Main Market gains on low volume

Rising stocks impacted the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market positively on Thursday, with the major market indices gaining even as the volume of stocks traded declined 17 percent from Wednesday’s level, and valued 63 percent less after trading in 58 securities, up from 54 on Wednesday, and ended with prices of  19 rising, 22 declining and 17 ending unchanged.
A total of 8,211,791 shares were exchanged for $46,473,139, down from 9,841,967 units at $126,164,786 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 141,583 units at $801,261 compared with 182,259 shares at $2,336,385 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 150,524 units at $1,318,558 versus 151,804 units at $1,392,640 previously. December closed with an average of 604,110 units at $4,072,598.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.14 million shares for 26.1 percent of total volume, followed by JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028 with 1.40 million units for 17.1 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway with 1.14 million units for 13.9 percent of trading, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.13 million units for 13.8 percent share of the day’s trade and Caribbean Producers with 1.02 million units for 12.4 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 2,760.22 points to 389,643.62, the JSE Main Index rose 2,168.78 points to 343,253.10 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.37 points to 82.24.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.1 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Barita Investments declined $3.84 to $90 with an exchange of 1,946 shares, Caribbean Producers gained 57 cents to end at $11.69 with 1,021,075 units crossing the market, GraceKennedy rose $1.29 to $81.25 in transferring 5,520 stocks. Jamaica Broilers shed 99 cents to end at $30 as investors exchanged 6,576 stock units, Jamaica Stock Exchange popped $1 to close at $15.50 in switching ownership of 11 units, JMMB Group lost 49 cents to finish at $32.95 after an exchange of 73,893 stock units. Kingston Wharves climbed $3.39 to $34.45 with a transfer of 432 shares, Margaritaville rallied $1.45 to $21 in the swapping of 404 stocks, Mayberry Investments fell 65 cents to $8.25 after 12,577 stocks cleared the market. Mayberry Jamaican Equities fell 51 cents to $13 with 4,704 stock units changing hands, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy shed 95 cents in closing at $83, trading 238 units, Palace Amusement climbed $72.39 to a 52 weeks’ high of $1,902.39 after a transfer of 305 shares. Sagicor Group gained 49 cents to end at $51.49, trading 5,138 stocks, Scotia Group rose $1.99 to $34 in an exchange of 343,004 shares, Seprod fell 53 cents to $67.45 after 3,703 stock units passed through the market. Stanley Motta rallied 50 cents to $5 with investors transferring 54,322 units and Supreme Ventures advanced 85 cents to $28 with 4,006 shares changing hands.
In the preference segmentProductive Business 10.50% preference share popped $12.01 in closing at $1,012.01 after switching ownership of 100 stock units, Eppley 5% preference share fell $1.90 to end at $23 in an exchange of 5 stocks, JMMB Group 7% preference share shed 67 cents to close at $2.22 with the swapping of 5,891 units and 138 Student Living preference share advanced $4.95 to $69.95 after exchanging 37 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Trading picked up on the JSE Main Market

The volume of stocks traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Wednesday rose 18 percent and the value jumped 259 percent higher than on Tuesday, from trading in 54 securities compared to 55 on Tuesday, with 17 rising, 24 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 3,634.92 points to 386,883.40, the JSE Main Index declined 2,841.02 points to 341,084.32 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.31 points to settle at 81.87.
A total of 9,841,967 shares were traded for $126,164,786 versus 8,360,004 units at $35,173,992 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 182,259 shares at $2,336,385 versus 152,000 shares at $639,527 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 151,804 units at $1,392,640  versus 147,119 units at $1,247,448 on the previous day. December closed with an average of 604,110 units at $4,072,598.
Jamaica Broilers led trading with 3.27 million shares for 33.2 percent of total volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.65 million units for 26.9 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 1.92 million units for 19.5 percent market share.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.1 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows seven stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Producers shed 65 cents in closing at $11 with a transfer of 80,830 shares, Eppley climbed $6.11 to $40.99 after 155 stocks passed through the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund declined $10 to $40, trading 4,063 stock units. First Rock Real Estate fell $1.09 to close at $12 with an exchange of 11,203 units, GraceKennedy dropped $4.04 to $79.96, with 14,408 stocks clearing the market, Jamaica Producers popped $1.98 to $21.98 as investors traded 12,321 stock units. Jamaica Stock Exchange shed 98 cents to end at $14.50 with investors transferring 23,485 units, JMMB Group rallied 64 cents to $33.44 with 40,018 shares changing hands, Kingston Wharves declined $4.38 to close at $31.06 in swapping 3,345 units. Margaritaville advanced $2.93 to $19.55 after a transfer of 28,413 shares, Massy Holdings rose 95 cents in closing at $79.95 with the swapping of 945 stock units, Mayberry Investments gained 60 cents to end at $8.90, trading 503 stocks. Palace Amusement jumped $225 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $1,830 in transferring 805 units, Proven Investments shed $2.40 in ending at $30 with 8,029 stocks changing hands, Scotia Group dipped $1.89 to $32.01 in trading 113,116 shares. Seprod advanced $1.98 to $67.98 in switching ownership of 1,733 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments lost 65 cents in closing at $12.85 after exchanging 53,468 shares.
In the preference segmentEppley 7.25% preference share dropped $2 to close at $20 after trading 2,480 units and Eppley 7.75% preference share lost 79 cents to finish at a 52 weeks’ low of $19.21 after an exchange of 200 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Trading dropped Tuesday on Main Market

Trading volume declined on Tuesday for a second consecutive day on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market with the volume of stocks traded declining 20 percent and the value 36 percent lower than on Monday, as 55 securities were traded compared to 60 on Monday, with prices of 27 rising, 16 declining and 12 ending unchanged.
A total of 8,360,004 shares were traded for a mere $35,173,992 compared with 10,386,916 units at $54,644,130 on Monday.
Trading averaged 152,000 units at $639,527  compared to 173,115 shares at $910,736 on Monday and month to date, an average of 147,119 stocks at $1,247,448 compared with 146,212 units at $1,360,406 on the previous day. December closed with an average of 604,110 units at $4,072,598.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.29 million shares for 39.3 percent of total volume followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.09 million units for 25 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 1.36 million units for 16.2 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 397.74 points to 390,518.32, the JSE Main Index advanced 417.79 points to 343,925.34 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.30 points to close at 82.18.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.3 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments shed $2.28 in ending at $94 with 2,972 shares crossing the exchange, Caribbean Cement declined 58 cents to $62.90 with a transfer of 1,166 units, Caribbean Producers rose 83 cents to $11.77 after trading 42,013 stocks.Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rallied 50 cents to close at $50 with an exchange of two stock units, GraceKennedy advanced $2.50 to $84 as investors swapped 26,554 stock units, Guardian Holdings climbed $3.01 to $508.01 after an exchange of 50 stocks. Jamaica Broilers gained 50 cents to close at $31 with investors transferring 7,991 units, Jamaica Producers fell $2.73 to $20 with the swapping of 31,927 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange advanced 93 cents to $15.48 in trading 1,400 shares. Kingston Wharves popped $5.19 to end at $35.44 with 1,801 units clearing the market, Massy Holdings dipped $1 to close at $79 after trading 120,708 stocks, NCB Financial rose 70 cents to $80 after 14,668 stock units cleared the market. Palace Amusement fell $40 to close at $1,605 in an exchange of 46 units, PanJam Investment shed 46 cents to end at $62.54 with a transfer of 19,265 stocks, Portland JSX lost 50 cents in closing at $10 after 1,003 stock units crossed the market. Proven Investments popped $2.40 to $32.40 in switching ownership of 17,118 shares and Scotia Group rose 80 cents to $33.90 in exchanging 107,362 stocks.
In the preference segmentJamaica Public Service 9.5% advanced $1 in closing at $3,000 after investors transferred 44 shares. JMMB Group 7% preference share rallied 43 cents to $2.89 after an exchange of 7,336 stock units, 138 Student Living preference share advanced $6.35 to close at $65 as investors exchanged 25 units and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share climbed $13 in closing at $120 in trading 404 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Plunge for JSE Main Market

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Stocks traded sharply down on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Monday with a dip in the volume of stocks traded at 73 percent lesser value than on Friday, after trading in 60 securities down from 56 on Friday, ending with 21 rising, 27 declining and 12 unchanged.
A total of 10,386,916 shares were traded for $54,644,130 versus 11,174,825 units at $201,235,785 on Friday.
Trading averaged 173,115 shares at $910,736 down from 199,550 shares at $3,593,496 on Friday and trading month to date averaged 146,212 units at $1,360,406 compared to 139,372 units at $1,474,729 on the previous day. December closed with an average of 604,110 units at $4,072,598.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 4.73 million shares for 45.5 percent of total volume followed by Pulse Investments with 2.05 million units for 19.7 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 960,501 units for 9.2 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index plunged 5,923.29 points to 390,120.58, the JSE Main Index dropped 4,673.08 points to 343,507.55 and the JSE Financial Index declined 0.43 points to close at 82.48.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.4 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows seven stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments declined $1.36 to close at $96.28 after an exchange of 4,332 shares, Caribbean Producers shed 91 cents to end at $10.94 after trading 52,746 units, Eppley fell $6.11 to $34.88 after a transfer of 42 stock units. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dipped 49 cents in closing at $49.50 with 112 stocks changing hands, First Rock Real Estate popped $1 to $13.03 in switching ownership of 525 stocks, Guardian Holdings dropped $19.50 to $505 with investors transferring 337 units. Jamaica Broilers rose 89 cents to $30.50 with 6,023 shares clearing the market, JMMB Group fell 40 cents to $32.60 trading 20,395 stock units, Kingston Wharves fell $4.35 to end at $30.25 in switching ownership of 137,494 stocks.NCB Financial shed 70 cents in closing at $79.30 in exchanging 55,225 units, Palace Amusement climbed $55 to $1,645 with 292 shares passing through the market, Portland JSX advanced $1.50 to $10.50 after a transfer of 218 stock units. Sagicor Group declined 65 cents to $51 in exchanging 10,698 stock units, Scotia Group lost 90 cents to close at $33.10 as investors swapped 46,782 shares, Seprod shed $2.90 in ending at $66 with a transfer of 3,584 units. Stanley Motta fell 50 cents to finish at $4.50 in trading 2,010 stocks, Supreme Ventures lost 49 cents to close at $27.01 after transferring 105,284 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments advanced 65 cents to end at $13.50 with an exchange of 10,368 stock units and Sygnus Real Estate Finance gained 50 cents to close at $9.90 with the swapping of 836 units.
In the preference segmentJMMB Group 7% preference share fell 44 cents to $2.46 in trading 71 stocks and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share dropped $13 in closing at $107 with the swapping of 187 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Gains for JSE Main Market

Trading picked up sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday, with an 84 percent increase in the volume of stocks traded with an 818 percent more value than Thursday, with 56 securities trading down from 60 on Thursday, with 18 rising, 22 declining and 16 ending unchanged.
The All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 3,559.20 points to 396,043.87, the JSE Main Index climbed 2,768.71 points to 348,180.63 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.93 points to settle at 82.91.
A total of 11,174,825 shares were traded for $201,235,785 compared to 6,062,724 units at $21,930,574 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 199,550 shares at $3,593,496, up from 101,045 stocks at $365,510 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 139,372 units at $1,474,729 compared to 120,650 units at $815,557 on the previous day. December closed with an average of 604,110 units at $4,072,598.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 6.36 million shares for 57 percent of total volume, followed by PanJam Investment with 1.07 million units for 9.6 percent of the day’s trade, Massy Holdings with 1.05 million units for 9.4 percent market share and Wisynco Group with 1.04 million units for 9.3 percent market share.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.4 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows ten stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Eppley gained 99 cents to close at $40.99 with an exchange of 1,110 shares, GraceKennedy lost 60 cents in closing at $81.40 after an exchange of 15,302 stocks, Guardian Holdings increased $2.50 to $524.50, with 199 units changing hands. Jamaica Broilers declined $1.39 to end at $29.61 with the swapping of 24,396 stock units, Kingston Wharves rose 55 cents to $34.60 with 4,215 stock units clearing the market, Massy Holdings advanced $1.50 to end at $80 and finishing with 1,054,501 units passing over the exchange.Palace Amusement shed $90 in ending at $1590 with investors trading 431 stocks, PanJam Investment rallied $6 to $63 with 1,072,233 shares crossing the market, Proven Investments climbed $2.01 in closing at $30 in an exchange of 170,085 stocks. Sagicor Group dropped $3.15 to close at $51.65 after exchanging 9,594 shares, Scotia Group fell 40 cents in ending at $34 in trading 1,236 units, Stanley Motta popped 90 cents to end at $5 as investors exchanged 198 stock units. Supreme Ventures dipped $2.37 in closing at $27.50 after 32,697 shares crossed the market and Sygnus Real Estate Finance fell 60 cents to close at $9.40, trading 11,699 stocks.
In the preference segmentEppley 5% preference share increased $2.25 to $24.73 with five units passing through the market and Eppley 7.25% preference share gained $4.80 to end at $22 after an exchange of 200 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Jamaica Stock Exchange poised for solid gains in 2023

The Jamaican stocks are poised to record a solid performance in 2023 as interest rates commence their decent later in the year and profits of several companies enjoy significant gains. Inflation has passed its peak from 2021 and trended down in 2022 towards the 7 percent level and is set to fall further. The economy is growing as the critical important tourism sector enjoys a sharp recovery while certain input costs have normalized.
Investors should focus on the likely performance of individual companies rather than on the market. Even as interest rates rose sharply last year, it did not prevent the majority of stocks in the Junior Market from rising and nearly half those in the Main Market, as profit growth out weight pressure from rising interest rates. Careful looking at economic developments for 2023 points to another year when there will be significant gains for several companies as profits of many will rise and BOJ cut interest rates as inflation subsides and foreign exchange inflows jump.

Dolphin Cove stock projected to a big 2023 winner.

A key investment observation reveals that good stocks deliver optimal returns over an extended period. They do not usually make huge moves over a short period that is clearly the case with ICTOP15 stocks that may deliver good gains over more than a one year period. Investors need to take this approach to benefit fully from the attractive bargains that currently exist in the Jamaica Stock Market, with uncertainty as to the exact timing of the market takeoff.
The past year ably demonstrated the need to focus on companies, not the markets. The Junior Market managed to record gains of 16.3 percent for the year, but it turned out to be lower than the 29.7 percent gain in 2021. The main market declined at the end of the year as investors forsook the financial institutions in the market and essentially pushed the market down due to rising interest rates.
2022 started off quite brightly for the Jamaica stock market, especially Junior stocks that were up 27 percent by May, but increasing interest rates placed a damper on the performance of stocks, even then, 31 stocks in the Junior Market rose, with 21 gaining 11 percent to a high of 312 percent and 15 stocks gaining over 50 percent, while 7 gained 100 percent or more.

Caribbean Producers to be a big 2023 winner

While the main market index fell 10 percent for the year, the market ended the year with gains in 22 stocks, with gains between two and 82 percent compared with 25 losers that fell from 3 percent to 40 percent. Increased profits were the primary reason for the gains in both markets.
In some cases, some stocks that did spectacularly well in the early part of the year pulled back markedly after Treasury bill rates surged to 8.5 percent in April and remained at that level to the end of the year.
The 80:20 rule of investing shows an average of only 20 percent of stocks that end in the TOP10 in a year repeat in the following one, while around 40 percent of the 10 worst performers end up in the TOP10 in the following year that is supported by data going back 40 years in the local market. The clear message is that investors should not get carried away with an outstanding winner and miss out on other opportunities.
The ICTOP15 are chosen based on the best information available, but there are many other factors to be aware of in 2023 that could swing in favour of or against the selections.  Shipping rates that were very high for some time in 2022 are almost back to normal and will result in lower input costs for many listed companies.

Everything Fresh to enjoy gains from tourism in 2023.

Interest rates have been hiked appreciably to contain inflation and foreign exchange demand. With inflation subsiding, interest rates could start a downward trek in the first half of the year and probably before the first quarter ends, when this happens it will be a positive sign for stocks. Worldwide, many prices are declining. Locally, tourism has bounced back strongly but could jump around 50 percent up to April and have significant implications for the broader economy and several listed companies. Bear in mind that the revenues and profits of companies will be affected in different ways and it will be challenging for forecasts to be always close to the mark. 2023 will be a year to key keen eyes on ongoing developments that could affect companies and their operations.
Two key features of the stock market in 2023 will be the strong rebound in tourism traffic in the first half of the year compared with 2022, this development will contribute to above average GDP growth in the first half but will also result in a significant jump in revenues and profits for a number of companies, Caribbean Producers, Dolphin Cove, Everything Fresh and Express Catering that are heavily involved in trading in that sector.

NCB Financial could move from worst performer to TOP10 2023 performer

For the first quarter of 2022 visitor arrivals to Jamaica averaged approximately 72 percent compared to 2019 and 97 percent in the April to June period but in September and October the numbers climbed approximately 12 percent over that for 2019 when this level of recovery is factored into the equation for 2023 visitor arrivals in the first half of the year quit drum by 30 percent or more.
Banks benefited from increased interest rates in 2022 and will continue to do so in 2023 and should see some reversal in losses recorded last year as other comprehensive income. Other companies that would benefit but to a lesser degree are companies such as Wisynco and Jamaica Broilers in addition ICInsider.com expect interest rates to decline during the course of the year and that should provide added stimulus to the market.
A lot of potential gains were not factored into stock prices in 2022 many attractive ones are cheap, investors only task is to make the right choices to pick up gains in 2023 that could be much more exciting than normal.
The Junior Market has 15 stocks representing 32 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 35, averaging 21 compared with the above average of the market. The top half of the market has an average PE of 18 and shows the extent of potential gains that lie ahead for the TOP 10 stocks. The situation in the Main Market is similar, with the 20 highest valued stocks priced at a PE of 15 to 110, with an average of 33.5 and 24 excluding the highest valued ones and 22 for the top half excluding the highest valued stock.
Some of the above gains will not be fully reflected until May 2023 as stocks move primarily in response to the release of results. Companies with earlier year ends will discount most of the earnings before those with later periods.
Main Market stocks did poorly as a group in 2022, but they should enjoy a better year in 2023 with interest rates falling during the year and investors are presented with many choices of undervalued stocks. Regardless, Junior Markets stocks are points to outperform those of the more mature companies in the Main Market.

JSE Main Market down for a second day

The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange ended trading on Thursday, with a decline in the index for a second day running after the number of stocks rising outpaced those falling three to two as the volume of stocks traded declined 18 percent while the value dropped 62 percent lower than Wednesday’s close, after trading in 60 securities compared to  58 on Wednesday, with 26 rising, 17 declining and 17 ending unchanged.
A total of 6,062,724 shares were traded for a mere $21,930,574 down from 7,402,150 units at $57,740,739 on Wednesday. Trading averages 101,045 units at $365,510 versus 127,623 shares at $995,530 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 120,650 units at $815,557, compared to 130,452 units at $1,040,581 on the previous day. December closed with an average of 604,110 units at $4,072,598.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 1.98 million shares for 32.6 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.73 million units at 28.6 percent of the day’s trade and Ciboney Group with 516,314 units for 8.5 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 2,146.48 points to close at 392,484.67, the JSE Main Index declined 1,737.67 points to 345,411.92 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.80 points to settle at 81.98.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.4 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments rallied 98 cents to close at $97.98, with 4,047 shares crossing the exchange, Berger Paints popped 55 cents to $10.40 with an exchange of 1,500 units, Caribbean Cement popped $1.46 after ending at $63.45 with a transfer of 1,330 stock units. Eppley rose $5.05 to $40 with 536 stocks clearing the market, First Rock Real Estate lost $1.79 in closing at $12.01, with 23,081 units crossing the market, GraceKennedy declined 60 cents to end at $82, as 16,204 stock units passed through the market. Guardian Holdings dipped $3 to $522 after an exchange of 416 stocks, Jamaica Producers climbed $1.07 in closing at $22.99, with 1,500 shares crossing the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange fell 80 cents ending at $14.50 in an exchange of 12,167 units. JMMB Group increased 40 cents to close at $33 while exchanging 58,195 stock units, Margaritaville shed $2.93 to close at $16.62 in exchanging 1,959 shares, Massy Holdings dropped $1.45 ending at $78.50 in switching ownership of 58,914 stocks. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy gained $9 to end at $84 with the swapping of 4,637 stock units, NCB Financial gained $1.79 to $80 trading 7,843 shares, Palace Amusement rallied $80 in closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $1680, with 404 stocks changing hands. Proven Investments increased 49 cents to end at $27.99 as investors exchanged 17,978 units, Sagicor Group rose $3.80 to $54.80 with investors transferring 854 stock units, Scotia Group popped $1.40 to close at $34.40 in trading 13,614 stocks. Seprod dropped 90 cents in ending at $69.10 after 1,831 shares changed hands, Stanley Motta shed $1.15 in closing at $4.10 after a transfer of 15,876 units and Supreme Ventures climbed $2.52 after ending at $29.87 with an exchange of 5,708 shares.
In the preference segmentJamaica Public Service 9.5% dipped $1 in closing at $2999 as a mere one share was traded.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Big fall for JSE Main Market

Stock rising and falling was almost evenly matched at the close of market activity on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday, following a 10 percent slide in the volume of stocks traded with a 14 percent lower value than on Tuesday and a significant fall in the market index, with 58 securities trading compared to 62 on Tuesday, with 23 rising, 24 declining and 11 ending unchanged.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 9,718.27 points to settle at 394,631.15, the JSE Main Index fell 9,089.39 points to settle at 347,149.59 and the JSE Financial Index lost 3.14 points to settle at 82.78.
A total of 7,402,150 shares were exchanged for $57,740,739 versus 8,252,097 units at $67,129,016 on Tuesday. Trading averages 127,623 units at $995,530 versus 133,098 shares at $1,082,726 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 130,452 units at $1,040,581. December closed with an average of 604,110 units at $4,072,598.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 2.53 million shares for 34.2 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.31 million units for 17.7 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 948,703 units for 12.8 percent market share.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.4 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows ten stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments shed $2.02 in closing at $97 with an exchange of 4,107 shares, Berger Paints lost 75 cents to end at $9.85 in trading 50 stock units, Eppley rose 95 cents to $34.95, with 90 stocks crossing the market. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund advanced $2.78 to close at $50 while exchanging 25 units, First Rock Real Estate rallied 80 cents in ending at $13.80 in an exchange of 29,271 shares, GraceKennedy dipped 40 cents to $82.60 with a transfer of 12,276 stock units. Guardian Holdings fell $44 to $525 and finished with 43,028 stocks changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange declined 69 cents to end at $15.30 after exchanging 22,960 units, Kingston Properties dropped 75 cents to close at $7, with 65,635 stock units clearing the market. Kingston Wharves dropped $2.33 in closing at $33.67, with 2,640 shares changing hands, Massy Holdings climbed 45 cents to $79.95 as 74,874 units were traded, Mayberry Investments fell 70 cents to end at $8 closing with 142,781 stocks passing through the market. NCB Financial lost $1.79 in closing at $78.21, with 78,538 units crossing the market, Palace Amusement popped $1 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $1600 as 267 stock units passed through the market, Portland JSX declined $1.55 to close at $9 as investors exchanged 100 stocks. Proven Investments gained 50 cents to end at $27.50 after exchanging 1,122 shares, Sagicor Group dipped $4 in closing at $51 in switching ownership of 2,788 stocks, Sagicor Real Estate Fund shed 86 cents to end at $8.67 as 11,700 stock units crossing the exchange. Scotia Group dipped $1.49 to close at $33 in exchanging 11,506 shares and Stanley Motta increased $1.23 after ending at $5.25 with a transfer of 244 units.
In the preference segmentJamaica Public Service 7% advanced $2.73 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $3.37 with the swapping of 30,000 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Main Market’s weak start to 2023

The strong rally in the last two weeks of December carried over into the new year on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Tuesday, but at a sedate level following 95 percent less the stocks trading with 96 percent less value than on Friday, after trading in 62 securities compared to 60 on Friday, with 15 rising, 30 declining and 17 ending unchanged.
A total of 8,252,097 shares were exchanged for $67,129,016 versus 182,913,713 units with a value of  $1,549,169,032 on Friday.
Trading averages 133,098 units at $1,082,726, compared to 3,048,562 shares at $25,819,484 on Friday. December closed with an average of 604,110 units at $4,072,598.
Transjamaican Highway was the lead trade, with 4.08 million shares for 49.4 percent of total volume followed by Pulse Investments with 986,612 units for 12 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Group with 569,539 units for 6.9 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,269.06 points to 404,349.42, the JSE Main Index climbed 342.34 points to 356,238.98 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.04 points to settle at 85.92.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.4 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments lost $3.49 to end at $99.02 in exchanging 5,385 shares, Eppley shed $4.53 after ending at $34 with an exchange of 277 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund fell $2.78 to close at $47.22 after a transfer of 7,299 stocks. First Rock Real Estate dipped 99 cents to $13 in an exchange of 11,451 stock units, GraceKennedy declined $1 in closing at $83 after 25,261 shares passed through the market, Guardian Holdings dropped $1 in closing at $569 in an exchange of 103 units. Jamaica Producers fell 98 cents to end at $21.92 while exchanging 2,552 stock units, JMMB Group ost $1.50 to close at $32.50 in trading 39,397 stocks, Kingston Properties dipped 75 cents to $7.75 in trading 7,741 stock units. Massy Holdings declined 49 cents to $79.50 with 2,324 shares crossing the market, Mayberry Investments shed $1.35 in closing at $8.70, with 47,687 units changing hands, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dropped $6 to end at $75 after an exchange of 498 stocks. Palace Amusement rose $100 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $1599 as investors exchanged 656 units, Portland JSX declined 45 cents in ending at $10.55 after an exchange of 10 stocks, Sagicor Group dropped $4 to end at $55 with 569,539 shares crossing the market. Sagicor Real Estate Fund rallied $1.03 in closing at 52 weeks’ high of $9.53 with investors transferring 25,279 stock units, Seprod shed $8 to close at $70 with 5,354 shares clearing the market, Stanley Motta dipped $1.28 to end at $4.02 in switching ownership of 118,860 stocks. Sterling Investments gained 49 cents in ending at $3.44 after 54,045 stock units changed hands, Supreme Ventures fell $2.50 to $27.50 with the swapping of 26,450 units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance fell 48 cents ending at $9.52 trading 5,106 stock units and Wisynco Group declined 49 cents to $17.50 with a transfer of 128,774 units.
In the preference segmentProductive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share climbed $13 to end at $120, with one share crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Main Market rallies but ends 2022 down

Trading picked up sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday to close out the year on a positive note, with the volume of stocks traded surging 1,574 percent as the value jumped 1,552 percent over trading levels on Thursday and helping the market to put in one of the most bullish two days for the year, but that could not prevent the market from falling lower than it opened the year. 
At the close, 60 securities traded compared to 58 on Thursday, with 28 rising, 16 declining and 16 ending unchanged and resulting in an exchange of 182,913,713 shares valued at $1,549,169,032 versus 10,927,858 units at $93,761,610 on Thursday, with Kingston Properties chipping in with 136 million shares carrying a value of $1.05 billion.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 8,864.59 points to settle at 403,080.36, to add 18,791 points in just two days but ended the year down 8 percent, the JSE Main Index popped 4,672.83 points to 355,896.64, with gains of 10,764 point over the past two days and a 10.2 percent fall for the year, while  the JSE Financial Index rallied 0.92 points to settle at 85.88 and is down 12.4 percent for the year.
Trading averaged 3,048,562 shares at $25,819,484, up from 188,411 units at $1,615,711 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 604,110 units at $4,071,008, compared with  467,038 stocks at $2,851,468 on the previous day. November closed with an average of 202,406 units at $1,736,493.
Kingston Properties led trading with 136.04 million shares for 74.4 percent of total volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 33.49 million units for 18.3 percent of the day’s trade. Barita Investments ended trading with 2.56 million units for 1.4 percent of the market trade, Radio Jamaica with 2.02 million units for 1.1 percent share of the market, Transjamaican Highway with 1.44 million units for 0.8 percent of trading and Sagicor Group with 1.17 million units for 0.6 percent market share.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 15.3 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Barita Investments rose $2.51 to close at $102.51 with the swapping of 2,560,121 shares, Berger Paints gained $1.40 in closing at $10.60 after exchanging two stock units, Caribbean Cement gained $1.99 to $61.99 while exchanging 187,977 units. Eppley declined $1.45 to end at $38.53, with  140 stocks crossing the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund climbed $3.42 to $50, with a transfer of 317,335 stocks, GraceKennedy rallied $2 in closing at $84 with an exchange of 129,287 stock units. Guardian Holdings shed $65 to end at $570, with 406 shares crossing the exchange, Jamaica Producers popped 90 cents to $22.90 in an exchange of 42,592 units, Kingston Properties advanced $1.45 in ending at $8.50, with 136,036,412 shares clearing the market. Kingston Wharves climbed $3.66 to close at $3, with 161,557 units changing hands, Mayberry Investments popped $1.21 to close at $10.05 with investors exchanging 236,867 stocks, Mayberry Jamaican Equities dipped 47 cents in closing at $13.51 as 30,300 stock units passed through the market. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy lost $2 to end at $81 after trading 164 units, Palace Amusement advanced $2 to $1499 in trading 1,198 stock units, Portland JSX rallied 90 cents to $11 as investors exchanged 12,027 stocks. Proven Investments rose 85 cents to $27 and closed with 511 shares changing hands, Radio Jamaica gained 50 cents in ending at $2.60 in an exchange of 2,016,480 units, Sagicor Group increased $6 in closing at $59 after a transfer of 1,170,151 stock units. Sagicor Real Estate Fund rose 60 cents to end at $8.50, with 230,043 stocks crossing the market, Seprod advanced $8 to close at $78 with a transfer of 217,964 shares, Stanley Motta gained $1.29 in ending at $5.30 after trading 142,927 shares and Wisynco Group rose 49 cents to close at $17.99 in switching ownership of 189,234 stock units.
In the preference segmentJamaica Public Service 9.5% rallied $40 to end at $3000 after just one share crossed the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.