Jamaica Stock Exchange loses ground


Trading closed Friday with a decline in the market indices on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulting in a rise in the volume and value of stocks changing hands compared to Thursday. Trading resulted in the prices of 35 shares rising, 39 declining and 38 remaining firm.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index declined 1,230.91 points to end at 333,537.63, the All Jamaican Composite Index fell by 335.57 points to close 368,798.75, the JSE Main Index shed 1,181.55 points to 323,498.85, the Junior Market Index fell 14.12 points to settle at 3,376.19 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 1.39 points to 193.69.
At the close of the market, 21,315,153 shares were traded in all three markets, up from 14,820,560 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $86.15 million, up from $72.98 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 243,669 shares for US$12,522 compared to 425,662 units at US$24,730 on Thursday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 10.15 million shares, followed by Caribbean Producers with 2.33 million stocks and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 795,091 units.
In Junior Market trading, Kintyre Holdings led with 3.83 million shares, followed by MFS Capital Partners with 503,062 stocks and Future Energy with 205,735 units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share increased $2 in closing at $200.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.3 based on 2025-26 earnings and 15.3 based on 2024 historical earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the other, more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making. The PE ratio chart covers all the ordinary shares that are listed on Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2024 and 2025 actual or projected earnings, excluding any major one time income or expense.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the sector average, not moving too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals, while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock. The net asset value of each company is incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company. the 

Trading plunges for Jamaica Stock Exchange


Trading closed with a marked drop in the value and volume of stocks changing hands on Thursday compared with the prior day on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. The day’s activity resulted in mixed fortunes in major indices of the Main Market, while the Junior Market index jumped and the JSE USD Market closed higher. At the end of trading, prices of 41 shares rose, 38 declined and 34 remained firm.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index popped 645.54 points to 334,768.54, the All Jamaican Composite Index sank 839.63 points to conclude trading at 369,134.32, the JSE Main Index rallied 460.80 points to 324,680.40, the Junior Market Index advanced 28.82 points to 3,390.31 and the JSE USD Market Index gained 3.12 points to settle at 195.08.
At the close of trading, 14,820,560 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 25,830,748 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $72.98 million, down from $143.57 million on the previous day. The JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 425,662 shares for US$24,730, down from 1,304,395 units at US$51,957 on Wednesday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.98 million shares, followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.13 million stocks and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 796,000 units.
In Junior Market trading, JFP led with 1.74 million shares, followed by Kintyre Holdings with 1.62 million stocks and Future Energy with 387,183 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% shed $18 to finish at $2,580, 138 Student Living preference share sank $53.99 to $198 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% climbed $123 to close at $1,140.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.4 based on 2025-26 projected earnings and 15.2 based on 2024 historical earnings.
The ICInsider.com PE chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help in decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all the ordinary shares that are listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2024 and 2025 actual or projected earnings, excluding any major one time income or expense.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the sector average, not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals, while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock. The net asset value of each company is incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.

Jamaica Stock Exchange trading plunges


Following the significant 51 million share trade in Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) stock on Tuesday, trading on the JSE market dropped sharply on Wednesday, resulting in a major decline in the volume of stocks exchanged and a substantially lower value than on Tuesday. At the end of trading, the prices of 31 shares rose, 59 declined, 17 remained firm, and all the major market indices fell.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 1,400.46 points to end at 334,123.00, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 2,196.71 points to end at 369,973.95, the JSE Main Index declined 963.73 points to end at 324,219.60, the Junior Market Index sank 67.36 points to 3,361.49 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 1.59 points to close at 191.96.
At the close, 25,830,748 shares were exchanged in all markets, down from 132,156,879 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $143.57 million, down from $1.88 billion on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 1,304,395 shares for US$51,957 compared to 2,975,098 units at US$101,016 on Tuesday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading on the market, with 11.32 million shares, followed by Wigton Energy with 1.41 million stocks and Radio Jamaica with 1.15 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Access Financial led with 1.70 million shares, followed by Lumber Depot with 1.14 million stocks and Kintyre Holdings with 942,862 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% advanced $18 to end at $2,598 and 138 Student Living preference share rose $1.99 in closing at $252.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.3 based on 2025-26 earnings and 15.1 based on 2024 historical earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the other detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making. The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2024 and 2025 actual or projected earnings, excluding any major one time income or expense.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the sector average, not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock. The net asset value of each company is incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.

Trading surge on Jamaica Stock Exchange 


 Investors closed out trading on the final day of the ninth month of the year on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a sharp rise in the volume and value of stocks exchanged, compared to Monday. The Main Market benefited considerably with huge trades in shares of the Jamaica Stock Exchange followed by Wigton Energy and Supreme Ventures and ended with a solid rise in market indices, while the Junior Market index and the JSE USD Market rose. At the end of trading, prices of 59 shares rose, 37 declined and 23 remained firm.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index jumped 3,952.45 points to settle at 335,523.46, at the same time the All Jamaican Composite Index surged 5,169.78 points to 372,170.66, the JSE Main Index rallied 4,105.80 points to end at  325,183.33, the Junior Market Index popped just 3.30 points to wrap up trading at 3,428.85 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 1.07 points to end at 193.55.
At the conclusion of trading on the market, 132,156,879 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 32,752,486 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $1.88 billion, up from a mere $124.34 million on the previous day. The JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 2,975,098 shares for US$101,016 compared to 1,583,893 units at US$52,197 on Monday.
In Main Market activity, the Jamaica Stock Exchange led with 51.22 million shares, followed by Wigton Energy with 20.73 million stocks and Supreme Ventures with 10.48 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Fosrich led with 3.10 million shares. followed by Derrimon Trading with 2.61 million stocks and Regency Petroleum with 2.24 million units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% lost $18 to $2,580, 138 Student Living preference share increased $50 in closing at $250, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% climbed $14.90 to finish at $1,017 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% popped $1.91 and ended at $104.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 12.8 based on 2025-26 earnings and 15.3 based on 2024 historical earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making. The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, and are grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2024 and 2025 actual or projected earnings, excluding any major one time income or expense.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the sector average, not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals, while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock. The net asset value of each company is incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.

Solid gains for all 3 JSE Markets


The volume of stock traded on Friday climbed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, with the value moderately lower than on Thursday. At the close of trading, all the JSE markets gained, with a lopsided winners-to-losers ratio, following the prices of 65 stocks rising, 25 declining and 25 remaining firm.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index jumped 4,475.32 points to conclude trading at 330,789.45, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 3,067.95 points to end at 367,321.82, the JSE Main Index climbed 4,299.36 points to 320,385.32, the Junior Market Index popped 50.86 points to end at 3,408.76 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 4.86 points to settle at 191.97.
At the close of trading, 49,416,923 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 37,091,732 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $204.55 million, down from $217.52 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 626,353 shares for US$69,226 compared to 179,556 units at US$84,417 on Thursday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 15.0 million shares, followed by Wigton Energy with 2.24 million stocks and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 1.25 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Future Energy led with 10.10 million shares, followed by Jamaican Teas with 2.77 million stocks and Fosrich with 2.07 million units.
In the preference segment, Sygnus Credit Investments 10% climbed $1.85 to close at $105.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used in valuing stocks, ended at 13.3 utilising the 2025-26  earnings and 15.1 based on 2024 historical earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the other detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help in decision-making. The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2024 and 2025 actual or projected earnings, excluding any major one time income or expense.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used to make rational investment decisions that are close to the sector average, not deviating too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals, while not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock. The net asset value of each company is incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.

Jamaica’s tourist traffic jumps over 60% in January

Tourist traffic to Jamaica is up strongly in January over the same period in 2022 data released by Aeroportuario del Pacifico shows, as Sangster’s International airport in Montego Bay handled 448,400 inbound and outbound passengers, an increase of 67.6 percent over the 267,600 handled in January 2022.

This is the clearest sign of boom time in Jamaica’s tourism industry.

Norman Manley Airport in Kingston, Jamaica handled 59.7 percent more inbound and outbound passengers amounting to 146,100 in January this year than the 91,500 handled in January 2022.
According to the managers of the airports, Sangster’s International Airport handles 70 percent of all tourist traffic to the island.
The numbers suggest that tourist incoming traffic is on or around the record numbers for January 2020 that saw 227,200 arrivals into the country.
According to the Jamaica Tourist Board, total stopover arrivals last year were 39.2 percent lower than in 2019 and 42 percent lower than the previous best January on record in 2020 prior to the closure of the sector in that year.
The data have significant implications for many areas of the Jamaican economy. The first visible signs will be high room occupancy for hotels and increased employment compared to the same period last year as hotels employ more workers to care for guests, with the multiplier effects that it has on other areas of the economy, such as transportation, entertainment, provision of food and farmers who supply goods to the sector.

Caribbean Producers to be a big 2023 winner

The big surge coupled with the reopening of the Jamalco Alumina plant in Clarendon could result in the biggest growth in GDP for the first quarter in the country’s history since Statin has been reporting quarterly data on economic growth.
By extension the government will collect more revenues and the country will earn more foreign exchange. A number of listed companies will benefit in Major ways and others less significantly. The major beneficiaries are Caribbean Producers, Dolphin Cove, Everything Fresh and Express Catering. Lesser beneficiaries are Jamaica Producers, Wisynco, GraceKennedy, Cargo Handlers, Knutsford Express and Fontana with stores in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.

Bulls push Junior Market over 3,300

Bulls let out their fury on bears in the Junior Market pushing the market index up 87.62 points at 10:15 am to reach 3,320.05, the highest level since October last year.
Amongst the stocks contributing to the big surge were Blue Power that rose to $11.95, Cargo Handlers $10.95, Elite Diagnostic at a record high of $5.99, Fontana traded as high as $8.99, Jamaican Teas $4.56, with third quarter results, more than tripling that of 2018 to $118 million versus $44 million and General Accident  at $4.50.
The JSE All Jamaican Composite Index gained 10.675.81 points to a record of 565,028.91, the JSE Index advanced 9,701.20 points to a record high of 514,451.64 and the JSE Financial Index rose 2.53 points a record of 137.90. Wisynco traded at a new record high of $28, subsequently NCB Financial traded at an all-time high of $229.99.

Watch Barita Investments again

Barita Investments headquarters

Barita Investments rose sharply last week to close at a record high of $83 after posting blockbuster quarterly results, the price could climb higher and is still one to watch.
NCB Financial continues to create waves and seems poised to move higher over the coming months with the next quarter’s earnings due out next week. Investors are eagerly awaiting them.
Caribbean Cement failed to break higher during the past week, with results for the June quarter due out at the end of July, investors could get an incentive to buy the stock more aggressively.  Sygnus Credit Investments is coming into its own with limited supply of the stock for sale. Wisynco Group came back into the spotlight with demand pushing the price just under $20.
Fontana that continues to trade around $6, seems poised to slowly move higher as the new Kingston branch, moves closer to opening in September.

Wisynco came into inctreased buying in the past week.

Stationery and Office Supplies still has little supply offered for sale and could break over the $10 barrier at any time, especially with the June quarter ended. Elite Diagnostic with rising demand and slowing supplies seems set to bounce, having traded at $5. The company’s new branch in St Ann is slowing being built just outside of St Anns Bay at Drax Hall and may not be far from completion. Elite has more than 418,000 units on offer at $5 and that could constrain upward price movement for some time, if the selling remains during the week. Lasco Financial price bounces around $4.50. The stock is undervalued and could see increased buying interest, ahead of the June quarter results.
A number of other companies will be releasing 2019 second quarter results, between this week and mid- August that could move prices.

Cement is primed to watch

Caribbean Cement is the clear leader as the stock to watch for this week, with the company posting blowout first quarter profit of $1.13 billion or $1.33 per share up from only $348 million in 2018.
The sharp rise in profit resulted mainly from the removal of lease of equipment cost and cost of imported cement. The result is a tad below what IC Insider.com forecast of $7 per share for 2019would suggest, but is in keeping with that forecast on the basis of expected pick up in sales as the year rolls on.
The head of one of the country’s largest brokerage houses, advised his team about the results. “Please make sure all CCC on the sell side are cancelled before market opens on Monday. All clients must be informed of the results before any sales orders can be placed.” The coded message here is that the stock price will jump sharply in trading on Monday. Keep on watching this one.
Sagicor Group had buying up to $44 on Friday and should continue to attract investors’ interest. NCB Financial Group came out with a fall in profit for the March quarter and is unlikely to see buying coming in to move the price even if they announce the closure of the Guardian acquisition of majority shares. Supreme Ventures released flat March results that may put pressure on the stock price that is selling close to 30 times 2019 earnings.

Wisynco, most attractively priced main market stock.

Continue to keep an eye on Wisynco that closed at $12 on Friday with increased buying interest during the past week as the company continues to expand the volume of products it represents that augurs well for increased profit going forward. The stock remains one of the most appealing main market buys currently. RJR and Seprod remain attractive buys and continue on the watch list along with Barita Investments that seems set to post very strong second quarter results.
The picture for the Junior Market is unclear but with Caribbean Cream full year results to February, are now due and will provide information in directing the stock price. Added to the list are Honey Bun that holds its annual general meeting on Monday that may provide price sensitive information and Stationery and Office Supplies.

Watch Sagicor & NCB

Sagicor Cayman

Sagicor Group closed the shortened Easter week at $45 up from $38.15 at the close of the prior week following release of 2018 full year results.
The price could move higher this week with limited supply for sale on the market, below $50.
Helped by the sharp rise in the price of Sagicor, the main market climbed more than 8,000 points for the week, with the biggest move coming on Thursday of just under 7,000 points, while the Junior Market had no clear direction.
Trading for the week suggests that investors are over the impact on the market of the Initial Public Offer of Wigton Windfarm that opened on the 17 of April.
The release of some of the 2019 first quarter results are due late this week and are worth watching. Chief amongst them will be Caribbean Cement, NCB Financial Group and Supreme Ventures. While NCB’s results are due on Thursday and investors could react to them on Friday, others may not comeuntil after trading on Friday, as such may not have any impact until the following week.

NCB Financial traded at $145 on the JSE on Thursday.

Investors should keep an eye on, Wisynco that continues to hold just under $12. The company continues to expand the volume of products and companies it represents that augurs well for increased profit going forward. The stock remains one of the most appealing main market buys currently. RJR and Seprod remain attractive buys, continue on the watch list and are joined by Barita Investments.
The picture for the Junior Market is unclear but with Caribbean Cream full year results to February, due by the end of the week, it will be interesting how investors treat with it.