Trading climbed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 43 percent and the value 58 percent more than Tuesday following trading in 40 securities similar to the outcome on Tuesday and ended with 18 rising, 13 declining and nine unchanged but that failed to save the market index from dropping at the close following a jump in the index in the morning session.
Investors traded 4,766,135 shares for $10,223,648 compared with 3,334,500 units at $6,456,830 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 119,153 shares at $255,591 compared to 83,363 units at $161,421 on Tuesday with the month to date, averaging 132,501 stock units at $288,790 compared to 134,174 shares at $292,953 on the previous day and markedly lower than November with an average of 262,280 units at $587,545, after the market opened in the 3,750 range.
Spur Tree Spices led trading with 1.02 million shares for 21.3 percent of total volume followed by Fosrich with 626,665 units for 13.1 percent of the day’s trade and Dolla Financial with 626,493 units for 13.1 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index lost 41.33 points to close at 3,682.38 after the market traded in the 3,750 range in early market activity.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.2, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Blue Power rallied 35 cents and ended at $3 as 69,678 stocks passed through the market, following the release of half year results with profit up 330 percent to $70.5 million, Cargo Handlers rose 95 cents to close at $14.95 with an exchange of 110 units, Caribbean Assurance Brokers rose 26 cents to $2.50, with 1,232 shares clearing the market. Caribbean Flavours popped 20 cents in closing at $1.50 with a transfer of 135,000 stock units, Derrimon Trading dipped 17 cents to end at $1.86, with 75,221 shares crossing the market, Dolla Financial increased 10 cents in closing at $2.50 with investors trading 626,493 stock units. Dolphin Cove fell 17 cents to $17 and closed with an exchange of 614 stocks, Elite Diagnostic advanced 8 cents and ended at $1.74 with investors trading 29,491 units, Express Catering gained 12 cents to end at $3.95, with an exchange of 415 shares. Fontana skidded 49 cents to close at $10 after a transfer of 53,519 stocks, GWest Corporation popped 12 cents to 95 cents with shareholders swapping 300,000 units, Indies Pharma lost 16 cents to end at $2.83 after an exchange of 130 stock units. 
Jamaican Teas climbed 16 cents in closing at $2.46, with the trading of 14,560 shares, Lasco Distributors declined 46 cents to $3.52 with stakeholders exchanging 4,272 units, Lasco Manufacturing shed 43 cents to end at $4.20 in switching ownership of 40,621 stocks. Mailpac Group dropped 8 cents to $2.02 as investors exchanged 18,030 stock units, Main Event popped 30 cents to $13.40 after 11,050 shares were traded, Paramount Trading advanced 15 cents in closing at $1.67 with traders dealing in 23 units. Regency Petroleum rose 18 cents and ended at $2.38 in an exchange of 216,183 stocks and Tropical Battery shed 15 cents to close at $1.80 with investors dealing in 85,794 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading jumps on the JSE USD Market
Trading picked up on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks changing hands surging 613 percent with 35 percent higher valued than Tuesday, resulting from trading in three securities, down from eight on Tuesday with two rising, one declining.
A total of 730,855 shares were traded for US$13,102, up from 102,487 stock units at US$9,725 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 243,618 units at US$4,367 compared with 12,811 shares at US$1,216 on Tuesday, with a month to date average of 32,990 shares at US$1,777 compared to 18,949 units at US$1,604 on the previous day, down from November with an average of 249,102 units for US$14,204.
The US Denominated Equities Index increased 1.76 points to culminate at 223.76.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.2. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending and or around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Sygnus Credit Investments gained 0.19 of one cent to end at 8.9 US cents with investors transferring 1,500 stock units and Transjamaican Highway shed 0.07 of a cent in closing at 1.65 US cents with 729,305 shares crossing the market.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.25% preference share popped US$1.39 to close at US$11.40 with an exchange of 50 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Market closed with mixed fortunes
Trading levels rose on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks changing hands exceeding the near 10 million shares on Tuesday fueled by a rise in value and resulting in the Main Market and Junior Market declining and the USD market closing marginally higher as Main Market stocks dominated.
Both GraceKennedy and Guardian Holdings led rising stocks with a gain of $2, followed by Kingston Wharves up $1.141 but declining stocks held the upper hand with Eppley dropping $2.49, Sagicor Group with a loss of $1.98, followed by NCB Financial down $1.85 and Massy Holdings off $1.44.
The JSE Combined Market Index popped 524.68 points to close trading at 323,875.43, while the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 384.80 points to end at 346,482.52, the JSE Main Index dipped 173.48 points to wrap up trading at 310,953.91. The Junior Market Index gave most of the 54.04 points gained on Tuesday with a drop of 41.33 points to settle at 3,682.38to settle at 3,723.71 and the JSE USD Market Index gained 1.76 points to close at
Investors traded 11,954,522 shares, in all three markets, down from 9,863,787 units on Tuesday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounts to a mere $48.78 million up from $36 million on Tuesday. The JSE USD market closed after 730,855 shares were traded, for US$13,102 compared to 102,487 units at US$9,725 on Tuesday.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share increased $1.26 and ended at $6.76 Jamaica Public Service 7% fell $1.50 to $44.5 and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share skidded $11.15 to $105.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.2 on 2022-23 earnings and 13.8 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options in the local stock market successfully. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and 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 reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Rising stocks dominate Trinidad Exchange
Trading picked up on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 48 percent with the value 15 percent more than on Tuesday, resulting in 17 securities trading compared with 16 on Tuesday, with seven stocks rising, two declining and eight remaining unchanged with trading showing improved results over Tuesday when declining stocks overpowered those rising.
Investors exchanged 162,542 shares for $3,226,702 versus 110,164 stock units at $2,810,683 on Tuesday.
An average of 9,561 units were traded at $189,806 compared to 6,885 shares at $175,668 on Tuesday, with trading month to date averaging 13,201 shares at $162,932 compared with 13,634 units at $159,738 on the previous day. November closed with an average of to 19,241 shares for $227,402.
The Composite Index rallied 7.05 points to 1,181.34, the All T&T Index gained 14.25 points to settle at 1,780.33, the SME Index remained unchanged at 71.95 and the Cross-Listed Index fell 0.09 points to lock up trading at 75.63.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Agostini’s dropped 30 cents to end at $68.20 after an exchange of 40 stocks, Angostura Holdings popped $1.50 to $18.50 in switching ownership of 15 units, Ansa McAl rallied 10 cents and ended at $55.60 after a transfer of 1,267 shares. Calypso Macro Investment Fund increased 64 cents to close at $23.40 with shareholders swapping 15 stock units, First Citizens Group ended at $49 after investors traded 920 shares, FirstCaribbean International Bank remained at $7 with an exchange of 39,450 stock units. GraceKennedy climbed 12 cents to close at $3.98 with 19,608 units changing hands, Guardian Holdings shed 74 cents in closing at $17.26 with investors transferring 1,000 stocks, JMMB Group remained at $1.29 after an exchange of 200 units. Massy Holdings ended at $4.40 with investors transferring 58,845 stocks,
National Enterprises ended at $3.55 after an exchange of 31 shares, National Flour Mills rose 2 cents to end at $1.80 with traders dealing in 150 stock units. Republic Financial rallied $1 to $124 after 16,240 shares crossed the exchange, Scotiabank advanced 17 cents and ended at $69.97, with 3,422 units changing hands, Trinidad & Tobago NGL ended at $10.50 with investors exchanging 20,864 stocks. Trinidad Cement ended at $2.95 with 100 stock units clearing the market and West Indian Tobacco remained at $9.07 in an exchange of 375 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Mayberry Group swapped for Mayberry Investments
Mayberry Investments ceased to be listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange as of the 13th of December and is replaced by Mayberry Group, the new holding company for the group.
The change follows the court’s approval of the reorganization of the group and permission of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. Shareholders of Mayberry Investments (MIL) will get shares in the group company in exchange for their existing shareholdings in MIL.
Mayberry has shareholders’ equity of $24.5 billion and total assets of $58 billion as of September 2023. MIL last traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange at $8.08, so far there is no trading in the new shares and no stocks are being offered for sale.
Junior Market surge
Trading activity sent the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange surging on Tuesday by 54.04 points to 3,723.71, following a sharp reduction in the volume and value of stocks traded, as volume dropped 57 percent from that on Monday, with a 46 percent lower value following trading in 40 securities compared with 38 on Monday and ended with the prices of 18 rising, 17 declining and five closing unchanged.
Investors traded 3,334,500 shares for $6,456,830 compared with 7,705,493 units at $11,922,249 on Monday.
Trading averaged 83,363 shares at $161,421, compared with 202,776 units at $313,743 on Monday with the month to date, averaging 134,174 units at $292,953 compared with 141,459 stock units at $311,810 on the previous day. November closed with an average of 262,280 units at $587,545.
EduFocal led trading with 761,518 shares for 22.8 percent of total volume, Tropical Battery followed with 497,599 units for 14.9 percent of the day’s trade and MFS Capital Partners with 361,282 units for 10.8 percent market share.
he Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.1, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging rose 36 cents to end at $2.66 with just two stocks crossing the exchange, Blue Power shed 42 cents to $2.65 with a transfer of 400 units, ahead of the company reporting profit for the second quarter surging 221 per cent to $33 million, Cargo Handlers declined 95 cents and ended at $14 with investors dealing in 711 shares. Caribbean Assurance Brokers lost 11 cents to close at $2.24 in an exchange of 1,000 stock units, Caribbean Cream dropped 69 cents in closing at $3 with 706 shares clearing the market, Caribbean Flavours fell 20 cents to $1.30 after a transfer of 2,067 units. Consolidated Bakeries rallied 10 cents to end at $1.90, with 5,000 stocks crossing the market, Derrimon Trading popped 8 cents in closing at $2.03 with an exchange of 467 stock units, Dolphin Cove gained 60 cents to close at $17.17 after 508 shares changed hands. 
EduFocal increased 16 cents and ended at $1.87 with traders dealing in 761,518 units, Elite Diagnostic dipped 18 cents to $1.66 after an exchange of 1,476 stocks, Fontana climbed 29 cents and ended at $10.49 with investors transferring 1,984 stock units. GWest Corporation skidded 17 cents in closing at 83 cents after 15,094 shares passed through the market, Honey Bun fell 10 cents to end at $6.30 with stakeholders exchanging 7,308 stock units, Indies Pharma advanced 17 cents to close at $2.99 in trading 37,465 units. Lasco Distributors popped 37 cents to $3.98 with 17,682 stock units crossing the market, Lasco Financial lost 10 cents in closing at $1.80 as investors exchanged 850 shares, Mailpac Group declined 9 cents to end at $2.10 with investors trading 4,515 stocks. Paramount Trading shed 22 cents and ended at $1.52 with shareholders swapping 1,000 units and Tropical Battery climbed 17 cents to close at $1.95 in an exchange of 497,599 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading dived on the JSE Main Market
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining by just 4 percent, as the value plunged 68 percent compared to Monday, with trading of 51 securities down from 54 on Monday, with 18 rising, 15 declining and 18 ending unchanged.
A total of 6,426,800 shares were traded for $29,546,040 compared with 6,685,964 units at $92,499,615 on Monday.
Trading averaged 126,016 shares at $579,334 versus 123,814 units at $1,712,956 on Monday and month to date, an average of 150,457 units at $1,278,643, compared with 153,781 units at $1,373,749 on the previous day, down sharply from November with an average of 275,587 units at $2,488,949.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.03 million shares for 47.2 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.12 million units for 17.4 percent of the day’s trade and Ciboney Group with 505,742 units for 7.9 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 63.64 points to end the day at 346,097.72, the JSE Main Index rallied 477.68 points to end trading at 311,127.39 and the JSE Financial Index increased 0.19 points to conclude trading at 67.44.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.4. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Producers increased 38 cents to $8.99 with an exchange of 28,284 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund climbed $3.50 to end at $39.50, with 500 stocks crossing the market, First Rock Real Estate popped 60 cents in closing at $7.45 with an exchange of 8,000 shares. GraceKennedy declined by $3 to $74 with shareholders swapping 16,173 stock units, Guardian Holdings fell $12.95 to close at $390 in switching ownership of 138 shares, Jamaica Producers rallied $1 to close at $23 after an exchange of 8,930 stocks. Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 94 cents and ended at $10.14 with investors dealing in 941 units, JMMB Group gained 65 cents to close at $25.75 after an exchange of 16,986 stock units, Key Insurance shed 52 cents in closing at $1.98, with 100,000 shares changing hands. 
Massy Holdings advanced 44 cents to end at $89.94 in an exchange of 93 stock units, NCB Financial rose $1.95 to $66.95, with 9,960 units crossing the market, Pan Jamaica dropped 26 cents to $49.50 in trading 4,904 stocks. Proven Investments advanced 50 cents to end at $23 and closed after 767 shares were traded, Sagicor Group popped $1.98 in to $41.98 after a transfer of 15,408 units, Seprod lost $2.90 to close at $70 with an exchange of 14,600 stocks. Supreme Ventures rallied 80 cents to $24.90 after 101,992 stock units passed through the market, Sygnus Credit Investments skidded 55 cents in closing at $10.70 with stakeholders exchanging 9,656 shares and Wisynco Group increased 96 cents to close at $20.96, with 18,115 stock units clearing the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share dipped $1.40 and ended at $5.50 with investors transferring 920 stocks and Jamaica Public Service 7% climbed $6 to end at $46 after exchanging 838 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading jumps for JSE USD Market
Trading picked up on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks changing hands jumping 2,626 percent valued at 2,164 percent more than on Monday and resulting in the trading of eight securities, compared to three on Monday with three rising, one declining and four ending unchanged.
Overall, 102,487 shares were traded, for US$9,725 compared to 3,759 units at US$430 on Monday.
Trading averaged 12,811 units at US$1,216, up from just 1,253 shares at a mere US$143 on Monday, with the month to date averaging 18,949 shares at US$1,604 compared with 20,276 units at US$1,688 on the previous day, well off November with an average of 249,102 units for US$14,204.
The US Denominated Equities Index shed 1.87 points to 221.96.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.2. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending and or around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Margaritaville remained at 11 US cents with an exchange of 1,672 units, Proven Investments popped 0.45 of one cent and ended at 13.52 US cents with 51,684 stocks changing hands, 
Sterling Investments lost 0.01 of a cent to end at 1.58 US cents while trading 5 shares. Sygnus Credit Investments ended at 8.71 US cents after an exchange of 23,000 stock units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share gained 0.11 of a cent to close at 6.71 US cents, with 81 shares clearing the market and Transjamaican Highway ended at 1.72 US cents while exchanging 25,969 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 6% preference share rose 19.33 cents to end at US$1.4683 with investors transferring 70 stocks and JMMB Group 5.75% remained at US$2 in an exchange of 6 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Big gains for Main Market stocks as Junior Market surges
Trading dropped sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Tuesday, with trading in less than 10 million shares compared to just over 14 million on Monday at a value that was a fraction of that on Monday’s and leading to a modest rise in the Main Market while the junior Market surged sharply from Monday’s close and the USD market closed marginally lower, but Main Market stocks 
dominated gainers with Eppley Caribbean Properties Fund jumping $3.50, Sagicor Group up $1.98, followed by NCB Financial $1.95, Jamaica Producers added $1, followed by Wisynco Group up $0.96 and Jamaica Stock Exchange $0.94. Stocks ending with notable declines are Guardian Holdings down $12.95, GraceKennedy down $3, followed by Seprod with a fall of $2.90.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index popped 921.00 points to close at 324,400.11, the All Jamaican Composite Index slipped 63.64 points to end at 346,097.72, the JSE Main Index gained 477.68 points to close at 311,127.39. The Junior Market Index surged 54.04 points to settle at 3,723.71 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 1.83 points to 222.00.
Investors traded 9,863,787 shares, in all three markets, down from 14,395,216 units on Monday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounts to a mere $36 million up from $104.42 million on Monday. 
The JSE USD market closed after 102,487 shares were traded for US$9,725 up sharply from 3,759 units at US$430 on Monday.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share dipped $1.40 and ended at $5.50 with investors transferring 920 stocks and Jamaica Public Service 7% climbed $6 to end at $46.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21 on 2022-23 earnings and 13.8 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and 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 reported as a guide to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Decline for Trinidad Stock Exchange
The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange fell on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 36 percent but with a value that was 122 percent more than on Monday resulting in trading of 16 securities compared with 19 on Monday, with three stocks rising, five declining and eight remaining unchanged.
The Composite Index shed 4.98 points to end at 1,174.29, the All T&T Index skidded 11.62 points to wrap up trading at 1,766.08, the SME Index remained unchanged at 71.95 and the Cross-Listed Index rallied 0.30 points to end trading at 75.72.
Investors exchanged 110,164 shares for $2,810,683 versus 172,277 stock units at $1,265,327 on Monday.
An average of 6,885 units were traded at $175,668 compared to 9,067 shares at $66,596 on Monday, with trading month to date averaging 13,634 shares at $159,738 compared with 14,484 units at $157,734 on the previous day compared with the average trade for November of 19,241 shares at $227,402.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Agostini’s remained at $68.50 with traders dealing in 360 stocks, Angostura Holdings shed $2.97 in closing at $17 with an exchange of 15,011 units, Ansa McAl increased 50 cents to $55.50 with 40 shares being traded. First Citizens Group lost 25 cents to close at $49, with 1,505 stock units changing hands, GraceKennedy fell 14 cents to $3.86 with investors trading 50 shares, Guardian Holdings ended at $18 with a transfer of 35,767 units. JMMB Group popped 7 cents to end at $1.29 after an exchange of 648 stocks, Massy Holdings remained at $4.40 with investors transferring 25,653 stock units, National Enterprises ended at $3.55, with 9,661 shares crossing the exchange. 
National Flour Mills remained at $1.78 after a transfer of 225 stocks, One Caribbean Media ended at $3.80, after 6,400 units crossed the market, Prestige Holdings ended at $9.30 in an exchange of 336 stock units. Republic Financial advanced $1 to close at $123 in the trading of 13,146 shares, Scotiabank skidded 13 cents to end at $69.80 in switching ownership of 152 stocks, Unilever Caribbean remained at $11.48 as investors exchanged 341 units and West Indian Tobacco declined 21 cents to $9.07, with 869 stock units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
