Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 66 percent valued 7 percent lower than on Friday, resulting in four securities traded, compared to eight on Friday with one rising, two declining and one ending unchanged.
Overall, 509,457 shares were traded for US$14,389 compared to 306,262 units at US$15,475 on Friday.
Trading averaged 127,364 units at US$3,597 compared to 38,283 shares at US$1,934 on Friday, with a month to date average of 74,955 shares at US$5,114 compared with 72,517 units at US$5,185 on the previous trading day, up from October that ended with an average of 47,977 units for US$4,392.
The US Denominated Equities Index shed 1.20 points to finish at 227.47.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.5. 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, Proven Investments increased 0.01 of a cent to end at 15.01 US cents, with 37,511 stocks changing hands, Sygnus Credit Investments lost 0.3 of a cent in closing at 8.7 US cents with an exchange of 11,000 stock units and Transjamaican Highway skidded 0.08 of a cent to 1.59 US cents, with 460,934 shares crossing the market.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.25% preference share remained at US$11.50, with investors transferring 12 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Jump in volume traded on JSE USD Market
Junior Market falls on Monday
Junior Market stocks mostly closed lower in trading closed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Monday, with the volume of stocks traded rising just 2 percent and the value 12 percent more than Friday with 44 securities trading compared with 39 on Friday and ended with 12 rising, 26 declining and six closing unchanged.
Investors traded 3,051,134 shares for $7,412,676 compared with 3,001,295 units at $6,636,828 on Friday.
Trading averaged 69,344 shares for $168,470, compared with 76,956 units at $170,175 on Friday with the month to date, averaging 227,498 units at $506,319 compared with 240,554 stock units at $534,209 on the previous trading day in contrast to October that closed with an average of 361,392 units at $863,984.
One Great Studio led trading with 635,866 shares for 20.8 percent of total volume followed by Lumber Depot with 286,029 units for 9.4 percent of the day’s trade and Future Energy with 238,393 units for 7.8 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index skidded 21.15 points to end at 3,752.02.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13, 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 eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial dipped $1 to end at $25 and closed after an exchange of 1,085 stock units, AMG Packaging fell 70 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of $1.80 while exchanging 40,411 shares, CAC 2000 skidded 28 cents to $4.61 with traders dealing in 100 stocks. Caribbean Cream rallied 12 cents and ended at $3.50 in an exchange of 1,702 units, EduFocal lost 10 cents to close at $2 after investors ended trading of 2,965 stocks, Everything Fresh popped 10 cents to $1.55 with a transfer of 6,573 units.
Fosrich shed 15 cents and ended at $2.30 after exchanging 153,490 shares, Honey Bun dropped 25 cents to close at $6.45 after 2,454 stock units passed through the market, iCreate climbed 8 cents to end at 63 cents with investors trading 8,115 shares. Indies Pharma rose 10 cents in closing at $2.95 after a transfer of 3,447 stock units, Iron Rock Insurance declined 19 cents to $2 as investors exchanged 100 stocks, KLE Group gained 25 cents to end at $1.48 with shareholders trading 802 units. Lasco Manufacturing increased 22 cents in closing at $4.72 after an exchange of 11,538 stocks, Limners and Bards shed 9 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ low of $1.58 with investors transferring 45,000 units, 
Main Event advanced 94 cents to close at $14.50 with 1,056 shares crossing the market and tTech dropped 39 cents to $1.91 in an exchange of 100 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
All JSE markets fall
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange continues to bounce around as the market dropped on Monday, following Friday’s bounce while the Main Market ended several points lower as the volume and the value of stocks changing hands fell below that on Friday and after some big price movements, with NCB Financial jumping $3.83 followed by Seprod $2.94, Pan Jamaica $2.48, with three others rising between $1 and $1.20, but was offset by declines of $25 by Guardian Holdings, $4.75 by Eppley, Kingston Wharves down $1.59 and JMMB Group off $1.40 and the USD Market inched lower at the close.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index slumped 2,256.97 points to 325,890.06, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 1,911.15 points to end at 346,257.04, the JSE Main Index dropped 2,209.15 points to end at 312,449.18. The Junior Market Index fell 21.15 points to end at 3,752.02.and the JSE USD Market Index skidded 1.20 points to wrap-up trading at 227.47.
Investors traded 9,432,720 shares, in all three markets compared to 11,515,257 units on Friday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets ended at $48.06 million from $103.07 million on Wednesday. The JSE USD market closed after 509,457 shares were traded, for US$14,389 compared to 306,262 units at US$15,475 on Friday.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share fell $1 and ended at $18 and Eppley 7.75% preference share dipped $2.88 to $16.34.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.3 on 2022-23 earnings and 13.9 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.
Trading dives on Trinidad & Tobago Exchange
Trading dropped sharply on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Monday, with the volume and value of stocks traded declining 95 percent lower than on Friday resulting in trading in 18 securities compared with 16 on Friday, with five stocks rising, three declining and 10 remaining unchanged.
Investors exchanged 50,591 shares for $603,565 compared with 939,230 stock units at $12,336,459 on Friday.
An average of 2,811 units were traded at $33,531 compared to 58,702 shares at $771,029 on Friday, with trading month to date averaging 17,250 shares at $245,266 compared with 18,505 units at $263,678 on the previous day. The average trade for October amounts to 15,711 shares at $151,451.
The Composite Index shed 1.09 points to cease trading at 1,205.65, the All T&T Index skidded 4.13 points to lock up trading at 1,816.44, the SME Index remained unchanged at 79.99 and the Cross-Listed Index popped 0.30 points to end the day at 77.28.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Agostini’s ended trading at $68.50 with stakeholders exchanging 4 stock units, Angostura Holdings remained at $22.25 after one share passed through the market, 
Ansa McAl remained at $57 with investors trading 1,086 units. Calypso Macro Investment Fund increased 74 cents and ended at $23.50 in an exchange of 24 stocks, First Citizens Group popped 1 cent to end at $49.11 with traders dealing in 931 units, FirstCaribbean International Bank ended at $7 while exchanging 70 stocks. GraceKennedy popped 10 cents to close at $3.75, with 67 shares crossing the market, Guardian Holdings remained at $18.65 as investors exchanged 2,013 stock units, JMMB Group ended at $1.41 with 17,765 shares crossing the market. Massy Holdings advanced 7 cents and ended at $4.32 with investors dealing in 12,821 stock units, National Enterprises ended at $3.55 with 5,664 units crossing the exchange, NCB Financial remained at $3.20 after investors ended trading 4,829 stocks. 
Prestige Holdings dipped 1 cent in closing at $11.39 with an exchange of 22 units, Republic Financial lost 83 cents to close at $122.58 with 689 shares clearing the market, Scotiabank skidded $2 and ended at $70 after an exchange of 3,428 stocks. Trinidad & Tobago NGL rose 71 cents to $11.36 and closed with an exchange of 600 stock units, Unilever Caribbean ended at $11 after an exchange of 27 shares and West Indian Tobacco remained at $9.59 in switching ownership of 550 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Q3 profit climbs 18% at GraceKennedy
Profit after tax climbed 17.7 percent to $1.77 billion for the September quarter this year, compared to $1.5 billion over the same period in 2022 at GraceKennedy, from a 13.5 percent rise in revenues to $39.55 billion, up from $4.85 billion in 2022. Profit before tax for the third quarter rose 15.7 percent to $2.62 billion from $2.27 billion as Revenues climbed 13.5 percent to $39.56 billion from $34.85 billion.
For the first nine months of the year, revenues rose 9.7 percent to $117.8 billion, over the $107 billion earned for the nine months to September 2022. Profit before tax reached $8.8 billion, up 14 percent from $7.7 billion and net profit after tax attributable to shareholders of the group rose 14.2 percent to $6.4 billion from $5.6 billion.
The profit translates to earnings per share for the third quarter of $1.79 and $6.02 for the nine months, compared to $1.52 and $5.23 in 2022, respectively.
Earnings per share for the full year ending in December should hit the $8 market, with a PE ratio of 9 based on Thursday’s last traded price of $71.50.
“GK’s food business demonstrated b performance, with notable growth in revenue and profitability for the period. GraceKennedy Financial Group also delivered a positive performance, driven by b top-line growth” Gordon Shirley, chairman and Don Wehby, Chief Executive Officer stated in their commentary on the results.
The company will pay a dividend of 65 cents per stock unit on December 15 totalling approximately $643 million. This is the fourth and final dividend payment by GK for 2023, bringing GK’s year-to-date total dividend payout to $2.15 billion.
Group Chief Executive Officer, Don Wehby.
Direct and operating expenses rose from $33.2 billion in the September 2022 quarter to $37.57 billion, for the year to date it moved from $101.93 billion to $111.7 billion. The group incurred impairment loss on financial assets in the quarter of $100 million compared to $96 million in the previous year and for the year to date, $233 million versus $230 million in 2022. Other income delivered $856 million to profit in the third quarter up from $752 million in 2022 for the similar period, and for the year to date $2.76 billion versus $2.36 billion in the prior year.
Interest income from non-financial services amounted to $161 million in the September quarter down slightly from $169 million in the 2022 third quarter and for the year to date $474 million up from $424 million for the nine months to September 2022. Interest expense rose to $415 million in the latest quarter from $276 million in 2022 and for the nine months, $1.2 billion up from $919 million in 2022. Associated companies contributed $115 million in the September quarter, virtually flat with $114 million in the previous year and $638 million in September 2023 versus $539 million last year.
The group’s lending activity saw loans advanced to customers rising 12.6 percent to $40 billion at the end of September this year while investment securities climbed to $51.6 billion from $36.96 billion at the end of September 2022. Receivables climbed quite sharply by 35 percent from $19.5 billion at the end of September 2022 to $26.3 billion well ahead of the increase in revenues. On the liability side, deposits grew 23 percent to $61 billion from $49.6 billion at the end of September 2022. Loans received by the group amounted to $30.4 billion a slight increase from the $29.5 million at the end of September 2022. Shareholders’ equity ended the period at $77.8 billion, up from $69.7 billion at the end of September 2022.
In commenting on the results, Gordon Shirley Chairman and Don Wehby in a jointly signed report stated “GK food business demonstrated b performance in the first nine months of 2023 with notable growth in both revenues and pretax profit. Our Jamaican food division achieved commendable results.”
Grace Kennedy products
“The manufacturing business also delivered improved results over the previous year. Hilo Food Stores continue to display robust performance in 2023 powered by increased sales. Our international food business experience improved performance in comparison to the same period last year. But growth in revenue and profitability was achieved by GK Foods USA and Grace Foods UK, while Belize and Grace LACA also saw growth. Our La Fe and Grace brands experienced significant growth in the US market, Grace Foods Canada continues to work at overcoming operational challenges and inflationary pressures in that market.”
“The Financial Group delivered positive performance driven by b top line growth. Our insurance segment sustained growth throughout the period.”
First Global Bank delivered improved results over the prior year aided by increased lending. Remittance services suffered a slight dip in revenues and profit and is partnering with Courts to locate the Western Union outlets in their stores. Bill Express also experienced growth in the period.
Based on the above PE ratio that is much lower than the market average of 13 the stock is undervalued measured by net book value that is the price is less than two times book which is low, with several of its peer trading at a much higher valuation based on net book value. Grace’s main problem is that it is a very liquid stock as there is no dominant shareholder controlling a near majority
Shakeup in ICTOP10
A load of third quarter results hit the market during the past week, while some were good a large number were disappointing, collectively they offered no help to a market that continues to struggle with the Main Market being steady at the end of the week but the Junior Market declined compared with the previous week, for a second week of decline, having undergone wild daily swings during the week.
Price movements in the market and reduced profits in some cases resulted in three new ICTOP10 listings for the Junior Market and none for the Main Market.
Action in the Junior Market, resulted in Iron Rock Insurance gaining 10 percent to $2.19, followed by a 9 percent rise in Dolphin Cove to $18 after an announcement of an 80 cents dividend to be paid in December and the release of third quarter results and Jamaican Teas added 14 cents for a 7 percent rally. Everything Fresh shed 7 percent to $1.45, followed by Caribbean Cream down 6 percent to $3.38 and Lasco Manufacturing dropping 5 percent to $4.50.
The Main Market closed the week with few notable price changes and ended with Palace Amusement Company gaining 7 percent to $1.30, while 138 Student Living declined by 5 percent to $4.
There were no new additions to the Main Market IC TOP 10, however, the Junior Market, had 3 new additions with Express Catering coming in as well as Caribbean Flavours and Lasco Distributors, replacing Dolphin Cove enjoyed b appreciation during the week, Everything Fresh that also dropped out following downward adjustment to earnings, after the company released third quarter results with weak profit performance although revenues in the quarter rose nicely over the similar period in 2022 and Caribbean Assurance with management advising of a surprising 40 percent cut in “the International Comprehensive Health Insurance Programme’s renewal commission rate, with a corresponding 40 percent increase in its new business rate, with the expressed intention of incentivising the production and consistent growth of new business.” Unfortunately, Management gave no timeline when revenues will return to traditional levels.
An indication of where stock prices could be by May 2024 can be seen from stocks with the highest values in the Main and Junior Markets.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5, well below the market average of 13.1. The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 320 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 14 of the most highly valued stocks representing 29 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 108, with an average of 30 and 20 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 23 for the top half and 16 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
The PE of the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 6.9, just over half of the market, with an average of 13.1. There are 14 stocks, or 29 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 46, averaging 21 that are well above the market’s average of 13. The top half of the market has an average PE of 18, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently, with the market projected to rise by 260 percent on or around May 2024.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market, but this is not always so. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
ICTOP10 stocks will likely deliver the best returns on or around May 2024 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate, resulting in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
Trading falls back for JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks changing hands declining 92 percent valued 94 percent lower than on Thursday, resulting in trading in eight securities, compared to nine on Thursday and ended with prices of three rising, two declining and three ending unchanged.
Overall, 306,262 shares were traded, for US$15,475 compared with 3,636,438 units at US$276,260 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 38,283 units at US$1,934, up from 404,049 shares at US$30,696 on Thursday, with a month to date average of 72,517 shares at US$5,185 compared with 76,029 units at US$5,518 on the previous day. October ended with an average of 47,977 units for US$4,392.
The US Denominated Equities Index popped 1.05 points to close trading at 228.67.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.6. 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, Margaritaville ended at 11.04 US cents and closed with an exchange of 5,101 units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy fell 1.99 cents to 57 US cents after an exchange of just one stock, Proven Investments lost 0.99 of one cent to close at 15 US cents with investors transferring 57,463 shares. 
Sterling Investments rallied 0.02 of a cent in closing at 1.7 US cents after investors exchanged 863 stock units, Sygnus Credit Investments ended at 9 US cents with stakeholders exchanging 3,000 shares, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share popped 1.4 cents in closing at 10.4 US cents 3,000 stocks crossing the market and Transjamaican Highway gained 0.07 cents to 1.67 US cents while exchanging 236,685 units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.25% preference share ended at US$11.50 with investors dealing in 149 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market falls into weekend
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 9 percent and the value jumping 68 percent over trading on Thursday, following trading in 52 securities as was the case on Thursday, and ended with prices of 19 stocks rising, 16 declining and 17 ending unchanged.
A total of 8,247,700 shares were traded for $96,457,587 versus 9,049,895 units at $57,441,768 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 157,610 shares at $1,854,954 versus 174,036 units at $1,104,649 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 292,089 units at $1,854,453, compared with 302,526 units at $1,854,414 on the previous day. October closed with an average of 214,410 units at $1,325,907.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 1.35 million shares for 16.5 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.01 million units for 12.3 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 888,809 units for 10.8 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 1,958.70 points to end at 348,168.19, the JSE Main Index skidded 615.77 points to finish at 314,658.33 and the JSE Financial Index dropped 0.75 points to 68.26.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.8. 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 eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints climbed $1.15 to end at $7.15 in an exchange of a mere 10 stock units, Caribbean Cement fell lost 94 cents to $50, with 17,396 shares clearing the market, First Rock Real Estate dipped 85 cents and ended at $7 as investors exchanged 9,000 stocks. General Accident gained 60 cents in closing at $5.15 with a transfer of 1,424 units, GraceKennedy popped $1.11 to close at $74 with stakeholders exchanging 44,445 shares, Guardian Holdings gained $22.50 to close at $435, with a mere 2 stock units crossing the market. 
Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 39 cents and ended at $9.82 after an exchange of 80,721 stocks, Key Insurance rallied 35 cents to end at $2.25, with 120 units crossing the market, Kingston Wharves advanced $1.98 in closing at $28 after an exchange of 12,121 stocks. Mayberry Investments rose 31 cents to close at $8.16 after 6,324 units passed through the market, Mayberry Jamaican Equities fell $1.24 to $9, with 70,300 shares changing hands, NCB Financial declined $4 to end at $66 with an exchange of 433,935 stock units. Proven Investments advanced 98 cents in closing at $23 after trading 3,225 shares, Sagicor Group shed $1 to close at $41.10, with 466,034 stocks crossing the exchange, 
Scotia Group popped 50 cents and ended at $34 with investors dealing in 30,975 units and Wisynco Group rallied 50 cents to $19.60 while exchanging 11,521 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Strong rebound for the Junior Market
Trading dropped sharply at the close of the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday but delivered a sharp recovery in the Market index following a 53 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded with a 62 percent lower value than Thursday as trading occurred in 39 securities,
up from just 34 on Thursday and ended with 18 rising, 13 declining and eight closing unchanged as iCreate and One on One closed at 52 weeks’ lows.
Investors exchanged 3,001,295 shares at $6,636,828 compared to 6,363,227 units at $17,666,824 on Thursday.
Trading ended with an average of 76,956 shares at $170,175 on Friday, well below 187,154 units at $519,612 on Thursday Trading for the month to date, averaged 240,554 units at $534,209 versus 253,470 stock units at $562,948, previously and well down on the average for October of 361,392 units at $863,984.
One Great Studio led trading with 739,051 shares for 24.6 percent of total volume followed by Regency Petroleum with 327,886 units for 10.9 percent of the day’s trade and Fosrich with 315,973 units for 10.5 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index surged 62.91 points higher to end at 3,773.17.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.5, 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 seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close of trading, AMG Packaging advanced 55 cents and ended at $2.50 after an exchange of 2,501 shares, Cargo Handlers popped $2 to $14 with investors dealing in 1,000 units, Caribbean Assurance Brokers gained 33 cents to close at $2.83 with a transfer of just 585 shares. Caribbean Flavours shed 22 cents to end at $1.21 after 56,033 stock units passed through the market, EduFocal rose 10 cents in closing at $2.10 in trading 127,750 shares, Everything Fresh dropped 15 cents to $1.45 after exchanging 35,000 units. 
Express Catering climbed 14 cents to close at $4 in switching ownership of 8,754 stocks, Fontana rallied 21 cents to end at $10.86 after trading 5,928 stock units, Fosrich rallied 25 cents in closing at $2.45 in an exchange of 315,973 shares. Honey Bun increased 35 cents and ended at $6.70 with traders dealing in 6,510 stock units, iCreate lost 14 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of 55 cents after 271,673 stocks passed through the market, ISP Finance climbed $5.50 to end at $31 in an exchange of 5,633 units. Knutsford Express rose $1.05 in closing at $12.30, with 923 shares changing hands, Lasco Financial skidded 8 cents and ended at $1.85, with 5,372 units crossing the exchange, Lasco Manufacturing gained 10 cents to close at $4.50 with shareholders swapping 3,070 stocks.
Limners and Bards fell 8 cents to $1.67 as investors exchanged 4,264 stock units and Main Event declined 94 cents to close at $13.56 with 4,751 shares clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market climbs as Main Market slips
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange recovered 75 percent of the 84 points loss on Thursday, at the close on Friday, while the USD Market inched marginally higher but the Main Market ended moderately lower as the volume fell below that on Thursday even as the value ended higher as Guardian Holdings topped the price movers, with an increase of $22.50.
The JSE Combined Market Index slipped 25.06 points to 328,147.03, while the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 1,958.70 points to close at 348,168.19, the JSE Main Index fell 615.77 points to 314,658.33. The Junior Market Index jumped 62.91 points to end trading at 3,773.17 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 1.05 points to finish at 228.67.
Investors traded 11,515,257 shares, in all three markets, compared to 19,049,560 units on Thursday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets ended at $103.07 million from $75.1 million on Wednesday. The JSE USD market closed after 306,262 shares were traded, for US$15,475 down from 3,636,438 units at US$276,260 on Thursday.
In the preference segment, stocks closed with no notable price change.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.6 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.9 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.
