The Jamaica Stock Exchange jumped higher to close out the first month of 2024 positively with all three markets rising on Wednesday, as the Main Market and the JSE USD market closed the month higher than they closed at in 2024, the Junior Market ended the month with a minor slippage as trading ended with the number shares exchanged in the overall market climbed, at a reduced value compared with the previous day, after prices of 53 shares rose and only 18 declined.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index jumped by 4,021.70 points to 341,461.84 the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 4,164.96 points to 365,827.98, the JSE Main Index climbed 3,750.40 points to 328,475.09. The Junior Market Index popped 57.59 points to 3,814.18 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 2.46 points to conclude trading at 249.26.
At the close of trading, 35,568,273 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 23,163,225 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $134.96 million, down from $247.43 million yesterday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 15,298 shares for US$860 compared to 286,861 units at US$30,962 on Tuesday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 10.87 million shares followed by JMMB 9.5% preference share with 3.85 million units, Transjamaican Highway ended with 1.74 million units and Carreras with 1.53 million units.
In the Junior Market, Fosrich led trading with 3.20 million shares followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 2.72 million units, Stationery and Office Supplies ended with 1.45 million stock units and Derrimon Trading with 1.08 million stocks.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are Caribbean Cement popping $2.30 in closing at $57, Jamaica Broilers climbing $1 to close at $34 and Jamaica Producers rose 80 cents and ended at $24. JMMB Group rallied $2.29 to end at $26, NCB Financial advanced $1 and closed at $67.50, Pan Jamaica rose $1.51 to close at $51.51, Scotia Group popped $2.59 to $42.59, Seprod increased $4.50 and ended at $89 and Sygnus Real Estate Finance advanced $1.25 to end at $11.50.
There were no major declining Main Market stocks on Wednesday.
Stocks with major gains in the Junior Market are Access Financial, which rallied 67 cents to end at $22.67 while Spur Tree Spices rose 40 cents to end at $2.88, with the major losing stock being Cargo Handlers sinking $1.92 and ended at $13.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share rose $4.95 to $22.95 and 138 Student Living preference share fell $25.72 to close at $192.28.
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 14.3 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 successfully in the 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.
Slippage in Trinidad Stock Exchange
The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange lost ground on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 48 percent and the value of trading dropping 59 percent from Tuesday’s level and resulting in 16 securities trading compared with 18 on Tuesday, with prices of three stocks rising, five declining and eight remaining unchanged.
The market closed trading with an exchange of 97,007 shares for $628,109 compared to 186,017 stock units at $1,532,419 on Tuesday.
An average of 6,063 shares were traded at $39,257 compared to 10,334 units at $85,134 on Tuesday, with trading month to date averaging 15,998 shares at $167,627 compared with 16,482 units at $173,889 on the previous day and an average for December of 17,065 shares at $239,371.
The Composite Index dipped 2.59 points to lock up trading at 1,191.97, the All T&T Index skidded 4.00 points to settle at 1,778.53, the SME Index remained unchanged at 78.23 and the Cross-Listed Index sank 0.15 points to finish at 78.99.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close of trading, Calypso Macro Investment Fund declined 47 cents and ended at $22.68 in switching ownership of 63 stocks, Endeavour Holdings remained at $14.75 and closed with an exchange of 8 units, First Citizens Group ended at $50 after a transfer of 541 shares. FirstCaribbean International Bank remained at $7.05 with 1,726 stocks clearing the market, GraceKennedy slipped 5 cents to close at $4.10 in an exchange of 4,110 shares, Massy Holdings dipped 5 cents to $4.40 after 18,181 stocks passed through the market. National Enterprises ended at $3.75 after an exchange of 50,530 units, National Flour Mills remained at $2 after 100 stock units crossed the market, One Caribbean Media ended at $3.45 while exchanging 420 shares. 
Prestige Holdings rallied $1.20 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $10.50 after trading of 90 units, Republic Financial increased 68 cents to $119.68, with 729 stock units changing hands, Scotiabank fell 50 cents to close at $68.50 in trading 117 stock units. Trinidad & Tobago NGL ended at $10 after 20,031 shares passed through the market, Trinidad Cement dropped 15 cents to end at $3.10 with investors dealing in 100 stock units, Unilever Caribbean remained at $11.93, with 41 units crossing the exchange and West Indian Tobacco popped 25 cents to $9 with traders dealing in 220 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market trading cooled on Tuesday
Trading cooled off on Tuesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, with a 43 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, with the value falling 77 percent below Monday’s level, following trading in 53 securities down from 59 on Monday, with prices of 14 stocks rising, 23 declining and 16 ending unchanged.
The market closed with trading of 16,924,804 shares for $233,823,266 compared with 29,601,305 units at $1,004,348,955 on Monday.
Trading averaged 319,336 shares at $4,411,760 compared with 501,717 units at $17,022,864 on Monday and month to date, an average of 260,532 units at $2,471,058, in comparison with 257,735 units at $2,378,727 on the previous day and December with an average of 264,266 stock units at $3,755,946.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 7.09 million shares for 41.9 percent of the volume, Transjamaican Highway followed with 4.92 million units for 29.1 percent of the day’s trade and GraceKennedy with 2.23 million units for 13.2 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dipped 1,567.01 points to lock up trading at 361,663.02, the JSE Main Index sank 1,231.12 points to end at 324,724.69 and the JSE Financial Index fell 0.69 points to 69.44.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.5. 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 seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, AS Bryden fell 50 cents in closing at $41.50 in an exchange of 4,608 shares, Berger Paints sank 44 cents to $5.57 with investors swapping 430 stocks, Caribbean Cement rose $2.25 to close at $54.70 after an exchange of 6,781 shares. GraceKennedy rallied $1.03 to end at $77.28 after investors ended trading 2,226,574 stock units, Jamaica Broilers popped 50 cents and ended at $33 as investors exchanged 17,660 shares, NCB Financial skidded 50 cents to $66.50 with a transfer of 17,158 stock units. Pan Jamaica lost 30 cents and ended at $50, with 10,100 units clearing the market, 
Proven Investments declined $2.40 to end at $22.05 and closed after 7,815 stocks were traded, Sagicor Group shed 31 cents in closing at $45.19 in trading 4,084 shares. Scotia Group dropped $1.35 to close at $40 after a transfer of 55,961 stocks, Seprod advanced 50 cents to $84.50, with 2,590 units changing hands, Supreme Ventures dipped 40 cents to close at $25.10 with an exchange of 46,328 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments lost 36 cents to end at $10.65, with 412,910 shares crossing the market.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share sank $2 in closing at $218 with traders dealing in 9 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE USD trading drops on Tuesday
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks exchanged declining 45 percent after 69 percent fewer US dollars changed hands compared to Monday, resulting in trading in five securities, compared to seven on Monday with prices of one rising, four declining and no ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 286,861 shares for US$30,962 compared to 519,135 units at US$98,529 on Monday.
Trading averaged 57,372 units at US$6,192 versus 74,162 shares at US$14,076 on Monday, with a month to date average of 43,045 shares at US$5,149 compared with 42,458 units at US$5,106 on the previous day and December that ended with an average of 28,010 units for US$1,403.
The US Denominated Equities Index skidded 3.89 points to culminate at 246.80.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.6. 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 six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Proven Investments declined 1.29 cents to end at 12.21 US cents, with 24,390 stock units changing hands, Sygnus Credit Investments fell 0.48 of a cent to 8.5 US cents with a transfer of 11,494 shares and Transjamaican Highway lost 0.01 of a cent and ended at 1.99 US cents with investors swapping 237,933 units.
In the preference segment, JMMB US8.5% preference share popped 3 cents to close at US$1.03 after a transfer of 12,227 stocks and Sygnus Credit Investments E 8.5% dipped 3.8 cents in closing at US$11.75 with investors dealing in 817 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market falls again on Monday
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Monday, with a 68 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, following a 71 percent drop in value, with trading in 46 securities compared with 45 on Friday and ending with prices of 16 rising, 16 declining and 14 closing unchanged.
The main market closed with trading of 4,269,036 shares for $8,694,142 down from 13,178,824 units at $30,106,364 on Friday.
Trading averaged 92,805 shares at $189,003 compared to 292,863 units at $669,030 on Friday with a month to date average of 170,860 stock units at $394,395 compared to 175,359 stocks at $406,235 previously and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
One Great Studio led trading with 1.06 million shares for 24.8 percent of total volume followed by Dolla Financial with 548,477 units for 12.8 percent of the day’s trade and Jetcon Corporation with 301,021 units for 7.1 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index dipped 24.13 points to wrap-up trading at 3,735.24.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.3, 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 ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial fell $3.60 and ended at $20.36 after an exchange of 5,776 stock units, Blue Power climbed 25 cents to $3.45 and closed with an exchange of 2,509 shares, Cargo Handlers skidded $2.87 to close at $12.03 after a transfer of 3,187 units. Caribbean Cream popped 10 cents in closing at $3.89, with 20 stocks crossing the exchange, Fontana sank 24 cents to end at $10.20 in switching ownership of 90,478 units, Future Energy dropped 8 cents in closing at $3.36, with 162,670 stocks clearing the market. Indies Pharma shed 21 cents to close at $2.69 in an exchange of 6,769 shares, Iron Rock Insurance rallied 9 cents to close at $2.51, with 30 stock units crossing the market, 
ISP Finance lost $1.99 and ended at $20.30 while exchanging 5,033 shares. KLE Group increased 21 cents to end at $2.46 in trading 21 stocks, Lasco Distributors declined 19 cents in closing at $3.80 after 29,816 units passed through the market, Limners and Bards rose 9 cents to $1.29, after trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $1.13 with 115,607 stock units changing hands. Mailpac Group advanced 10 cents and ended at $2.38 as investors exchanged 219,323 shares, Main Event dipped $2 to end at $15 with a transfer of 16,479 stocks, Regency Petroleum gained 22 cents to close at $2.37 after exchanging 39,571 units and tTech popped 22 cents to $2.50 with investors dealing in 25,000 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Jamaica’s Unemployment dives to 4.2%
Jamaica’s unemployment rate dropped to a record low of 4.2 percent in October last year and is down compared with the unemployment rate at 4.5 percent in both April and July 2023, data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica show.
The number of employed persons in October 2023, rose to 1,320,400, marginally up from 1.3151 million persons in July last year and 1.3126 million in April. The data shows that in October 2023, there were 57,300 unemployed persons in the labour force.
Junior Market pushes higher, Main & USD markets slipped
Junior Market stocks pushed higher at the of trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange gained in trading on Tuesday as the Main Market and the JSE USD market slipped with trading ending with the number and the value of stocks that were exchanged fell, sharply compared to the previous day and resulted in 37 shares declining and just 25 rising.
At the close of trading on Tuesday, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 967.64 points to close at 337,440.14, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 1,567.01 points to end the day at 361,663.02, the JSE Main Index lost 1,231.12 points to settle at 324,724.69. The Junior Market Index popped 21.35 points to 3,756.59 and the JSE USD Market Index skidded 3.89 points to settle at 246.80.
At the close of trading, 23,163,225 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 34,389,476 units on …day, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $247.43 million, down from $1.01 billion yesterday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 286,861 shares for US$30,962 compared to 519,135 units at US$98,529 on Monday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 7.09 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 4.92 million units and GraceKennedy with 2.23 million units.
In the Junior Market, Image Plus led trading with 1.82 million shares followed by One Great Studio with 400,014 units and Consolidated Bakeries with 380,440 units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are Caribbean Cement that rose $2.25 to close at $54.70 and GraceKennedy rallying $1.03 to end at $77.28.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Proven Investments declining $2.40 to end at $22.05 and Scotia Group dropping $1.35 to close at $40.
Stocks ending with major gains in the Junior Market are Access Financial advanced $1.64 to $22 and Cargo Handlers rallied $2.89 to end at $14.92, with the market closing with no major losses.
In the preference segment,138 Student Living was the only preference share with a major price change with the price dropping $2 in closing at $218.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.7 on 2022-23 earnings and 14. 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 successfully in the 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.
Mixed trading on Trinidad Exchange
Trading ended on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Tuesday, with an 86 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded valued 78 percent less than on Monday and resulting in trading in 18 securities up from 11 on Monday and ending with prices of three stocks rising, three declining and 12 remaining unchanged.
The market closed trading on Tuesday with an exchange of 186,017 shares for $1,532,419, down from 1,358,627 stock units at $7,041,372 on Monday.
Trading averaged 10,334 shares at $85,134 compared to 123,512 units at $640,125 on Monday, with trading month to date averaging 16,482 shares at $173,889 compared with 16,839 units at $179,044 on the previous day and an average for December of 17,065 shares at $239,371.
The Composite Index climbed 4.51 points to 1,194.56, the All T&T Index declined 3.93 points to conclude trading at 1,782.53, the SME Index remained unchanged at 78.23 and the Cross-Listed Index advanced 1.90 points to 79.14.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Agostini’s remained at $68.50 after investors ended trading 236 shares, Ansa McAl ended at $56.80, with an exchange of 54 shares, Calypso Macro Investment Fund ended at $23.15 in trading 315 stocks. Endeavour Holdings remained at $14.75 after just 5 units crossed the exchange, First Citizens remained at $50 with investors dealing in 2,394 stocks, FirstCaribbean International Bank ended at $7.05 with an exchange of 53,074 shares. JMMB Group shed 10 cents to end at $1.30, with investors trading 26,680 stock units, L.J. Williams B share ended at $2.20 with an exchange of 1,000 units, Massy Holdings popped 1 cent to $4.45, with 19,513 shares crossing the market. National Enterprises remained at $3.75 as investors exchanged 39,203 stock units, NCB Financial popped 34 cents in closing at $3.35 after a transfer of 2,949 units, 
One Caribbean Media ended at $3.45, with 10,197 stocks traded. Republic Financial lost $1 to end at $119 after an exchange of 3,616 shares, Scotiabank remained at $69 with a transfer of 664 stocks, Trinidad & Tobago NGL ended at $10 after investors exchanged 3,459 stock units. Trinidad Cement dipped 3 cents to $3.25 in switching ownership of 3,000 stock units, Unilever Caribbean remained at $11.93, with 370 shares crossing the market and West Indian Tobacco gained 23 cents in closing at $8.75 in an exchange of 19,288 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market falls again on Monday
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Monday, with a 68 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, following a 71 percent drop in value, with trading in 46 securities compared with 45 on Friday and ending with prices of 16 rising, 16 declining and 14 closing unchanged.
The main market closed with trading of 4,269,036 shares for $8,694,142 down from 13,178,824 units at $30,106,364 on Friday.
Trading averaged 92,805 shares at $189,003 compared to 292,863 units at $669,030 on Friday. Trading for the month to date, averages 170,860 units at $394,395 compared with 175,359 stocks at $406,235 on the previous trading day and December that ended with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
One Great Studio led trading with 1.06 million shares for 24.8 percent of total volume followed by Dolla Financial with 548,477 units for 12.8 percent of the day’s trade and Jetcon Corporation with 301,021 units for 7.1 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index dipped 24.13 points to wrap up trading at 3,735.24.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.3, 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 ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial fell $3.60 and ended at $20.36 after an exchange of 5,776 stock units, Blue Power climbed 25 cents to $3.45 and closed with an exchange of 2,509 shares, Cargo Handlers skidded $2.87 to close at $12.03 after a transfer of 3,187 units. Caribbean Cream popped 10 cents in closing at $3.89, with 20 stocks crossing the exchange, Fontana sank 24 cents to end at $10.20 in switching ownership of 90,478 units, Future Energy dropped 8 cents in closing at $3.36, with 162,670 stocks clearing the market. Indies Pharma shed 21 cents to close at $2.69 in an exchange of 6,769 shares, Iron Rock Insurance rallied 9 cents to close at $2.51, with 30 stock units crossing the market, ISP Finance lost $1.99 and ended at $20.30 while exchanging 5,033 shares. KLE Group increased 21 cents to end at $2.46 in trading 21 stocks, 
Lasco Distributors fell by 19 cents in closing at $3.80 after 29,816 units passed through the market, Limners and Bards rose 9 cents to $1.29, after trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $1.13 with 115,607 stock units changing hands. Mailpac Group advanced 10 cents and ended at $2.38 as investors traded 219,323 shares, Main Event dipped $2 to $15 after a transfer of 16,479 stock units, Regency Petroleum gained 22 cents to close at $2.37 after exchanging 39,571 units and tTech popped 22 cents to $2.50 with investors dealing in 25,000 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
More gains for JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Monday, with a 23 percent decline in the volume of stocks that were exchanged after 265 percent more US dollars changed hands than Friday, resulting in trading in seven securities, compared to six on the prior trading day with prices of two rising, one declining and four ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 519,135 shares for US$98,529 compared to 670,997 units at US$26,968 on Friday.
Trading averaged 74,162 stock units at US$14,076 versus 111,833 shares at US$4,495 on Friday, with a month to date average of 42,458 shares at US$5,106 compared with 40,528 units at US$4,560 on the previous day and December that ended with an average of 28,010 units for US$1,403.
The US Denominated Equities Index climbed 3.24 points to lock up trading at 250.69, with a gain of 8.5 percent for the year to date.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.7. 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 five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share ended at 5 US cents with investors swapping 995 units, 
Margaritaville rose 1.5 cents to end at 11.5 US cents with 17,321 stocks, crossing the market, Proven Investments ended at 13.5 US cents after investors traded 6,017 shares. Sygnus Credit Investments ended at 8.98 US cents 89 stock units passed through the market and Transjamaican Highway gained 0.01 of a cent to close at 2 US cents after exchanging 418,713 shares.
In the preference segment, JMMB US8.5% preference share fell 3 cents to US$1 in trading 75,000 stocks and Sygnus Credit Investments E 8.5% remained at US$11.788 after an exchange of 1,000 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
