Scotia Group and Transjamaican Highway stock prices hit 52 weeks’ closing high on Tuesday while Sagicor X Fund closed at a 52 weeks’ low of $7.85 at close of the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange at the early stage of a bull market run that is returning to the market, with investors pumping more money into stocks but ended with fewer shares at the end of trading that on Monday.
The volume of stocks traded declined by 52 percent, but the value jumped by 54 percent than on Monday, after an exchange of 48 securities down from 55 on Monday, with prices of 19 rising, 18 declining and 11 ending unchanged as the market closed with an exchange of 7,620,490 shares for $62,076,383 compared with 15,892,941 units at $40,238,845 on Monday.
Trading averaged 158,760 shares at $1,293,258 compared to 288,963 units at $731,615 on Monday. Trading month to date, an averages 202,242 shares at $1,483,266, in comparison to 205,891 units at $1,499,211 on the previous day in comparison with December with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 4.42 million shares for 58 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 706,792 units for 9.3 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Real Estate Fund with 402,277 units for 5.3 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 2,400.43 points to close at 359,385.57, the JSE Main Index advanced 1,467.74 points to end the day at 322,832.91 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.81 points to wrap up trading at 69.14.
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 nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement increased 50 cents and ended at $56 while exchanging 454 units, First Rock Real Estate climbed $1 to $8, with 16,755 stocks crossing the market, General Accident dipped 65 cents in closing at $4.70 after an exchange of 3,901 shares. GraceKennedy fell 95 cents to close at $77.05 with investors transferring 33,887 stock units, 
Jamaica Broilers dropped $1.02 to end at $32.50 with 20,709 shares crossing the exchange, JMMB Group sank 67 cents in closing at $24 with trading of 15,379 stocks. Margaritaville lost $2.58 to end at $15 in switching ownership of 31,000 units, Massy Holdings declined by $1 to $88 with investors swapping 211,913 stocks, Mayberry Group rose 86 cents to close at $8.41 after an exchange of 1,699 shares. NCB Financial shed 40 cents to $67 with investors trading 13,181 units, Pan Jamaica skidded 42 cents to $50 with an exchange of 92,892 stocks, Scotia Group jumped $2.47 to end at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $41.50, with 35,353 units crossing the market and Stanley Motta popped 88 cents in closing at $6.15 with investors dealing in 31,297 shares.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share rallied $36.45 and ended at $167.27 closing with an exchange of 4 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading steady for JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market remained steady on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks exchanged rising marginally, with 10 percent less money changing hands than on Monday, resulting in trading in four securities, down from six on Monday with prices of two rising, one declining and one ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 508,298 shares for US$11,596 compared to 501,713 units at US$12,814 on Monday.
Trading averaged 127,075 units at US$2,899 up from 83,619 shares at US$2,136 on Monday, with a month to date average of 27,415 shares at US$1,271 compared with 20,880 units at US$1,164 on the previous day and December with an average of 28,010 units for US$1,403.
The US Denominated Equities Index increased 5.83 points to close at 243.50, up 5.4 percent for the year to date.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.4. 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 seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Margaritaville skidded 1.47 cent in closing at 10.52 US cents with 3,390 shares crossing the exchange, Sterling Investments remained at 1.6 US cents with investors transferring 5 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments increased 1 cent and ended at 9 US cents, with 27,771 units clearing the market and Transjamaican Highway popped 0.08 of a cent to end at 1.87 US cents after an exchange of 477,132 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading jumps on the JSE Junior Market
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Tuesday, with a 36 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded and a 36 percent greater value than Monday, with trading ending with an exchange of 39 securities compared with 43 on Monday and ending with prices of 12 stocks rising, 14 declining and 13 closing unchanged.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
The market closed with trading in 11,812,842 shares for a value of $21,832,768 compared with 8,711,353 units at $16,041,925 on Monday.
Trading averaged 302,893 shares at $559,915, compared with 202,590 units at $373,068 on Monday with the month to date, averaging 159,877 units at $316,767 compared to 146,753 stock units at $294,464 on the previous day and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
Fosrich led trading with 2.86 million shares for 24.2 percent of total volume followed by MFS Capital Partners with 2.06 million units for 17.5 percent of the day’s trade, One Great Studio closed with 1.24 million units for 10.5 percent market share, iCreate ended with 1.14 million units for 9.6 of trading, 
Tropical Battery had an exchange of 1.12 million units for 9.5 percent market share and EduFocal with 1.02 million units for 8.6 percent of total volume.
At the close, the Junior Market Index climbed 11.23 points to finish at 3,723.72.
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.
At the close, Access Financial climbed $2.17 to close at $22.68, with 2,379 shares crossing the market, AMG Packaging skidded 63 cents to $2.42 with investors dealing in 131,215 stocks, Blue Power rallied 30 cents and ended at $3 and closed with an exchange of 4,114 shares. Cargo Handlers sank 92 cents to end at $13.08 while exchanging 304 stock units, Caribbean Assurance Brokers popped 23 cents in closing at $2.25 after a transfer of 6,758 shares, but the stock still has an overhang of selling, Consolidated Bakeries rallied 30 cents to $2.18 with traders dealing in 1,000 units. 
EduFocal dipped 11 cents to close at $1.44 in switching ownership of 1,018,324 stocks, Fosrich rose 8 cents to end at $2.38 after exchanging 2,862,584 stock units, Future Energy fell 9 cents in closing at $3.71 with 112,460 shares clearing the market. KLE Group declined 15 cents to $1.34 with trading of 30,000 stocks, Knutsford Express gained 38 cents to end at $12.38 after an exchange of one unit, Limners and Bards shed 16 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ low of $1.30 after a transfer of 26,028 stock units. Main Event advanced 60 cents to close at $14.80 as investors exchanged 25,200 shares and Stationery and Office Supplies dropped 13 cents in closing at $1.52, with 211,741 stock units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
All JSE Markets rise
The Jamaica Stock Exchange recorded gains in all three markets on Tuesday in trading on Monday as trading ended with a decline in the number exchanged, with the value traded rising over that on Monday
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index popped 178.57 points to 335,378.11, the All Jamaican Composite Index gained 2,400.43 points to wrap-up trading at 359,385.57, the JSE Main Index rose 1,467.74 points to finish at 322,832.91. The Junior Market Index rallied 11.23 points to finish at 3,723.72 and the JSE USD Market Index increased 5.74 points to end at 243.50.
At the close of trading, 19,941,630 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 25,106,007 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $83.9 million, up from $52.25 million on Tuesday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 508,298 shares for US$11,596 compared to 501,713 units at US$12,814 on Monday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Transjamaican Highway with 4.42 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 706,792 units and Sagicor Real Estate Fund with 402,277 units.
In the Junior Market, Fosrich led trading with 2.86 million shares followed by MFS Capital Partners with 2.06 million units, One Great Studio closed with 1.24 million units, iCreate ended with 1.14 million stocks, Tropical Battery with 1.12 million shares and EduFocal with 1.02 million units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are First Rock Real Estate climbed $1 to $8, Scotia Group advanced $2.47 to end at $41.50, Mayberry Group rose 86 cents to close at $8.41 and Stanley Motta popped 88 cents in closing at $6.15.
The major declining Main Market stocks include General Accident dipped 65 cents in closing at $4.70, GraceKennedy fell 95 cents to close at $77.05, Jamaica Broilers dropped $1.02 to close trading at $32.50, Margaritaville lost $2.58 to $15, Massy Holdings declined $1 to end at $88.
On a day of limited price movement in the Junior Market, the major stocks with gains are Access Financial climbed $2.17 to close at $22.68, Knutsford Express gained 38 cents to $12.38 and Main Event advanced 60 cents to close at $14.80, with the major losing stocks being AMG Packaging skidded 63 cents to $2.42 and Cargo Handlers that sank 92 cents to end at $13.08.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share rallied $36.45 and ended at $167.27.
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 13.7 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.
Main Event disappoints in Q4
Fourth quarter revenues at Main Event dropped significantly dropped 26 percent to $335 million from $455 million in 2022 with profit plunging 117 percent to a loss of $8 million from a profit of $47 million in 2022.
The company reported profits for the year of $207 million, rising a solid 37 percent from $151 million for 2022, from a 24 percent rise in revenues to $1.92 billion, up from $1.49 billion in 2022, with earnings per share of 69 cents versus 50 cents for the previous year.
ICInsider.com projects earnings of 90 cents per share for the 2024 fiscal year.
Gross profit for the quarter fell to $249 million from $211 million in 2022 and for the year to date, it rose by 28 percent to just over $1 billion from $755 million. Administrative and other expenses rose 37 for the year to $795 million from $579 million in 2022 but were flat for the quarter at $195 million in both years.
The company ended the year in a healthy cash position with $456 million in the bank.
Trinidad stock market slips
Trading ended on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Tuesday, with a 114 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded with a value 167 percent more than on Monday that resulted in the trading 16 securities compared with 12 on Monday and ending with prices of three stocks rising, six declining and seven remaining unchanged.
The market closed trading with an exchange of 106,319 shares for $3,759,336 up from 49,600 stock units at $1,406,823 on Monday.
An average of 6,645 shares were traded at $234,958 compared with 4,133 stock units at $117,235 on Monday, with trading month to date averaging 9,884 shares at $121,144 compared with 10,209 units at $109,691 on the previous day and an average for December of 17,065 shares at $239,371.
The Composite Index fell 0.58 points to end at 1,197.37, the All T&T Index declined 1.92 points to culminate at 1,800.25, the SME Index remained unchanged at 78.23 and the Cross-Listed Index climbed 0.12 points to cease trading at 77.28.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Agostini’s fell 1 cent and ended at $68.49 after an exchange of 50 units, Ansa McAl ended at $57 as 710 stocks passed through the market, Calypso Macro Investment Fund ended at $23.50 with traders dealing in 80 shares. Endeavour Holdings dropped 25 cents to close at $14.50 in an exchange of 70 stock units, First Citizens Group slipped 1 cent to $50 with investors trading 32,400 shares, FirstCaribbean International Bank remained at $7, with 51,102 stocks crossing the market. GraceKennedy ended at $4.17 in trading 783 units, Guardian Holdings ended at $18 after a transfer of 764 stock units, JMMB Group gained 9 cents to close at $1.37 with investors dealing in 1,003 shares. Massy Holdings lost 7 cents to end at $4.35 after 4,208 stocks crossed the exchange, 
National Enterprises skidded 5 cents to $3.90 with investors swapping 55 units, Republic Financial ended at $121 with an exchange of 13,757 stocks. Scotiabank dipped 1 cent to end at $69.99 after trading 119 shares, Trinidad & Tobago NGL popped 77 cents in closing at $10.77 with just two stocks changing hands, Unilever Caribbean advanced 5 cents and ended at $11.65 in an exchange of 160 stocks and West Indian Tobacco remained at $8.90, with 1,056 stock units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Jamaica’s inflation jumps
Price increases in Jamaica rose at a slower pace than for November with Statin reporting that the All-Jamaica Consumer Price Index increased by 0.5 percent for December 2023 compared with a steep 1.6 percent increase in November.
The latest monthly movement “was mainly due to an upward movement of 2.5 per cent in the index for the ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ division as a result of higher prices for rent, electricity, water and sewage rates, “ Statin stated in their release.
The point-to-point inflation rate (December 2022 – December 2023) was 6.9 per cent an increase over the 6.3 percent to November.
Slippage for JSE Main market
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded declining by 18 percent and the value 89 percent lower than on Friday, with trading in 55 securities compared to 52 on Friday, with prices of 19 rising, 23 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
The market closed with trading of 15,892,941 shares valued $40,238,845 compared to 19,335,881 units at $380,400,356 on Friday.
Trading averaged 288,963 shares at $731,615 compared to 371,844 units at $7,315,391 on Friday and month to date, an average of 205,891 units at $1,499,211 compared with 197,054 units at $1,580,870 on the previous day and December that closed with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 8.92 million shares for 56.1 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.37 million units for 14.9 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.70 million units for 10.7 percent market share and Ciboney Group with 1.35 million units for 8.5 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 2,854.05 points to finish at 356,985.14, the JSE Main Index sank 873.63 points to conclude trading at 321,365.17 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.53 points to 68.33.
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 three with lower offers.
At the close of trading, Barita Investments fell $1.10 to $71.30 after 1,837 stocks passed through the market, Caribbean Cement shed $1.40 in closing at $55.50 after an exchange of 14,235 shares. Eppley lost 89 cents to end at $37.10, with 150 stock units crossing the market, First Rock Real Estate gained 99 cents to close at $7 after an exchange of 29,573 shares, General Accident sank 40 cents to $5.35 with a transfer of 1,285 stocks. GraceKennedy skidded $1 to close at $78 while exchanging 104,553 units, Guardian Holdings dropped $9.49 in closing at $350.51 with investors transferring 622 stock units, Jamaica Broilers declined 48 cents and ended at $33.52 in an exchange of 16,917 shares.
MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rose $1 to end at $91, with 380 stock units crossing the market, NCB Financial rallied $1.95 to $67.40 in an exchange of 39,356 units, Scotia Group dipped 35 cents to close at $39.03 after 27,475 stocks were traded. Seprod increased $1.95 and ended at $85.95 as investors exchanged 2,639 units, Stanley Motta sank 76 cents to $5.27 in trading 47,893 stocks, Supreme Ventures dropped 81 cents to end at $25 with 45,360 shares clearing the market and Sygnus Credit Investments lost 48 cents in closing at $10.50 with traders dealing in 102,871 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Surge in trading for JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Monday, with a jump of 1,550 percent in the volume of stocks exchanged following a 270 percent rise in money changing hands compared to Friday, resulting in trading in six securities, compared to four on Friday with prices of one rising, three declining and two ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 501,713 shares for US$12,814 compared to 30,414 units at US$3,460 on Friday.
Trading averaged 83,619 units at US$2,136 versus 7,604 shares at US$865 on Friday, with a month to date average of 20,880 shares at US$1,164 compared with 14,035 units at US$1,058 on the previous day and December that ended with an average of 28,010 units for US$1,403.
The US Denominated Equities Index dipped 0.39 points to lock up trading at 237.67.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.3. 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 none with a lower offer.
At the close, Margaritaville dipped 0.41 of one cent and ended at 11.99 US cents in an exchange of 144 units, Proven Investments shed 0.46 of a cent to 13.04 US cents with investors dealing in 29,843 stocks, Sterling Investments ended at 1.6 US cents after 1,383 shares were traded. Sygnus Credit Investments declined 0.5 of one cent to end at 8 US cents, with an exchange of 7,315 stocks and Transjamaican Highway advanced 0.08 of a cent to 1.79 US cents with investors transferring 463,007 shares.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.25% preference share remained at US$11.50 after 21 units changed hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market drops to start week
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Monday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 119 percent with 77 percent more value than Friday with trading in 43 securities compared with 41 on Friday and ending with prices of 14 rising, 20 declining and nine closing unchanged but shares of Limners and Bards traded at a 52 weeks’ low.
The market closed with trading of 8,711,353 shares valued at $16,041,925 up from 3,979,718 units at $9,087,458 on Friday.
Trading averaged 202,590 shares at $373,068, compared with 97,066 units at $221,645 on Friday, Trading for the month to date, averaged 146,753 units at $294,464 compared to 140,468 stock units at $285,616 on the previous day and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
One Great Studio led trading with 2.19 million shares for 25.1 percent of total volume followed by Fosrich with 1.25 million units for 14.3 percent of the day’s trade and iCreate with 904,279 units for 10.4 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index declined 54.46 points to settle at 3,712.49.
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 seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging skidded 12 cents to end at $3.05 with an exchange of 4,000 units, after the company posted a 64 percent rise in profit $to 40 million for the first quarter to November, Caribbean Assurance Brokers shed 23 cents to end at $2.02, with 7,382 stocks crossing the market, Caribbean Cream dropped 40 cents and ended at $4.05 as investors exchanged 2,223 shares. Fontana shed 7 cents in closing at $10.63 after 73,121 stock units crossed the market, Future Energy rallied 9 cents to close at $3.80 with investors trading 155,057 shares, Indies Pharma declined 24 cents to $2.71 in an exchange of 64,959 units. Iron Rock Insurance lost 43 cents to close at $2.07 with investors swapping 176 stocks, ISP Finance dropped $3.41 to $21.45 with a transfer of 2,380 stock units, Jamaican Teas fell 19 cents and ended at $2.40 while exchanging 182,250 shares. Jetcon Corporation rose 7 cents to end at 85 cents with investors transferring 33 stocks, Knutsford Express dipped 40 cents to $12 in an exchange of 2,223 units, Lasco Distributors fell 20 cents and ended at $3.90 with traders dealing in 56,178 stock units.
Lasco Manufacturing lost 7 cents to close at $4.48 after an exchange of 58,705 shares, Lumber Depot advanced 11 cents to end at $2.50 in trading 360,630 stock units, Main Event sank 60 cents in closing at $14.20, with 20,634 stocks changing hands, before the company released 2023 full year results with earnings of 69 cents per share. MFS Capital Partners shed 9 cents to $2.35 after trading in 456,811 units, Paramount Trading declined 15 cents in closing at $1.45, with 15,826 shares crossing the exchange and Tropical Battery popped 7 cents to $2.10 with investors dealing in 528,007 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
