Trading broke the $200 million mark for the first time this year on Friday, the last trading day for the in January for Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market and the only second time for the month that trading value exceeded $110 million in a day when just over $116.6 million worth of shares crossed the market on January 20.
The market closed with 11,980,396 shares, 30 percent more than Thursday and 168 percent more in value at $215,025,944, up from 9,368,496 units at $83,242,802 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 272,282 units at $4,886,953 for each security, compared to an average of 234,212 shares at $2,081,070 on Thursday. The month to date averaged 311,456 units at $1,435,407 for each stock, in contrast to 313,511 units at $1,254,396 on the prior trading day and well off December average of 455,206 units at $7,774,631.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 19.1 percent of total volume after an exchange of 2.29 million shares followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 14.3 percent for 1.71 million units, Grace Kennedy chipped in with 11.5 percent for 1.38 million units and Transjamaican Highway with 11.4 percent for 1.37 million units.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 2,827.24 points to 425,254.53, the JSE Main Index rose 2,558.50 to 387,937.83 and the JSE Financial Index added 0.56 points to close at 99.32.
Trading ended with 44 securities changing hands compared to 40 on Thursday and closed with prices of 17 stocks rising, 18 declining and nine remaining unchanged. The average PE Ratio was 16.6 based on ICInsider.com forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading has 12 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the market closing, Caribbean Cement dropped $3.99 to $60.51, with a transfer of 27,289 shares. First Rock Capital gained 40 cents to $13.10 after 2,635 units crossed the market. Jamaica Producers closed 40 cents higher at $20, in trading 15,002 stocks. Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 30 cents to $19.50 in trading 129,636 stock units, JMMB Group climbed $1.10 to $32.50, with an exchange of 80,460 shares, Kingston Wharves rose $2.50 $46.50, after switching ownership of 4,238 stocks. Mayberry Investments shed 38 cents to finish at $5.45 in an exchange of 5,232 stock units, 138 Student Living gained 45 cents in ending at $4.45 and trading 4,039 units, Palace Amusement dropped $164 to close at $1,051, with investors swapping 4 units. 
Pan Jam Investment declined by $3 to $67, with 134,726 stocks crossing the market, Sagicor Group advanced by $3.01 to $52 after trading 598,948 stock units, Sagicor Real Estate Fund fell 95 cents to $8 in exchanging 19,000 shares. Salada Foods climbed $3 to $37, in swapping of 80,784 units, Scotia Group rose 79 cents to close at $43.79, in an exchange of 28,402 stock units, Sygnus Credit Investments shed 30 cents in closing at $16, with 34,889 units crossing the market and Victoria Mutual Investments lost 30 cents to end at $5.55, with the swapping of 62,867 stocks.
In the preference segment, Eppley 8.25% gained 42 cents to settle at $7, in exchanging 2,081 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
