Trading climbs but falling prices dominate

More funds were pumped into trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday, but the volume of stocks traded declined by 32 percent while the value surged 390 percent over market activity on Thursday, with the number of securities traded remaining the same as Thursday at 61 of which prices of 17 rose, 19 declined and 25 ended unchanged.
Trading closed with an exchange of 10,926,398 shares for $160,297,742 compared to 16,091,472 units at just $32,718,333 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 179,121 shares at $2,627,832 compared to 263,795 units at $536,366 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 1,231,003 units at $4,717,442 compared to 1,363,030 units at $4,979,719 on the previous day and March with an average of 828,473 units at $2,341,254.
Sagicor Group led trading with 3.08 million shares for 28.2 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.93 million stocks for 26.8 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 2.60 million units for 23.8 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index sank 1,102.99 points to close at 366,500.95, the JSE Main Index dropped 1,547.35 points to end trading at 326,755.24 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.36 points to finish at 70.19.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.2. 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 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments dipped 70 cents in closing at $73 after an exchange of 3,889 shares, Caribbean Producers fell 40 cents to $9 after 14,680 units passed through the market, First Rock Real Estate sank 85 cents and ended at $8.15 in an exchange of 9,317 shares. Jamaica Broilers dropped $1.10 to end at $32.80 with 45,528 stock units clearing the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange rallied $1.52 to close at $11.58 after an exchange of 211,603 shares, JMMB Group lost 54 cents to finish at $25.45 with investors swapping 36,491 units. Kingston Properties increased 32 cents to $8.07 and closed after two stocks were traded, Margaritaville shed $1.40 to close at $14.10 with traders dealing in 1,004 stocks, Mayberry Group popped 30 cents to end at $7.30 as investors traded 784 shares. NCB Financial climbed $1.50 to $66.50 in switching ownership of 7,884 units, Proven Investments declined by 33 cents to $22.10, with 17,399 stock units crossing the market, Sagicor Real Estate Fund skidded 52 cents to finish at $7.50 in an exchange of 74,563 stock units. Stanley Motta slipped 30 cents to end at $6.80 with investors dealing in 2,000 shares, Supreme Ventures rose 40 cents to finish at $25 with a transfer of 29,121 stocks and Wisynco Group climbed $1 and ended at $22, with 57,591 units changing hands.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share fell $3 to end at $213 in trading 14 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% gained $4 in closing at $110 after 116 shares crossed the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.