Trading closed Friday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange after a fall in the volume of stocks traded, with a lower value than on Thursday. Trading resulted in major indices of the Main Market rising, the Junior Market index declining and the JSE USD Market climbing to a new record high. At the end of trading the prices of 48 shares rose, 39 declined and 19 remained firm.
At the end of the market activity, the JSE Combined Market Index rallied by 1,773.91 points to end at 377,971.04, the All Jamaican Composite Index rose 2,599.01 points to end at 445,143.27, the JSE Main Index gained 1,864.90 points to 373,255.17, the Junior Market Index slipped 1.28 points to conclude trading at 2,937.84 and the JSE USD Market Index climbed 7.99 points to settle at 322.63.
At the close of trading, 21,189,372 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 36,483,225 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $223 million, down from $255.56 million on the previous day. Trading on the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 1,076,367 shares for US$79,709 compared to 221,390 units at US$28,376 on Thursday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led with 7.35 million shares, followed by NCB Financial with 1.15 million stocks and Wigton Energy with 824,220 units.
In Junior Market trading, Dolla Financial led with 2.15 million shares, followed by Atlantic Hardware with 1.24 million stocks and One Great Studio with 466,863 units.
In Main Market ordinary share movements, among the winners, Caribbean Cement gained $3.90 to end at $108.90, Jamaica Producers rose $1.41 to $21.82, First Rock Real Estate climbed $1.26 to finish at $7.49, AS Bryden increased $1.05 and ended at $24.55 and Barita Investments climbed 99 cents and ended at $67.99.
Among the top losers, Guardian Holdings lost $4.50 in closing at $365.00, Seprod skidded $2.90 to $71.10, NCB Financial fell $2.09 to close at $70.50, GraceKennedy shed $2 in closing at $75.00 and Sagicor Real Estate Fund dropped $1.32 and ended at $7.18.
In the preference share segment, Sygnus Credit Investments 10% rallied $12.99 to end at $113 and 138 Student Living preference share declined $2.42 to $228.
In the Junior Market, among the top winners, Dolphin Cove rallied $1.44 to finish at $11.39, Knutsford Express gained 70 cents to end at $8.00, Caribbean Cream rose 44 cents to $2.25, Blue Power advanced 41 cents in closing at $3.90 and Everything Fresh advanced 33 cents and ended at $2.09. Among the top losers, Access Financial declined $1.47 to finish at $15.50, Honey Bun dipped 75 cents to close at $5.45, Medical Disposables slipped 32 cents to end at 95 cents, AMG Packaging lost 10 cents to $1.70 and Iron Rock Insurance slipped 10 cents and ended at $2.20 11 shares changing hands.
At the close of trading, the PE ratio for the current year, compiled from projected 2026-27 earnings is 10.8 and 16.1 based on 2025 historical earnings. Major one-off income or expenses are excluded from earnings where applicable. The PE ratio is one of the most frequently used measures in valuing shares. It is calculated by dividing the stock price by earnings per share. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to assist in making investment decisions. The PE ratio chart includes all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry and facilitates easy comparisons within sectors and the overall market.
Pertinent information is needed to navigate the numerous options in the stock market. The chart should be used to help in decision-making, especially when investing close to the market or sector averages, and not going too far from it unless compelling reasons exist. This approach reduces emotional bias in investment decisions and places them on fundamentals, without straying far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy stocks near the average will not overpay. The net asset value of each company is incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also includes daily changes in stock prices and percentage year to date price movements based on the last traded price. Dividends that are paid or due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.