Trading declined on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Thursday, with a 21 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded with a 58 percent lower value than on Wednesday. Market activity resulted in trading of 61 securities up from 56 on Wednesday, with prices of 22 rising, 21 declining and 18 ending unchanged.
The market closed with 14,434,229 shares trading worth $178,041,670 after decreasing from 18,472,919 stock units valued at $459,836,310 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 236,627 shares at $2,918,716 down sharply from 329,874 stock units at $8,211,363 on Wednesday and for the month to date, an average of 213,114 units at $2,323,907 just marginally higher than the preceding day with 210,420 shares at $2,254,927, but well below the average of 342,509 stock units at $2,726,829 for April.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 4.52 million shares for 30.9 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Energy with 2.38 million stocks for 16.3 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund closed with 2.35 million stocks for 16.1 percent of the volume traded and Massy Holdings with 1.0 million units for 6.9 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 938.16 points to 411,014.38, the JSE Main Index rallied 994.80 points to 348,970.47 and the JSE Financial Index increased by just 0.91 points to end at 65.69. At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows seven stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
The Main Market ended trading resulting in an average PE Ratio of 17.6. ICInsider.com compiles the JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts for companies with the financial year ending around August 2026.
At the close of trading, Berger Paints shed $1.45 in closing at a 52 weeks low of $4.05, following trading of 8,482 shares, ahead of the company posting solid first quarter results with an increase of 180 percent in net profit, Caribbean Cement declined 95 cents to $102.05 with investors dealing in 14,765 stock units, Carreras popped 49 cents to finish at $22.49 with 524,287 shares crossing the market. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund lost 50 cents and ended at $46 with investors trading 550 units, First Rock Real Estate dipped $1.12 to close at $8.85 with an exchange of 156 stocks, GraceKennedy sank $1.24 to end at $70.51 with 17,221 units clearing the market. 
Guardian Holdings gained $27.74 in closing at $348.74 with traders dealing in 216 stocks, Kingston Properties dropped 52 cents to $11.98 after exchanging 3,433 shares, Massy Holdings fell $1.25 and ended at $71.50 after traders swapped 1,003,962 stocks. Pan Jamaica rose 50 cents to $47 as investors traded 3,795 shares and Proven Investments climbed $1.43 to $12.54 with 10,365 stocks crossing the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share sank 50 cents to end at $19.50 in an exchange of 150 units. Productive Business Solutions 10.5% skidded $5 in closing at $1,130 with 13 stock units passing through the market, Sygnus Credit Investments 10% increased $2.50 to $109 with investors swapping 1,021 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% slipped $1 and ended at $103 after an exchange of 824 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.