Trading drops on Junior Market

The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Wednesday, with a 48 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, with a 60 percent lower value than Tuesday with trading in 46 securities as was the case on Tuesday and ended with prices of 18 rising, 19 declining and nine closing unchanged, with KLE Group ending at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $2.48.
The Junior Market trading ended on Wednesday with 4,540,074 shares at $9,824,488 versus 8,723,426 units at $24,310,202 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 98,697 shares at $213,576 compared with 189,640 units at $528,483 on Tuesday with the month to date, averaging 185,449 units at $449,999 compared with 192,588 stock units at $469,455 on the previous day and more than January with an average of 175,081 units at $401,738.
Dolla Financial led trading with 1.06 million shares for 23.3 percent of the total volume followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 837,365 units for 18.4 percent of the day’s trade and EduFocal with 373,478 units for 8.2 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index rose 8.29 points to conclude trading at 3,803.26.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.1, 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 three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging advanced 34 cents to $3.08 with an exchange of just one share, Cargo Handlers rose 90 cents and ended at $14, with 842 stocks crossing the market, Caribbean Assurance Brokers lost 27 cents to close at $2.11 with investors dealing in 4,001 shares. Caribbean Cream rallied 12 cents in closing at $3.89 in an exchange of 6 stock units, Consolidated Bakeries shed 19 cents to end at $2.01 with traders dealing in 101 shares, Dolla Financial sank 14 cents to $2.70 as investors exchanged 1,059,407 units. Dolphin Cove increased 30 cents to end at $18.80 after a transfer of 119 stocks, EduFocal climbed 10 cents in closing at $1.45 with 373,478 stock units clearing the market, Express Catering popped 9 cents to close at $3.99 while exchanging 124 shares. Fontana dipped 15 cents and ended at $9.79, with 17,099 units passing through the market, Future Energy gained 8 cents to $3.70 in trading 51,568 stocks, Honey Bun rose 25 cents and ended at $6.70, with 2,250 stock units crossing the market. Indies Pharma climbed 18 cents in closing at $2.75 with investors trading 42,965 shares, Iron Rock Insurance fell 42 cents to close at $2.10 in an exchange of 375 units, ISP Finance increased by 50 cents to end at $31.50, with 22,796 stock units changing hands. Lasco Distributors popped 13 cents to $4 after an exchange of 23,090 shares, Limners and Bards dropped 12 cents to close at $1.50 with investors swapping 38,046 shares, Mailpac Group gained 13 cents and ended at $2.30 in switching ownership of 74,668 stock units. Main Event skidded 65 cents in closing at $13.55 after an exchange of 1,401 stocks, Stationery and Office Supplies advanced 18 cents to end at $1.83 following the trading of 143,479 units and Tropical Battery declined 10 cents to $2.40 after an exchange of 260,861 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.