Declining stocks overwhelmed those rising at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday, after a rise in the volume of stocks traded, with a greater value than on Friday. Trading resulted in the major indices of the Main Market falling, the Junior Market index declining as the JSE USD Market jumped. At the end of trading, the prices of 34 shares rose, 55 declined and 29 remained firm.
At the end of the market activity, the JSE Combined Market Index skidded 1,513.73 points to end at 367,715.31, at the same time the All Jamaican Composite Index declined 406.99 points to end at 432,264.94, the JSE Main Index declined by 1,387.92 points to close trading at 362,239.35, the Junior Market Index dropped 26.01 points to finish at 2,976.42 and the JSE USD Market Index climbed 16.77 points to 279.34.
At the conclusion of the market, 23,059,975 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 21,001,194 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $133.92 million, up from $126.22 million on the previous day. Trading on the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 222,238 shares for US$21,598 compared to 3,291,527 units at US$2,445,825 on Friday.
In Main Market activity, Wigton Energy led trading with 5.72 million shares, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 5.44 million stocks and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.39 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Woodcats International led with 855,427 shares, followed by Atlantic Hardware with 791,489 stocks and Lumber Depot with 622,974 units.
In Main Market trading, the ordinary share movements ended with the top winners being, NCB Financial up $3 to a new one year high of $77.50, Sagicor Real Estate Fund popped $1.24 to end at $8.75, Eppley rallied $1.15 to $33.15, Caribbean Cement increased $1 to finish at $105.00 and Portland JSX climbing 87 cents and ended at $6.65.
Among the top Main market losers, Guardian Holdings fell $21 to close at $334.00, Sygnus Real Estate Finance lost $2.61 and ended at $7.39, Massy Holdings skidded $2.50 to $70.00, General Accident fell $1.60 to $8.40 and Quantas Advantage dipped $1.49 in closing at $17.50.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share declined by $22.50 and ended at $203.
In the Junior Market, among the top winners, Cargo Handlers gained $1.09 to end at $18.00, Consolidated Bakeries rallied 20 cents in closing at $1.50, Lasco Financial increased 19 cents to close at $2.10, Stationery and Office Supplies climbed 11 cents and ended at $1.63 and Regency Petroleum increased 10 cents to $4.30.
Among the top losers, Main Event shed 35 cents to end at $4.80, Knutsford Express lost 31 cents in closing at $6.45, AMG Packaging dipped 25 cents to $1.58, Mailpac Group skidded 19 cents and ended at $2.41 and Derrimon Trading dropped 18 cents to close at $1.26.
At the close of trading, the PE ratio for the current year, compiled from projected 2026-27 earnings, is 11.8 and 14.5 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 utilised 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.
