Trading plunges in JSE Markets

Trading dropped sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday with the total value of stocks traded falling well below the level on Tuesday, resulting in a mild increase in the Junior and Main Markets while the JSE USD market closed moderately lower as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands falling from the previous day and resulting in prices of 30 shares rising and 36 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 521.19 points to close at 324,949.98, the All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 478.95 points to end at 355,308.91 and the JSE Main Index increased 333.56 points to close at 311,816.17. The Junior Market Index rallied 28.16 points to end at 3,732.60 and the JSE USD Market Index lost 2.63 points to close at 221.86.
At the close of trading, 13,782,452 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 29,311,271 units on Tuesday with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $62.49 million, well below the $150.66 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 348,410 shares for US$8,206 compared to 45,233 units at US$2,425 on Tuesday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 5.51 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.98 million units and Lasco Manufacturing with 549,063 stock units.
In Junior Market trading, RA Williams led trading with 516,576 shares followed by EduFocal with 360,765 units and ONE on ONE Educational with 329,560 stock units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share sank $35.25 in closing at $199.74 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% dipped 50 cents to close at $104.50.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 21.5 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.2 times those for 2024-25 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends that are paid or are 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.