The value and volume of stocks traded on Thursday almost doubled trading levels on Wednesday, with volume rising 96 percent and the value 94 percent at the close of market activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as rising stocks were outpaced by those declining 3 to 1 resulting in a fall in the market indices.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 3,971.73 points to settle at 454,819.36, the Main Index fell 3,556.65 points to 413,911.60 and the JSE Financial Index shed 1.35 points to close at 100.60.
Trading ended with 51 securities compared to 55 on Wednesday, with 11 stocks rising, 29 declining and 11 remaining unchanged. The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 15.8 based on ICInsider.com forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
The market closed with 12,931,119 shares trading for $94,458,438 versus 6,588,680 units at $48,572,521 on Wednesday. Pulse Investments led trading with 36 percent of total volume after 4.64 million shares changed hands, followed by Wigton Windfarm 22.4 percent, with 2.90 million units and Transjamaican Highway with 14.5 percent for an exchange of 1.87 million units.
Trading averages 253,551 units at $1,852,126, compared to 119,794 shares at $883,137 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 184,149 units at $1,350,041. August closed with an average of 480,039 units at $8,561,549.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading has ten stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement shed 96 cents in closing at $106.24 in an exchange of 7,444 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund declined $1.47 to $38.53 with 47,391 shares crossing the market, First Rock Capital fell $1.11 to $12.61 with 21,248 stocks changing hands. GraceKennedy dipped 50 cents to $101 with the swapping of 79,434 shares, Jamaica Broilers shed 96 cents to close at $32.04 after 305,900 units crossed the exchange, Jamaica Producers advanced $2.45 to $24.50 in transferring 5,955 stocks. JMMB Group lost 50 cents to end at $37.50, with the swapping of 112,533 shares, Kingston Wharves dipped 60 cents to $48 in exchanging 1,095 stock units. Margaritaville fell $1.95 to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $13.20, with an exchange of 634 stock units. Mayberry Investments lost 25 cents in ending at $5.75 and trading 44 stocks. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dropped $5.50 to $120 in trading 555 shares, NCB Financial fell 70 cents to $129.30 in switching ownership of 205,686 stock units, 138 Student Living popped 59 cents to $5.09 in an exchange of 4,448 shares, Palace Amusement surged $101 to $1,100 with 2 units crossing the exchange. Proven Investments rose 57 cents to $33.60 in transferring 3,380 stocks, Pulse Investments rallied 43 cents to $3.98 with the swapping of 4,641,053 shares, Radio Jamaica lost 25 cents to end at $3.50 in switching ownership of 311,137 stocks.
Sagicor Group declined $1 to $56 in exchanging 24,877 shares, Salada Foods traded 201 shares and gained 20 cents to close at $7.25, Seprod shed $1.01 in ending at $64.99 after 21,342 stock units crossed the market and Sygnus Credit Investments lost 46 cents in closing at $16.44 in switching ownership of 70,957 stocks.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share rose 57 cents to $6.57 in an exchange of 46 units, JMMB Group 7.15% – 2028 lost 36 cents to end at $2.99 with 100 shares changing hands and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% spiked $20.50 to close at $102 after an exchange of 10,000 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
