Trading rises on the Jamaica Stock Exchange

Trading activity picked up moderately on the Jamaica Stock Exchange but resulted in modest declines the markets with trading ending with the number of stocks changing hands rising, after the value of stocks traded jumped over the previous trading day, with NCB Financial contributing with the highest value with the market closing with prices of 33 shares rising and 42 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index shed 262.85 points to end at 333,763.14, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 486.01 points to 358,584.22, the JSE Main Index lost 131.88 points to wrap up trading at 320,662.11. The Junior Market Index fell 19.58 to 3,873.73 and the JSE USD Market Index inched 0.07 points lower to 236.37.
At the close of trading, 14,070,427 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 7,495,887 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $94.57 million, well over the $73.15, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 492,062 shares for US$57,344 compared to 107,250 units at US$8,800 on Friday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.41 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.64 million stock units, QWI Investments chipped in with 1.21 million units and General Accident with 1.03 million stock units.
In Junior Market trading, Tropical Battery led trading with 682,451 shares followed by Lumber Depot with 368,183 stocks and Caribbean Assurance Brokers with 227,450 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share dropped $1.50 to finish at $18.50, Jamaica Public Service 7% increased $6.42 to close at $48.93 and 138 Student Living preference share slipped $18 to finish at $200.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 22 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.5. times those for 2024-25 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the 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 the more detailed daily report 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 reported as a guide for investors to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable 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.