Stocks were in increased demand in Thursday’s trading on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulting in a sharp, 265 percent jump in the value traded over Wednesday, with GraceKennedy accounting for $80.8 million, as the volume of stocks lagged far behind with just a 13 percent rise. Trading activity resulted in 61 securities changing hands compared with 62 on Wednesday, with prices of 26 rising, 24 declining and 11 ending unchanged.
The market closed with 8,541,634 shares trading for $172,991,340 after increasing from 7,545,813 stock units for just $47,368,831 on Wednesday.
Trading ended with an average of 140,027 shares at $2,835,924, up from the 121,707 stock units at $764,013 on Wednesday. Trading for the month to date, averages 166,923 stock units at $1,567,459 compared with 169,126 shares at $1,463,598 on the previous day and October with an average of 210,503 stock units at $1,467,012.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 2.59 million shares for 30.4 percent of total volume, followed by Supreme Ventures ending with 1.46 million stock units for 17.1 percent of the day’s trade and GraceKennedy with 1.12 million units for 13.1 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index gained 672.77 points in ending at 358,405.69, the JSE Main Index advanced 937.05 points to 313,888.38 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.85 points to 64.44. At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.2. The JSE Main and the USD Market PE ratios are based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2026.
At the close of the market, AS Bryden shed $3.34 to close at $30.20 with investors trading 500 shares, Berger Paints gained 71 cents to end at $6.41 with 1,101 stocks passing through the market, Carreras rose 68 cents to $17.93 with investors trading 80,103 units. Eppley rallied by $3.99 in closing at $34.99 with 246 shares switching ownership, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund lost $1 and ended at $45 with 271 stock units changing hands, General Accident fell 82 cents to finish at $6 with investors dealing in just 5,494 shares. GraceKennedy dropped $1.90 to $72 after an exchange of 1,119,768 stocks, Jamaica Broilers sank $1.73 to end at $18.12 with 107,286 units crossing the market, JMMB Group dipped 35 cents in closing at $17.05 with an exchange of 28,197 stock units. Kingston Properties sank 88 cents to finish at $8.12 after 69 shares were traded, , Mayberry Group increased 59 cents and ended at $7.14 in an exchange of 2,097 stock units, Proven Investments skidded $1.09 to close at $15.10 with investors swapping 7,149 units. Sagicor Group popped 78 cents to $39.92 with a transfer of 6,059 stocks, 
Sagicor Real Estate Fund rallied 50 cents to end at $8 as investors exchanged 9,954 shares, Scotia Group slipped 50 cents to end at $50.50 after a transfer of 5,386 stocks. Seprod advanced $1.95 in closing at $81.95 with traders dealing in 4,813 units, Supreme Ventures declined $2.68 to close at $15.17 in an exchange of 1,459,534 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments fell 35 cents to finish at $12 after closing with an exchange of 27,919 shares.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% popped 50 cents to $42.50 after 2,303 units changed hands, 138 Student Living preference share dropped $30 to end at $225 with 50 stocks passing through the market and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% rallied $15.15 in closing at $101 after 901 stock units crossed the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.