West Indies Petroleum’s huge JSE trade

Trading closed Thursday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a surge in the volume and value of stocks traded, following a sizable trade of 320 million shares of West Indies Petroleum. Trading resulted in major indices of the Main Market rising, while the Junior Market index and the JSE USD Market index fell after prices of 38 shares rose, 43 declined and 26 remained firm.

At the end of the market activity, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 2,580.93 points to finish at 378,391.64, with the All Jamaican Composite Index rising 3,631.95 points to close at 445,712.34, the JSE Main Index rallied 2,822.41 points to close at 374,004.07, the Junior Market Index declined by 16.40 points to end at 2,896.67 and the JSE USD Market Index shed 6.25 points to 313.18.
At the close of the market activity, 347,461,263 shares were traded in all three markets, up from just 26,285,516 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets surging to $3.17 billion, up from a mere $189.77 million on the previous day. Trading on the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 1,450,938 shares for US$597,546, up sharply from 413,008 units at US$76,788 on Wednesday.
In Main Market activity, West Indies Petroleum led trading with 320.03 million shares, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 3.02 million stocks and Wigton Energy with 2.96 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Dolla Financial led with 4.75 million shares, followed by Fontana with 4.48 million stocks and Woodcats International with 771,043 units.
Amongst the top winners of the Main Market ordinary share winners, Pan Jamaica increased $2 to end at $46.00, Carreras climbed $2 to finish at $35, Barita Investments climbed $1.19 to $66.00, Jamaica Producers rose $1.18 and ended at $21.50 and Sagicor Group advanced by 90 cents to finish at $41.00. Among the top losers, First Rock Real Estate slipped by $1.48 and ended at $5.52, GraceKennedy fell $1.20 to $75.00, Berger Paints dropped 95 cents to close at $5.45, Jamaica Broilers declined by 60 cents to close at $12.25, Proven Investments dropped  by 30 cents to $9.25 and Lasco Distributors declined 30 cents to end at $3.12.
In the preference share segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% shed $4 and ended at $30 and 138 Student Living preference share rose $15 to $220.
In the Junior Market, among the top winners, Dolphin Cove rallied $1.25 to finish at $12.15, Knutsford Express gained 34 cents to $7.99, Caribbean Cream rose 34 cents in closing at $2.15, Lasco Financial rallied 25 cents to close at $1.79 and Main Event increased 23 cents to finish at $4.23. Among the top losers, Cargo Handlers skidded $2.54 to end at $14.45, Blue Power shed 40 cents and ended at $3.25, Dolla Financial declined 25 cents to $3.25, Consolidated Bakeries shed 19 cents and ended at $1.26 and Future Energy dropped 15 cents to close at $3.53.
At the close of trading, the PE ratio for the current year, compiled from projected 2026-27 earnings, is 11.8 and 16.9 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 commonly used 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.