Helped by a $1.07 jump by West Indies Petroleum on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, closed at a new year high on Wednesday, following trading in 61 securities compared with 58 on Tuesday, with prices of 20 rising, 25 declining and 16 ending unchanged. At the close, the volume of stocks traded declined a mere 3 percent with an 18 percent lower value compared to Tuesday.
The market closed with 14,708,083 shares trading worth $73,546,829, compared with 15,161,289 stock units at $89,302,685 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 241,116 shares at $1,205,686, down from 261,402 stocks for $1,539,701 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 220,540 stock units at $1,202,832 compared with 213,606 shares at $1,201,871 on the previous day and December with an average of 395,435 stock units at $4,321,753.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 6.69 million shares for 45.5 percent of total volume followed by Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund which ended with 2.68 million stocks for 18.2 percent of the day’s trade and Innovative Energy with 1.13 million units for 7.7 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 3,581.55 points to settle at 372,436.50, the JSE Main Index advanced 3,065.20 points to settle at 323,948.39 and the JSE Financial Index increased 0.20 points to wrap up trading at 63.98.
At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 12 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 15.2. The JSE Main and the USD Market PE ratios are based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with fiscal year ending around August 2026.
At the close, AS Bryden gained $2.25 to close at $33.45 clearing the market with 314 shares, Barita Investments rose $5 to $75 in switching ownership of 88,706 stock units, First Rock Real Estate lost 50 cents and ended at $10 trading 21,837 shares. GraceKennedy climbed 99 cents in closing at $70 crossing the market 81,022 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange increased 79 cents to finish at $11.79 as investors exchanged 42,571 stocks, Massy Holdings dipped 99 cents to end at $75.01 after a transfer of 1,185 units. Proven Investments popped 79 cents to $15 with investors swapping 38,549 stocks, 
Scotia Group sank $1.59 to end at $50.65 after an exchange of 5,766 shares, West Indies Petroleum rallied $1.07 in closing at $4.52 with investors dealing in 7 stock units and Wisynco Group skidded 74 cents to finish at $19.20 in an exchange of 40,108 shares.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share sank 70 cents and ended at $18.50 with traders dealing in 2,716 stocks, Jamaica Public Service 7% rose $4.72 to close at $43.80 closed at 34 units. 138 Student Living preference share declined $34.75 to $215.25 with investors trading 2 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% rose $3.94 to end at $103.95 with an exchange of 1 share.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.