JSE Markets ends week negatively

Trading surged sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday but the Main Market suffered more declines at the close, even as Transjamaica Highway continues to hit record closing highs as the indices suffered another four digit fall, following the previous two trading days while the Junior Market just slipped below Thursday’s close, after opening at 3,854.64 points, but market index stayed above the 3,800 mark for a third day while JSE USD Market eked out a modest rise at the close.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 2,327.36 points to 340,265.44, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 2,291.49 points to close at 361,603.11, the JSE Main Index dived 2,486.07 points to 327,334.20, the Junior Market Index dipped 0.84 points to settle at 3,806.04 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 0.05 points to close at 238.91.
Preference shares with notable movement but are not in the Main Market TOP10 graphs are Eppley 7.50% preference share with a rise of $1.28 to $7.48, Jamaica Public Service 7% down $3.35 to $60.48 and 138 Student Living preference share up $13.99 to $87.99.
At the close, investors exchanged 52,143,554 shares in all three markets, with NCB Financial accounting for 22,747,667 shares valued at $1.55 billion. Trading on Thursday amounted to 19,714,383 shares in all three markets, with the value of stocks trading amounting to $1.637 billion, down from $161.15 million. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors exchanging 857,775 shares for US$11,684 compared to 269,277 units at US$11,912 on Thursday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.1 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.4 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and put in 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 ICInsider.com PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.

Big fall for JSE Main Market USD Market up

The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange stayed above the 3,800 mark that it reached on Wednesday but slipped marginally at the close after rising sharply in the morning session, the JSE USD Market bounced during the day, but the Main Market declined sharply for a second day, the fourth day of decline since last week Friday, following increased trading over Wednesday.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 3,572.73 points to 342,592.8, the All Jamaican Composite Index dived 4,628.88 points to 363,894.60, the JSE Main Index plunged 3,811.14 points to 329,820.27, the Junior Market Index dipped 1.81 points to settle at 3,806.88 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 9.27 points to close at 238,86.
Preference shares that are not in the Main Market TOP10 graphs are Eppley 5% preference share, that fell $3 to close at $17, Eppley 7.50% preference share with a fall of $1.28 to close at $6.20, while Jamaica Public Service 7% dipped $14.77 to $63.83 and 138 Student Living preference share dropped $13.99 and ended at $74.
At the close, investors exchanged 19,714,383 shares in all three markets, up from 9,796,640 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks trading amounting to $161.15 million, down from $58.16 million on Wednesday. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors exchanging 269,277 shares for US$11,912 compared to 757,348 units at US$ 10,500 on Wednesday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.3 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.3 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and put in 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 ICInsider.com PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.

Juniors rise as others fall

The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed over the 3,800 mark for the first time since March 13, but the other markets declined at the close of trading on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks trading declining as the value rose moderately above Tuesday’s level.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index fell 2,224.20 points to 346,165.48, the All Jamaican Composite Index declined 2,652.86 points to close at 368,523.48, the JSE Main Index shed  2,552.97 points to close at 333,631.41, the Junior Market Index rose 17.25 points to end at 3,808.69 and the JSE USD Market Index dipped 11.81 points to close at 229.59.
The preference share that is not in the Main Market TOP10 graphs is Jamaica Public Service 7% which rallied $11.88 in closing at $78.60.
At the close, investors exchanged 9,796,640 shares in all three markets, down from 12,241,458 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks trading amounting to $58.16 million, down from $56 million on Tuesday. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors exchanging 757,348 shares for US$10,500 compared to 26,137 units at US$3,700 on Tuesday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.4 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.3 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and put in 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 ICInsider.com PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.

All JSE Markets rose on Tuesday

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All the markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange put in a good showing on Tuesday with all three market indices rising at the close with volume and value of stocks trading falling below Monday’s levels.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index rallied 1,237.03 points to 348,389.68, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,720.36 points to end at 371,176.34, the JSE Main Index added 866.00 points to settle at 336,184.38, the Junior Market Index that fell 40.76 points on Monday rose 46.87 points to end at 3,791.44 on Tuesday and the JSE USD Market Index rose 7.07 points to 241.40.
There were no shares in the preference segment of the Main Market not included in the TOP10 graphs that ended with a notable price change.
At the close, investors exchanged 12,241,458 shares in all three markets, down from 20,210,036 units on Monday, with the value of stocks trading amounting to $56 million down from $83.8 million on Monday. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors exchanging 26,137 shares for US$3,700 compared to 144,256 units at US$3,922 on Monday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.5 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.4 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and put in 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 ICInsider.com PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.

 

All JSE Market drop on Monday

The markets closed lower on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday with trading volume and value falling bellows Friday’s levels and providing limited support to the market’s prices.
The JSE Combined Market Index fell 633.59 points to 347,152.65, the All Jamaican Composite Index declined by 1,262.06 points to 369,455.98, the JSE Main Index fell 279.16 points to 335,318.38, the Junior Market Index fell 40.76 points to 3,744.57 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 3.96 points to 234.26.
Shares in the preference segment of the Main Market not included in the TOP10 graphs ended with Jamaica Public Service 7% falling $11.78 to close at $66.72.
At the close, investors exchanged 20,210,036 shares in all three markets, down from 29,251,124 18 units on Friday, with the value of stocks trading amounting to $83.8 million down from $94.5 million on Friday. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors exchanging 144,256 shares for US$3,922 compared to 112,013 units at US$25,887 on Friday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.6 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.4 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and put in 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 ICInsider.com PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.

Profit returns for Caribbean Cream

Following a torrid 2022 fiscal year, with a loss before taxation of $13.7 million, Caribbean Cream delivered a much better performance in the fiscal year to February this year, with pretax profit of $41.8 million and $27 million after accounting for $14.7 million for taxes, up from a $9 million loss in 2022 in a year that finance cost almost doubled to $66 million from $34 million in 2022, from increased borrowings.
Sale revenues for the just completed year rose 20 percent to $2.5 billion from $2.1 billion in 2022. In the final quarter, revenues climbed 22.5 percent to $674 million from $553 million in 2022 and increased 17 percent over the $576 million in the November 2022 quarter. In contrast, revenues for the 2022 February quarter were 10 percent more than the $501 million generated in the November 2021 quarter. All in all, the 2023 fiscal year performance was well ahead of the year to February 2022, even as the year started with just $1.3 million in profit with cost of sales at 73.2 percent with the second quarter being slightly better with cost of sales down to 70.7 percent and profit improving to $7.2 million as both volume improvement and price adjustment to the output chipped in to help improve the bottom line.
Kremi, as the company is known, has had a checkered history with Profit meandering from 2015 to 2023. (See Chart)
Since 2020 the company has faced increased input costs that squeezed profit margin. In the latest fiscal year, cost of sales dropped to 64 percent in the final quarter compared to 69 percent for the year and 71 percent for the nine months to November. The jump in revenues in the fourth quarter over the November quarter would have helped to improve the margin, but it appears that raw material costs fell compared with the earlier months of the fiscal year. In 2022 cost of sales was 71.6 percent and 66.6 percent in 2021.
Cost of sales rose 16 percent, slower than sales in 2023, to $1.73 billion from $1.49 billion in 2022, with gross profit rising faster than revenues, a positive development with an increase of 31 percent to $593 million from $775 million in 2022. The cost of raw materials used in sales rose 16 percent to $1.17 billion, compared with a 33 percent rise in fiscal year 2022 over 2021. Milk solids, one of the primary raw materials, about 70 percent that is used in producing ice cream moved from an average of US$3,355 per ton in 2018 to US$5,067 in 2022 and is now $4,676 in 2023, down 9 percent. In 2022 the cost rose by 29 percent, these movements, coupled with exchange rate changes for the Jamaican dollar, would have pushed up the company’s production cost; also affecting cost would be a 7 percent movement in the exchange rate between the Jamaica dollar and the US dollar. If continued, falling commodity prices in 2023 will lower the cost for them and help improve profits. Also of note is that the price of crude oil is now 38 percent less than it was in 2023 at the start of June and that feeds directly into utility cost incurred in production, which was $166 million, 16 percent higher than 2022 and 19 percent more in Administration with $99 million versus $83 million in 2022.
Administrative expenses rose 17 percent to $598 million from $512 the previous year. Marketing and sales expenses increased by 18 percent to $72 million from $61 million in 2022 and depreciation came in at $100 million, marginally down from $102 million in 2022. Some $930 million is tied up in construction in progress at the end of the fiscal year and will result in the charge rising appreciably in the 2024 fiscal year when those assets are transferred to fixed assets but will reduce the actual taxation payable as capital allowances in the first year, will reduce the actual tax liability that will be payable. Finance cost jumped 91 percent to $66 million from $34.5 million in 2022, but a significant portion of the loans have interest rates capped and will not result in increases in the current period.
Gross cash flow generated $195 million from operating activities, up from just $53 million in 2022. Funds internally generated were augmented by loan inflows of $353 million and funds at the start of the year amounting to $145 million, which helped to fund additions to fixed assets of $541 million.
The total Current assets ended the year at $535 million inclusive of trade and other receivables of $157 million, cash and bank balances of $67 million, down from $146 million in 2022. Current liabilities ended at $389 million, up from $313 million and net current assets ended the period at $167 million, down from $212 million in 2022.
At the end of December, shareholders’ equity stood at $826 million, with long term borrowings at $920 million, up from $603 million in 2022 and short term at $107 million against $67 million in 2022. The increased borrowing helped to fund additions to fixed assets amounting to $542 million during the year, of which $490 million is construction in progress.
Earnings per share came out at just 7 cents for the year, with a steep PE of 45.7, but earnings for the current year are expected to jump well over that for 2023. IC Insider.com forecasts a considerable increase of 90 cents per share for the fiscal year ending February 2024, with a PE of 3.6 times the current year’s earnings based on the price of $3.20 the stock traded at on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market and a net asset of $2.18.
The company did not pay a dividend in 2022 but 6.94 cents in 2021.
The company may have faltered over the last two years, but it has shown in the past that it can recover. Additionally, it is not going away anytime soon. It will recover lost ground as they invest in its manufacturing operations to generate cost reductions, greater efficiency, and improved profit. The first quarter results due by July should show the first signs of this robustness as the company reports a significant profit improvement over the 2022 first quarter and a better than the 2023 February quarter.
What should investors do? Investors should buy the stock that is selling well below potential as investors reacted negatively to poor results reported in 2022 before the release of the 2023 results.

Kremi tops ICTOP10 Lasco Manufacturing in

Iron Rock Insurance ended the past week up 14 percent to $2.25 and Lasco Distributors climbed 11 percent to $2.77 after both jumped 34 percent and 21 percent, respectively, earlier in the week, with two new stocks entering the Junior Market ICTOP10. At the same time, the Main Market TOP10 delivered moderate up and down movements. 
The Lasco Distributors  price movement follows release of full year results with earnings of 38.5 cents per share, with ICInsider.com projecting earnings of 55 cents for the fiscal year ending March 2024, leaving much room for solid upside price movement in the months ahead.
Lasco Manufacturing (LasM) and Caribbean Cream (Kremi) released improved full year results over those for 2022. Importantly, ICInsider.com forecast for the 2024 fiscal year is 70 cents per share for LasM and 90 cents for Kremi, with both entering the TOP10 this week, with one at the top and one at the bottom. Iron Rock Insurance and Edufocal fell from the Junior Market TOP10 to make way for the two stocks.

The stock rising in the ICTOP10 Junior Market, apart from those mentioned in the opening paragraph, is Consolidated Bakeries, with an increase of 4 percent to $2.27. At the same time, Caribbean Assurance Brokers, iCreate and One on One dipped 4 percent to $2.40, $1.26 and $1.10 respectively.
The price of Main Market listed Caribbean Producers, popped 5 percent in closing at $10.06, Key Insurance fell 11 percent to $2.80 and 138 Student Living lost 8 percent in value to close at $5.15.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP10 is 5.9, well below the market average of 13.5. The Main Market TOP10 is projected to have an average of 259 percent, to May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The 15 most highly valued Main Market stocks are priced at a PE of 15 to 110, with an average of 28 and 19 excluding the highest PE stocks and 18 for the top half excluding the stocks with the highest valuation.
The Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.3 compared with the market at 10.5. There are 10 stocks representing 21 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 24, averaging 19 are well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 15, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently. Junior Market is projected to rise by 295 percent to May 2024.

Lasco’s ICool drinks.

The differences between the average PE ratio of the Main and Junior Markets and the overall market valuation are important indicators of the level of likely gains for ICTOP10 stocks.
In the market generally, Investors continue to nibble away at a number of stocks and, in the process, gradually reduce the supply of several stocks that are attractively priced as the market moves toward the summer months, the start of the stock market year.
A look behind the supply chain shows an ever decreasing number of stocks on offer. The list includes Caribbean Assurance Brokers with strong buying interest between $1.88 and $2.40, but limited selling above $2.50, Caribbean Cement, Caribbean Producers (CPJ), Fontana, Dolphin Cove, Honey Bun, Main Event, Massey Holdings, Seprod, Transjamaican and Wisynco have started to look positive. Supplies of some stocks are being quietly sucked out of the market, setting the stage for a sustained rally sometime down the road. ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners. Accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market but not always. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to the end of May 2023 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate, resulting in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.

Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.

Main Market drops Junior Market rises

Trading closed mixed for a second day with the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declining and the JSE USD market slipping moderately while the Junior Market recovered all of Thursday’s loss, following an increase in volume and value of stocks traded on the entire market compared with trading on Thursday.
Trading ended after the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 2,380.52  points to 347,786.24, the All Jamaican Composite Index fell 2,090.32 points to end at 370,718.04, the JSE Main Index shed 2,685.82 points to close at 335,597.54, the Junior Market Index rose 13.71 points to end at 3,785.33 and the JSE USD Market Index dipped 0.35 points to end at 238.22.
Shares in the preference segment of the Main Market not included in the TOP10 graphs ended with Productive Business 10.50% preference share rising $25 in closing at $1250 and 138 Student Living preference share shedding $1.25 to close at $88.
At the close, investors exchanged 29,251,124 shares in all three markets, up from 21,422,118 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks trading amounting to $94.5 million down from $86.8 million on Thursday. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors exchanging 112,013 shares for US$25,887 compared to 147,149 units at US$2,647 on Thursday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.5 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.4 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and put in 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 ICInsider.com PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.

 

Main Market rises into a new month

Trading started off in June with mixed results, with the Main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange rising on Thursday, but the Junior Market and the JSE USD market declined to start off June negatively as volume and value declined sharply lower compared with trading on Wednesday.
The JSE Combined Market Index climbed 1,509.57 points to close at 350,166.76, while the All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 2,332.39 points to end at 372,808.36, the JSE Main Index rallied 1,749.45 points to 338,283.36, with the Junior Market Index shedding 13.41 points to end at 3,771.62 and the JSE USD Market Index dipped 4.12 points to end at 238.57.
Shares in the preference segment of the Main Market not included in the TOP10 graphs ended with Jamaica Public Service 7% rose $9.20 to close at $78.50 and 138 Student Living preference share shed $15.75 to close at $89.25.
At the close, investors exchanged 21,422,118 shares in all three markets, down from 41,266,577 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks trading amounting to $86.8 million down from $199.8 million on Wednesday. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors exchanging 147149 shares for US$2,647 compared to 842,727 units at US$97,351 on Wednesday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.5 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.4 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and put in 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 ICInsider.com PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.

Month-end gains for JSE stocks

Stocks closed higher on the Jamaica Stock Exchange in trading on Wednesday, with the Junior Market squeezing out a third consecutive day of gains while the JSE USD market jumped sharply at the end of trading also closed higher, and the JSE Main market closed just higher in the final minutes before the close, following a sharp pick up in trading on Tuesday’s levels.
The JSE Combined Market Index rallied 854.92 points to 348,657.19, the All Jamaican Composite Index popped 112.20 points to 370,475.97, the JSE Main Index rose 696.33 points to 336,533.91, the Junior Market Index managed to hold on a gain of 22.41 points to end at 3,785.03 and the JSE USD Market Index dropped 30.40 points to end at 242.69.
Shares in the preference segment of the Main Market not included in the TOP10 graphs ended with  Productive Business 10.50% preference share popping $124 to $1225 as Jamaica Public Service 7% rose $9.30 to close at $69.30.
At the close, investors exchanged 41,266,573 shares in all three markets, up from 17,543,277 units on Monday, with the value of stocks trading amounting to $199.8 million from $73.68 million on Monday. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors exchanging 842,727 shares for US$97,351 compared to 15,452 units at US$986 on Monday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 17.8 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.6 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and put in 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 ICInsider.com PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.