However, overall market sentiment remains low

Durrant Pate/Contributor

Trading on Jamaica’s equities market is picking up slightly from the halt caused by the passage of Hurricane Melissa last week, with trading volume rebounding, notwithstanding a decline in value last week.

Total market volume climbed to 101.68 million units valued at J$271.21 million, marking a 41.9% increase in volume but a 42.7% decline in value week-over-week. Market concentration also increased notably, as the top three volume leaders accounted for 57.2% of total trades, up from 28.3% in the prior week. 

This points to a narrower breadth of market participation last week with trading activity concentrated in a few stocks, namely – Wigton Energy with 32.49 million units (31.94%), AMG Packing & Paper with 16.25 million units (15.98%) and TransJamaican Highway (TJH) with 9.46 million units (9.31%). Despite the pickup in trading volume, overall market sentiment remained low. 

The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) Combined Index edged down 0.4%, a continuation of the previous trend and a likely reflection of modest softening in investor confidence after the hurricane-related disruption. Of the 117 stocks that traded, 41 advanced, 52 declined, and 24 were unchanged. The main laggards included A.S. Bryden & Sons Holdings(-14.95%) and Wisynco Group (-2.72%). 

Mixed performance in sub-indices

Across the sub-indices, performance was mixed. Four of the remaining eight JSE indices declined, led by the JSE Manufacturing & Distribution (M&D) (-1.25%) and the USD Equities Indices (-1.17%). In the Manufacturing & Distribution (M&D) space, share price declines for A.S. Bryden & Sons, Wisynco, Carreras (-2.17%), and Jamaica Broilers Group (-5.33%) collectively weighed down the index.

Meanwhile, the USD Equities Index was pulled lower by  (-3.28%) and FirstRock Real Estate Investments (-6.25%). Despite the USD share price decline, TJH announced that its subsidiary, TransJam Highway Operators Limited (THO), executed a Concession Agreement with NROCC on October 23, 2025  for the operation of the Phase 1C (May Pen to Williamsfield) section of the highway.

The JSE Financial Index (+0.78%) was the standout performer for the week, buoyed by gains in key financials such as Sagicor Group Jamaica (+3.04%), Proven Investments (+4.31%), and Guardian Holdings (+0.64%). The sector benefited from dividend news, with GHL declaring a quarterly dividend of TT$0.23 per share.