However, Main Market index is down 2.5%

Durrant Pate/Contributor

The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) Junior Market is performing admirably, advancing by 22.7 per cent since the start of the year.

This reflects the continued improvement of investor sentiment around Junior Market companies in the manufacturing and distribution as well as hospitality and tourism sectors, as profits are expected to improve from a now fully reopened economy.

The Junior Market gains and activity are also being supported by the listing and trading of newly issued shares in EduFocal Limited, Spur Tree Spices Jamaica and JFP Limited.

MAIN JSE MARKET INDEX DOWN 2.5%

Edufocal was the volume leader last week with 51,767,703 units (30.77%) traded, followed by Spur Tree Spices Jamaica with 39,247,826 units (23.33%) and JFP Limited with 18,329,884 units (10.90%). Incidentally, these three are the most recently listed companies on the JSE and on the Junior Market.

The main JSE market index is down 2.5 per cent.

Last week, all the JSE indices, except for the Manufacturing & Distribution Index and the Cross Listed Index, advanced.

The prices of 54 stocks rose relative to a decline in 32 stocks driving the increase in the indices. The Junior Market continues to outperform the other indices, appreciating by 3.8 per cent week over week, relative to the 0.5 per cent growth for the main market.