Overall market activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) today resulted in 21 stocks of which 3 advanced, 8 declined and 10 traded firm. The JSE Market Index declined by 119.57 points (0.14%) to close at 82,596.92.

Lasco Shares surged in trading today after being enlisted on the JSE Junior Market yesterday, leading to increased buoyancy in the equities market with over 1k new investors being introduced to the market. The enlistment comes a month after an oversubscribed Initial Public Offering (IPO).
Lasco Manufacturing Ltd (LASM) had the biggest percentage gain on the JSE Junior Market, rising 31.6% to close at JMD 3.29. 520,692 units traded.
Lasco Distributors Ltd (LASD) was the volume leader on the JSE Junior Market today with 596,121 units traded. The stock gained 27.78% to close at JMD 3.22.
Lasco Financial Services Ltd (LASF) advanced 5.23% or JMD 0.15 to close at JMD 3.02 on the JSE Junior Market today. 174,043 units traded.

National Commercial Bank of Jamaica Ltd (NCBJ) was the volume leader today with 2,754,525 units traded. The stock traded firm at JMD 17.50.

RBL Leads Volumes on TTSE

Trading activity on the Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange (TTSE) today saw 11 stocks traded of which 2 advanced, 1 declined and 8 traded firm. The Composite Index advanced by 0.29 points (0.04%) to close at 809.93.

Republic Bank Ltd (RBL) was the volume leader today with 17,866 units crossing the floor, valuing TTD 1,214,893.91. The stock traded firm at TTD 68.00.

US Stocks Rise as CSX Results and China Reserves Boost Economic Optimism, Crude Oil Advances

US stocks rose, sending benchmarks to five-month highs, as CSX Corp (NYSE: CSX) posted better-than-expected results and China’s currency reserve increased to a record high, boosting optimism in the economic recovery . The S&P 500 Index advanced 0.9% to 1,180.29 at 11:34 am in New York. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) increased by 106.41 points or 1% to 11,126.81.

CSX Corp (NYSE: CSX) gained 3.8% to USD 59.45 after Q03 2010 Profit beat analysts’ expectation, leading industrial stocks to the biggest advance among the 10 industries in the S&P 500.

JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) and Intel Corp (NASDAQ: INTC) declined even after reporting better-than-expected Q03 2010 Profit. JPM fell 0.3% from a three-week high as Revenue missed some analysts’ forecasts. INTC fell 0.5% after gaining for six consecutive days.

Crude oil rose to USD 83.08 per barrel.

Join us again tomorrow. Happy investing on behalf of SSL!