Jamaica’s Two-Tier Market
Jamaica’s stock market showed a clear split in October as most shares declined sharply, counterbalancing gains in a few major companies. This caused the main index to drop 3.86% for the year, according to the latest data from the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE).
The JSE Combined Index decreased by 0.73% in October, closing at 322,820.76. Market breadth highlighted the challenges, with an advance/decline ratio of just 14:36 on the main market—meaning more than two stocks fell for every one that rose.
This pattern points to a longer-term concentration of gains: the average stock price on the main market dropped 6.65% year-to-date, as shown in the JSE analysis.
Market Performance Highlights
- Carreras Limited, a tobacco company, surged 64.75% over one year.
- MPC Caribbean Clean Energy Ltd, a renewable energy firm, plunged 45.72%.
- Caribbean Cement Company rose 32.30% annually.
- Guardian Holdings gained 20.14% over the year.
- Jamaica Broilers Group, in agribusiness, dropped 35.52%.
- NCB Financial Group declined 20.47%.
- JMMB Group fell 24.80%.
The Junior Market, which focuses on small-cap stocks, experienced an even steeper decline, with the index falling 9%.
"For every one stock that rose, more than two fell."
This reflects widening disparities within sectors, where select companies excelled while others faced significant selling pressure.
Author’s summary: Jamaica's stock market in 2025 shows a sharp divide, with a few major winners contrasting widespread declines, leading to an overall weakening of the main and junior indices.