Market Updates | Barita Insights | October 13, 2025

For the week ending October 10, 2025, the local stock market, measured by the Combined Index, declined by 0.39%. The Main Market Index declined by 0.37%, the Junior Market Index declined by 0.63%, and the JSE USD Equities Index declined by 0.10%. During the week Medical Disposables & Supplies Limited was the largest gainer, rising by approximately 19.72% to close at $01.70. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy Limited was the biggest decliner, which fell by 15.17% to close at $42.50.

Large-cap stocks, reflecting those listed on the Main Market Index are outperforming on a YTD basis, declining by 4.02%, relative to its Junior Market counterpart which has declined by 10.17%.

For the week ending October 10, 2025, overall market activity resulted from 126 stocks of which 54 advanced, 52 declined and 20 traded firm. Market volume amounted to 63,626,142 units valued at over $468,430,748.59. Key contributors to trading volume are TransJamaican Highway Limited with 15,039,872 (23.18%), followed by Wigton Energy Limited with 5,362,305 units (8.26%) and Sagicor Select Funds Limited Manufacturing & Distribution with 5,258,839 units (8.10%).

Revisiting relevant news during the week:

EXPRESS CATERING’S US$5-M GAMBLE
If you’ve gone through Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (SIA) recently, you’ve likely passed a Margaritaville bar or a Bob Marley’s One Love shop. What you wouldn’t have seen is the financial engineering that has transformed the company behind these establishments, Express Catering Limited (ECL), from a simple airport concessionaire into a savvy brand consolidator poised for a national roll-out.
EXPRESS CATERING’S US$5-M GAMBLE

World economy not doing as badly as feared, says IMF chief
Washington, United States (AFP) — The global economy is doing better than expected, even as it faces prolonged uncertainty and underwhelming medium-term growth prospects, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Wednesday.
World economy not doing as badly as feared, says IMF chief

Lasco Dist signals selective price, product-mix adjustments to lift margins
After closing the 2025 financial year with record revenue but softer profits, Lasco Distributors Limited is shifting focus to rebuilding margins and restoring profit momentum.
Lasco Dist signals selective price, product-mix adjustments to lift margins

CariCRIS upgrades Access Financial credit rating
The Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services (CariCRIS) has upgraded the credit ratings for microcredit outfit Access Financial Services Limited (AFS) which recently surpassed $8 billion in consolidated assets.
CariCRIS upgrades Access Financial credit rating

S&P revises outlook to positive on NCB
Global Ratings on Monday changed its future view for NCB Financial Group (NCBFG) and its main banking unit, National Commercial Bank Jamaica (NCBJ), from “stable” to “positive”.
S&P revises outlook to positive on NCB

VMIL anchors regional expansion in Barbados, pivots to private equity and assets
VM Investments Limited (VMIL), a subsidiary of VM Financial Group Limited, is leveraging its presence in Barbados as a base for regional expansion, while evolving its portfolio to prioritise private equity and asset management alongside traditional wealth management services.
VMIL anchors regional expansion in Barbados, pivots to private equity and assets