Market Updates | Barita Insights | August 24, 2026

Local Equities Market

For the week ending August 21, 2026, the local stock market, measured by the Combined Index, declined by 0.22%. The Main Market Index declined by 0.12%, the Junior Market Index declined by 1.84%, and the JSE USD Equities Index declined by 1.70%. During the ISP Finance Services Limited was the largest gainer, rising by approximately 33.20% to close at $9.99. First Rock Real Estate Investments Limited was the biggest decliner, which fell by 24.22% to close at $5.57.

Large-cap stocks, reflecting those listed on the Main Market Index are outperforming on a YTD basis, improving by 17.24%, relative to its Junior Market counterpart which has declining by 15.22%.

For the week ending August 21, 2026, overall market activity resulted from 125 stocks of which 51 advanced, 64 declined and 10 traded firm. Market volume amounted to 459,816,534units valued at over $3,944,590,399.24. Key contributors to trading volume are West Indies Petroleum Terminal Limited with 320,059,137 (68.90%), followed by TransJamaican Highway Limited with 31,230,280 units (6.72%) and Woodcats International Limited with 12,770,756units (2.75%).

Revisiting relevant news during the week:

Brian Langrin appointed BOJ governor
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Economist Dr R Brian Langrin has been appointed governor of the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ), effective Wednesday, August 19, succeeding Richard Byles, whose term ends Tuesday.
Brian Langrin appointed BOJ governor

INFLATION STARTS TO SPREAD
The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) says higher energy, transport and food costs have begun feeding into prices elsewhere in the economy, but the central bank is keeping its policy rate at 5.50 per cent as it continues to assess the initial inflation shocks as largely temporary.
INFLATION STARTS TO SPREAD

Eppley property earnings accelerate, but shares remain heavily discounted
Epply Caribbean Property Fund’s Value Fund is in advanced talks to sell Carlisle House, one of its weakest-performing assets, with the Bds$7-million Bridgetown office building still nearly two-thirds vacant.
Eppley property earnings accelerate, but shares remain heavily discounted

Higher sales and tighter cost control triple profit for SOS
Higher stronger margins, and tighter control of operating expenses helped Stationery & Office Supplies Limited (SOS) to more than triple its net profit in the second quarter of 2026 as the company continued to strengthen its financial performance.
Higher sales and tighter cost control triple profit for SOS

Woodcats invests $30m to boost efficiency
Woodcats International Limited is using a slowdown in manufacturing and weaker demand for pallets to accelerate automation and develop new revenue streams, as a range of economic pressures weigh on its core market.
Woodcats invests $30m to boost efficiency

Unit Trust Fund 20/08/2026 13/08/2026 Week/Week Return Year-to-Date Return 1 Year Return Yield
Capital Growth 74.596 74.347 0.33% -3.15% -2.53% -
Money Market 18.763 18.763 0.00% 2.61% 5.74% 4.37%
Income Portfolio 100.00 100.00 - - - 4.70%
FX Bond Portfolio (US$) 1.698 1.694 0.25% 2.72% 10.22% 1.85%
Real Estate Portfolio 21,392.663 21,352.281 0.19% 14.81% 21.64% -
FX Growth Portfolio 1.505 1.520 -0.99% 7.18% 13.29% -
FX Income Accumulator 1.073 1.073 0.01% 1.81% 3.07% 4.85%

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