Market Updates | Barita Insights | February 23, 2026

For the week ending February 20, 2026, the local stock market, measured by the Combined Index, improved by 0.53%. The Main Market Index improved by 0.47%, the Junior Market Index improved by 1.36%, and the JSE USD Equities Index improved by 7.16%. During the CAC 2000 Limited was the largest gainer, rising by approximately 19.05% to close at $2.00. Pulse Investments Limited was the biggest decliner, which fell by 17.00% to close at $0.83.

Large-cap stocks, reflecting those listed on the Main Market Index are outperforming on a YTD basis, improving by 7.68%, relative to its Junior Market counterpart which has declined by 1.88%.

For the week ending February 20, 2026, overall market activity resulted from 126 stocks of which 56 advanced, 58 declined and 12 traded firm. Market volume amounted to 94,035,336 units valued at over $1,234,780,627.85. Key contributors to trading volume are TransJamaican Highway Limited with 16,181,467 (16.32%), followed by Kintyre Holdings (JA) Limited with 10,881,636 units (10.98%) Atlantic Hardware and Plumbing Company Limited with 7,020,300 units (7.08%).

Revisiting relevant news during the week:

COOLING INFLATION INTENSIFIES RATE DEBATE AHEAD OF BOJ DECISION
The Bank of Jamaica’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is meeting this week with inflation now below its target band — altering the backdrop just days before a rate decision is announced and intensifying calls for easing.
COOLING INFLATION INTENSIFIES RATE DEBATE AHEAD OF BOJ DECISION

Agostini gets green light for Massy Ja acquisition
Trinidad-Based Agostini Limited is set to close its acquisition of Massy Distribution (Jamaica) Limited within days after securing a non- objection from the Fair Trading Commission (FTC), clearing a regulatory hurdle that had stalled the deal over insulin market concentration concerns.
Agostini gets green light for Massy Ja acquisition

FESCO profit surges 176.4 percent as margins widen
Fesco Energy Source Company Limited (FESCO) delivered its most profitable quarter on record as surging fuel volumes — boosted by a new service station and hurricane-related generator demand — combined with widening margins to drive a 176.4 per cent jump in earnings.
FESCO profit surges 176.4 per cent as margins widen

Woodcats IPO oversubscribed in first test of expanded Junior Market threshold
Retail demand for new equity offerings remains firm, with Woodcats International Limited’s initial public offering oversubscribed in what marks the first Junior Market deal under the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s expanded $750 million threshold.
Woodcats IPO oversubscribed in first test of expanded Junior Market threshold

Spur Tree profit surges 34 percent despite hurricane-hit quarter
Spur Tree Spices Jamaica Limited closed 2025 with a 34 per cent jump in annual profit, delivering record earnings despite a hurricane- disrupted fourth quarter that cut into its high-margin ackee business.
Spur Tree profit surges 34 per cent despite hurricane-hit quarter

From $5.42 billion to $210 million
In a single year before fiscal reforms tightened executive authority, Jamaica approved roughly $5.42 billion in discretionary tax waivers — more than 25 times the annual ceiling now allowed under the country’s post-IMF fiscal framework.
From $5.42 billion to $210 million