Market Updates | Barita Insights | March 9, 2026

For the week ending March 06, 2026, the local stock market, measured by the Combined Index, declined by 0.95%. The Main Market Index declined by 1.00%, the Junior Market Index declined by 0.27%, and the JSE USD Equities Index declined by 0.62%. During the Sagicor Real Estate X Fund Ltd. was the largest gainer, rising by approximately 23.28% to close at $9.85. A.S. Bryden & Sons Holdings Limited was the biggest decliner, which fell by 16.08% to close at $27.25.

Large-cap stocks, reflecting those listed on the Main Market Index are outperforming on a YTD basis, improving by 7.94%, relative to its Junior Market counterpart which has declined by 1.09%.

For the week ending March 06, 2026, overall market activity resulted from 128 stocks of which 45 advanced, 63 declined and 20 traded firm. Market volume amounted to 156,336,934 units valued at over $646,659,513.16. Key contributors to trading volume are R.A. Williams Distributors Limited with 47,171,371 (29.86%), followed by TransJamaican Highway Limited with 16,339,487 units (10.34%) Kintyre Holdings (JA) Limited with 14,125,150 units (8.94%).

Revisiting relevant news during the week:

WAR WATCH: OIL SURGE RATTLES CARIBBEAN OUTLOOK
Escalating tensions between the United States and Iran are emerging as a new external risk for Caribbean economies, with regional officials warning that rising oil prices and global uncertainty could quickly spill over into higher living costs and weaker tourism demand.
WAR WATCH: OIL SURGE RATTLES CARIBBEAN OUTLOOK

MELISSA COST CLIMBS TO $1.95T, EQUIVALENT TO 56.7 PER CENT OF GDP
Post-weather assessments confirm that Hurricane Melissa now ranks not only as the strongest storm on record to strike Jamaica, but also the costliest, with the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) placing total damage, losses and associated costs at nearly $2 trillion — several billions more than previously projected
MELISSA COST CLIMBS TO $1.95T, EQUIVALENT TO 56.7 PER CENT OF GDP 

Fitch lifts downgrade warning on NCBJ as hurricane impact deemed manageable
Fitch Ratings removed National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCBJ) from Rating Watch Negative, saying the economic fallout from Hurricane Melissa is unlikely to materially impair the bank’s credit profile.
Fitch lifts downgrade warning on NCBJ as hurricane impact deemed manageable 

Hurricane recovery sales drive growth for Omni
OMNI Industries Limited closed 2025 on a strong financial footing, delivering double-digit revenue growth as post-hurricane reconstruction activity and steady construction demand fuelled its performance.
Hurricane recovery sales drive growth for Omni

Carreras heightens call for crackdown on illicit trade as tax on cigarette looms
As the Jamaican Government prepares to implement an increase in the Special Consumption Tax (SCT) on cigarettes, marketing and distribution company Carreras Limited is calling for stronger enforcement measures to combat illicit trade, warning that without tighter controls the higher levy could unintentionally fuel the underground market.
Carreras heightens call for crackdown on illicit trade as tax on cigarette looms