6:00 PM, April 24, 2012 Miami – Caribbean markets closed mixed on Friday and for the week in a lackluster trading. Indexes in the Jamaica closed fractionally higher and decreased in Trinidad.

The JSE Market Index slumped 538.63 or 0.6% to 91,429.27 and the JSE Select Index decreased 38.32 or 1.4% to close at 2,728.28. For the week, the JSE Market Index fell 0.04%.

Trinidad Composite Index gained 0.80 or 0.1% to 1,006.88 and for the week the index decreased 0.4%. Bahamas Stock Exchange Index declined 7.90 or 0.6% to 1288.96.

Of the 15 stocks traded on Jamaica Stock Exchange, 4 increased, 9 decreased and 2 were unchanged.

In today’s trading in Kingston, 1,077,399 shares changed hands worth J$17 million. National Commercial Bank of Jamaica Ltd. led the most active list with a trading of 539,506 shares followed by Gleaner Company with 223,699.

Berger Paints Ltd. raised 1 cent to J$2.97 and traded 6,509 and Sagicor Life Jamaica Limited added 21 cents to J$11 and traded 1,700. Capital & Credit Financial Group Limited added 1 cent to J$4.65 and traded 1,000.

National Commercial Bank of Jamaica Ltd. plunged J$1.22 to J$25.29 and traded 539,506 and Gleaner Company fell 1 cent to J$1.82 and traded 223,699. Scotia Group Jamaica declined 36 cents to J$23.53 and traded 78,900.

Trinidad Market Overview

Trinidad Composite Index gained 0.80 or 0.1% to 1,006.88 and of the 9 stocks traded 4 advanced, 1 declined and 4 closed unchanged.

Angostura Holdings Limited led the most active list and gained 30 cent to TT$8.50 and traded 5,581 shares followed by Guardian Holdings Limited increased 1 cent to TT$14.16 and traded 5,004 shares and Scotia Investments Jamaica Limited added 1 cent to TT$2.40 and traded 4,741 shares.

National Enterprises Limited fell 1 cent to TT$14.14 and traded 1,178.

World Market Review

U.S. indexes gained after consumer confidence rose and corporate earnings were ahead of expectations but market gains were tempered after economy expanded less than estimated in the first quarter.

For the week, the S&P 500 index added 1.8% and the Nasdaq index gained 2.3%.

On the earnings front, Amazon said first quarter net declined 35% on a surge in Kindle stores revenue. Chevron first quarter net rose 4.2% to $6.47 billion. Ford Motor first quarter net plunged 45%. P&G third quarter net slumped 16% to $2.41 billion. Starbucks second quarter net rose 18.5% to $309.9 million and lifted annual outlook.

However, market sentiment in Europe was more cautious. The latest release of the confidence index in the euro zone offered another evidence of economic slowdown in the region and Spain said unemployment soared to 24.4%, the highest in the region. Bond yields of Spain and Italy advanced for the second week in a row as the governments race to complete 60% of annual debt target.

Ireland-based Jazz Pharmaceuticals agreed to acquire EUSA Pharma for $700 million. Earnings at BASF fell 29% but Daimler AG net rose 29% and Sanofi SA net jumped 50%.