6:00 PM, April 5, 2012 Miami – Caribbean markets traded lower as trading volume in Jamaica rebounded sharply. Trading in world markets was subdued ahead of long weekend. GraceKennedy and Cable & Wireless Jamaica Ltd were among the most actively traded in Kingston.

The JSE Market Index decreased 263.66 or 0.3% to 92,148.99 and the JSE Select Index fell 14.94 to close at 2,775.62.

Trinidad Composite Index fell 0.74 to 1,010.45 and. Bahamas Stock Exchange Index rose 0.09 to 1304.43.

Of the 21 stocks traded on Jamaica Stock Exchange, 9 increased, 9 decreased and 3 were unchanged.

In today’s trading in Kingston, 3,878,062 shares changed hands worth J$56.4 million. Cable & Wireless Jamaica Ltd. led the most active list with a trading of 1,779,017 shares followed by GraceKennedy Ltd. with 600,270.

GraceKennedy Ltd. soared 91 cents to J$60 and traded 600,270 and Jamaica Money Market Brokers Ltd. added 70 cents to J$11.19 and traded 185,440. National Commercial Bank of Jamaica Ltd. added 3 cents to J$26.55 and traded 47,211.

Cable & Wireless Jamaica Ltd. fell 2 cents to 15 cents and traded 1,779,017 and Sagicor Life Jamaica Limited decreased 22 cents to J$10.74 and traded 476,163. Scotia Group Jamaica declined 66 cents to J$23.18 and traded 327,048.

Trinidad Market Overview

Trinidad Composite Index fell 0.74 to 1,010.45 and of the 7 stocks traded none advanced, 3 declined and 4 closed unchanged.

Sagicor Financial Corporation decreased 5 cents to TT$7.50 and traded 47,575 and Republic Bank Limited fell 1 cent to TT$95 and traded 21,010. Supreme Ventures Limited decreased 2 cents to 14 cents and traded 19,566.

World Market Review

U.S. indexes struggled after bond yields gained for the second day in a row in Europe and domestic weekly jobless claims were ahead of expectations.

Chain stores retailers reported mixed March sales as consumers responded to selective discounts and battled record retail gasoline prices.

In corporate news, A. Schulman second quarter net soared 28%. Bed Bath fourth quarter net surged 32% to $351 million. CarMax fourth quarter net increased 4% to $95 million. Ruby Tuesday third quarter net tumbled 72% and Pier 1 fourth quarter net soared 24% to $115.2 million.

The U.S. based Dick''s Sporting agreed to invest in the UK based JJB Sports.

The European indexes pared gains after UK manufacturing and German industrial output fell in February. France raised €8.4 billion from a bond sale today at slightly higher borrowing costs and bond yields for Spain and Italy rose for the third day in a row.

European market edged lower after UK manufacturing production unexpectedly fell and German industrial output decreased more than estimated in February and rising bond yields rattled investors.

The Bank of England retained the benchmark interest rate at its record low level of 0.50% and maintained the size of its bond purchases unchanged at £325 billion.