Financial World

Persons interested in investing in stocks should open an account at a brokerage company so they can start investing when they decide to take the plunge.
Stocks are not like fixed interest securities where the returns are usually known, up front. Put another way, there are no guarantees about the returns on stock market investments, that is a negative. History shows it to be a huge positive with no limit to possible gains. The basic principle is to find companies that are likely to increase profit going forward. This is most important, as profit are the main reasons why investors buy a stock, as it increases the value of a company.
Buy stocks with low price earnings (PE) ratio relative to the rest of the market. What does this mean? Listed companies are required to report profit and show the amount of profit earned per share (EPS). EPS is the profit for each issued share. In simple terms, the EPS is arrived at by dividing the profit by the total issued shares. This figure by itself does not mean much, but it allows for the computation of one of the most important and used investment tools, the PE ratio. PE is the price of the stock on the stock exchange divided by EPS.

Do not buy stocks because the price is low in monetary terms. Instead, have laser like focus on stocks with lower PE ratios. Sometimes when persons buy shares, also called stocks, they may see quick gains, as may happen with the Wigton Windfarm initial public offer (IPO) issue that is now on the Market. More often, investors will not see any gains for months but then may do so with the passage of several months, if the company reports increased profit. Effectively, if one buys stocks of good quality companies they will usually grow in value.
A good quality company is one that has consistent growth in earnings over a number of years, with few if any decline. There is more to it than the above, but these are a few basics. New investors are well advised to start small until they get a better feel of the market. Yes, you can start with $10,000, but $25,000 may be better.
Investors can find the earnings per share EPS and PE ratios for each local stock, on the stock market trading chart shown daily and included in the Junior and Main market reports. The key to using them is to find those stocks with the lowest PE ratios and get more information on them. This website analyses the companies on an ongoing basis to provide relevant investment information for investors.
When investing try to have about five different companies. Some companies to consider investing in now are: Wisynco and NCB,

Questions

1. Was the information provided helpful?
2. Do you now know how to calculate if a stock is viable?
   

Initial public offers have been extremely popular amongst investors who have made good money from the vast majority of them. Come this summer investors will get five more opportunities to invest in IPOS.

1. The Lab
2. Eppley Property Fund
3. QWI Investment
4. Tropical Battery Company
5. Sagicor Select Funds Limited

Coming this summer are, The Lab that styles itself as a fully integrated 100 percent Jamaican born and bred advertising agency with global reach and an island swagger.

Kimala Bennett is the company’s Managing Director. NCB Capital Markets are the brokers for The Lab, that could be looking at regional expansion. Clients include National Commercial Bank, JPS. Wendy’s Dominos, Supreme Ventures, Wray and Nephew, Grace Kennedy, Caribbean Broilers, Digicel. Persons in the know say this is one of those IPOs to plan for, as it is unique and profitable. NCB Capital Markets is also taking Eppley Property Fund, a company that owns property across the Caribbean, to market this summer as well as QWI Investments, a new company that invests in listed shares.NCB Capital Markets is also brokers to Tropical Battery Company. The company expects to come to market in July, to raise around $200 million in an IPO our sources state. The company was founded in 1950 and later purchased by John Melville and remains in the family, since. The company’s core business is the sale of automotive batteries, complemented by the distribution of several local and world renowned automotive consumer brands. Tropical Battery’s headquarters is located in Kingston, with distribution centres in Kingston and Montego Bay.

Another that will be coming to market is Sagicor Select Funds Limited an Exchange Traded Fund that is going to market in June to raise $5 billion. The fund according to Sagicor Investment CEO, Kevin Donaldson, will track the JSE Financial Index and will be rebalanced if needed, monthly. Donaldson indicates that the fund currently has assets of $1.2 billion already. Sagicor Investments could have 2 to 3 additional listings before the year ends. Sagicor Select Funds Limited Prospectus.

When completed, the new listings on the Jamaica Stock Exchange will raise the listed ordinary shares to more than 80 and total listings to more than 100 securities.

Which companies are you interested in investing in?

Sagicor Select Funds was incorporated on the 11th of January 2019 as a public company. The main purpose of Sagicor Select Funds is to trade in securities listed on recognized exchanges. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sagicor Investment Jamaica. As at the end of February 2019, the company consists of one (1) fund – The Financial Select Fund – a close ended non-diversified investment fund. The Sagicor Select Funds seeks to closely mimic the Financial Index of the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE). Sagicor Select Fund seeks to raise up to J$4B towards the purchase of additional shares for the fund.

One of the most productive and active sectors of the Jamaican economy has been the financial sector. More importantly, this sector consists of some the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) top performing stocks. Following the financial recession, the Jamaican
financial sector has gone on to perform exceedingly well while generating income for shareholders. The sector continues to grow year over year (YoY) and is expected to continue expanding as the overall economy continues to grow. The Central Bank continues to pursue a low interest rate policy while expanding the country’s money supplies. Consequently, creating an environment for greater appetite towards credit by
investors.

The Sagicor Select Fund presents the opportunity for investors to partake of an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) centered around the Jamaican financial sector. Quite often investors are deterred by the high cost per share to purchase shares in some of these large companies; in many cases investors who purchase shares in these are unable to purchase large volumes. Purchasing shares in Sagicor Select Funds will enable investors to indirectly purchase and derive the benefits of investing in all the shares that comprise the financial index. Ultimately, diversifying against risk inherent to a specific company.

I note and highlight the holding of certain underperforming stocks within the fund (see Appendix) such as SSL Venture Capital (SSLVC) and the Portland JSX which in the short to medium term could adversely impact the performance of the fund. Nonetheless, I positively view this IPO as one that allows investors to not only
indirectly acquire shares in some of the top performing companies within the financial sector but also the possibility to create further wealth without the high cost that has deterred investors. In a month, following its incorporation, the fund has managed to generate J$18.7M in the net income (see Appendix). Accordingly, would encourage investors to participate in this IPO.

Sagicor Investments Jamaica Ltd. Capital Markets will open an IPO on July 3, 2019. The offer is for Sagicor Select Funds Limited. The Prospectus and the Application Form are attached and can be as accessed via: https://www.jamstockex.com/sagicor-select-funds-limited-main-market-prospectus/  as well as  w.sagicorjamaica.com  

Summary of the Key Information

TIMETABLE:  

• Opening Date: July 3, 2019
• Closing Date: July 17, 2019; subject to the right of the Company to close the Application List at any time , without notice.

KEY TERMS OF ISSUE:

• Offer price: J$1.00 per share
• Reserve Pool: $0.98 ( the reserve pool is for SIGMA clients as at May 31, 2019 and Sagicor Employee)

The Sagicor Select Fund is a good opportunity to get exposure to security that one considers as being too rich for their blood. This includes all the financial companies that are traded on the Main and Junior Exchange.

Questions

I may be bias because good amount of family members work at Sagicor:

1. Are you going to invest?
2. Why?

Eppley Caribbean Property Fund Limited SCC (ECPF), a publicly listed property fund in Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago, hopes to raise JA$4.5 billion through a cross-listing of its value fund shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE). The Company also referred to as Value Fund is offering a total of 97,448,157 value fund shares, of which 9,656,807 are reserved at a share price of JA$46.18 or BBD$0.71. The application will open on 28 June 2019 and will close on 12 July 2019.

• The listing of the value fund shares will create the largest regionally focused real estate platform in the Caribbean, according to ECPF.
•  NCB Capital Markets is the lead broker and arranger for the transaction.

Eppley is seeking to raise JA$4.5 billion for its Caribbean Property Fund. The Company is issuing a total of 97,448,157 Value Fund Shares (inclusive of 9,656,807 Reserved Shares) at a subscription price of JA$46.18 each in the capital of the Company.

i. The net proceeds from the Invitation derived by the Company will be used to repay the bridge financing, purchase acquisition properties and provide funds for its pipeline of future commercial real estate acquisition opportunities and to pay the fees and expenses associated with the invitation. Further details on the intended use of the proceeds of the Invitation by the Company are contained in the Message from the Chairman.

ii. The Directors are to pursue a dividend policy providing for an annual dividend of between 75% and 100% of rental income net of operating expenses, taxes and financing costs known as Funds from Operations (“FFO”) subject to the need for reinvestment in the Company from time to time, statutory provisions and the discretion of Directors.

iii. The Company intends to apply to the JSE for the listing on the Main Market of all of the Value Fund Shares, and the existing Value Fund Shares and to make such application as soon as conveniently possible following the closing of the Invitation and the allocation of the Value Fund Shares.

iv. The Opening Date: 9:00 a.m. on 28 June 2019.

v. The Closing Date (Applications to be received by): 4:30 p.m. on 12 July 2019.

Prospectus: https://www.jamstockex.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ECPFL-SCC-Prospectus-Final.pdf

Questions

I understand $46.18 per share is expensive for many ordinary Jamaicans but I believe if we want Financial Freedom we need to make some sacrifices.

1. Do you think this investment is for you?
2. Is it worth the risk trade off?

• Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.
• The road to success and the road to failure are almost exactly the same.
• It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.
• The road to success and the road to failure are almost exactly the same.
• Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.

Hello Everyone

I am Jevonne Campbell an aspiring Jamaican businessman. I attend the University of the West Indies currently perusing my studies in Entrepreneurship. I created this blog for my course called EDTK 3004 – Educational Technology.

This course introduces teachers in training to the fundamentals of integrating Information Communications Technology (ICT) in their classroom. 

Learning Outcomes
The content knowledge that has been embedded in this course ensures that students are:

1. exposed to the major concepts and theories related to ICT in teaching
2. provided with an understanding of the basis by which ICT  tools can be integrated into the classroom
3. provided with  hands-on experience with computer based applications that can enhance efficiency within the classroom
4. provided with a solid foundation for lifelong learning that supports the introduction and utilization of ICTs in the classroom and meet instructional goals and objectives.

Objectives:

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Use basic computer productivity packages (power-point, video and audio editing software, web2.0 tools)
• Use the internet and www for communication, research, location of teaching and learning resources and for on-going professional development
• Apply learning theories to the selection of instructional media and technology
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a range of instructional media and technology
• Design and develop instruction episodes that integrate appropriate media and technologies that meet the instructional objectives
• Design and produce multi-media resources that can to create active-learning environments

Why do this?

• This blog will be pertaining to financial and business news. Mostly in the Caribbean Region but centered mainly in Jamaica.
• Reading this blog would be beneficial for individual who are seeking to gain knowledge about new business ideals within Jamaica.
• The aim is also to provide a website for Jamaicans who are interested in investment opportunities within Jamaica .

If this blog becomes successfully throughout the next year, I would hope that I have created a community of financially focused and business oriented individuals. I would also like to have bring business owners and investors together. To help to increase the number of businesses in Jamaica to bring a boost in the Jamaican economy and as well as to better the standard of living for all Jamaicans.