In the first six months of the year $3.250 million were traded, which is an increase of 33% compared to the amount traded in the same period in 2013.
The primary market, where fist time issues of shares and debt securities are recorded, had the most activity, with trading of $414.61 million between January and July 2014.
Laestrella.com.pa reports that "...In the case of the primary market in the month of July 2015, background shares reached $20.72 million, preferred shares $2.59 million, bonds $154.73 million and mortgage bonds $75 million."
It is the biggest issue in Panama within the private sector authorized by the Superintendency of Securities of Panama for $470 million in total.
The General Bank was the structuring firm and main buyer of the bonds, the first two series were placed at interest rates of 6.25% and 6.75%.
The funds will be used to refinance "the balance of the existing debt contracted for $397.4 million with a syndicate of banks and originally used for the construction of the AES Changuinola hydro plant in Bocas del Toro ..." reported Capital.com.pa.
In recent years there has been a clear reduction in interest rates of local securities, including short, medium and long term bonds.
Statistics from the BVP (Panamanian Stock Exchange) indicate that as of September 30 of this year, the amount of corporate bonds in circulation totalled $4.3317 billion and negotiable corporate securities (VCN in Spanish, a short-term instrument) worth $349.7 million.
On a day where $118.6 million was traded on the Panamanian Stock Exchange, the government placed $100 million in bonds at a yield of 4.38% and a price of 110.65%.
Up to May 31, 2012, the Treasury bond debt was $624.8 million, according to information available on the website of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. On the other hand private domestic debt stood at the same date at $1.9886 billion.
The Panamanian supermarket chain issued two series of mortgage-backed bonds, for $10.4 million.
The objective was to obtain financing for expanding their operations, at a lower cost than bank loans. The market bought all of the first two series of bonds, demanding 5% for three year and 6% to for seven year debt.
"This issue, bought by Panamanian investors, represents the first 20% of $50 million to be issued", reported Prensa.com.