The Panamanian Stock Exchange announced the implementation of its new electronic trading system, which operates with Nasdaq Matching Engine technology.
Directors of the institution informed that one of the main objectives of the transformation to its trading system is to position the Panama Stock Exchange (BVP) as the regional hub of the capital market.
Between January and September $4.25 billion were traded in the stock market, up from the $3.093 billion traded in the same period in 2013.
The months reporting the largest amounts were March, with $697.5 million and July, with $578.6 million, while the months reporting lower volumes were January at $317.9 million and February at $335.4 million.
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."
The market is now in its first stage of operations with transactions of government bonds and state owned institutions, which will be followed by corporate bonds.
The new link between the Central Latinoamericana de Valores Latin Clear Central and the largest global custodian of shares Euroclear allows emissions on the Panama Stock Exchange to be purchased by investors in 46 countries around the world.
Although the Superintendent of the Stock Exchange in Panama has lifted the suspension of the brokerage firm Financial Pacific the Stock Exchange has not approved its integration.
According to the president of the board of the Stock Exchange, Felipe Chapman, "there are still many unanswered questions", relating to this organization. Questions such as "How was the loss recovered, what were the terms of the sale, who are the buyers and what is their interest in the business?," said the official.
Grupo Toledano is to issue $45 million in corporate bonds to be used to settle debts with creditors and banks, and as working capital.
Capital.com.pa reports that "According to the prospectus published on the Panama Stock Exchange (BVP), the corporate bonds are divided into seven series that meet the following amounts: Class A-1, up to $5 million, Series A-2, up to $5 million, Series B, up to $15 million and the Series C, D, E and F together totaling $20 million. "
Together the 11 clusters listed in the Panama Stock Exchange posted profits of $254 million during the last quarter of 2012, 16% more than in the same period in 2011.
During the last quarter of 2011, profits made by these conglomerates amounted to $218.8 million.
"... the conglomerate's profits were led by Empresa General de Inversiones, with a profit of $69.5 million, an increase of 7.28% from the year 2011, noted an article in Capital.com.pa.
The new reporting requirements for minimum capital adequacy and liquidity for securities firms will have to wait for the resolution of inconsistencies in its application.
Prensa.com reports that "The entry into force of the agreement of April 2011, which permanently raises the minimum capital requirement of $150,000 for brokerage firms to $250,000 and establishes new reporting forms, was originally planned for July 1, 2012. "
Organized by the Panamanian Stock Exchange, the event will be held on August 18 in Panama City.
During the forum, nine Panamanian organizations will share their results and future plans.
This forum serves as a platform for the most important public holdings companies in the country and the region to share their operating results and growth prospects.
Organized by the Panamanian Stock Exchange, the event will be held on 19 August in the country's capital.
The forum will take place in the Hotel Sheraton's Great Hall in Panama City.
Participating organizations include the major publicly traded companies from Panama and Central America who will present their financial results and growth forecasts.
The audience will be made up of 400 investors, financial instutions and administrators from the capital, giving people the opportunity to learn about the region's markets and network with its key players.
400 businessmen are expected to participate in the August 19 activity, organized by the Panamanian Stock Exchange.
Roberto Brenes, CEO of the stock exchange, said that "this forum allows companies to present their products and services to different investors".
"... this year new companies have approached the stock market, seen as a good alternative at times of global financial crisis..." reported journalist María de Gracia for newspaper Panamá América.
This was, according to the Comptroller General of the Republic, during the first two months of 2009 in relation to the same period in 2008.
The Comptroller’s report also noted a decrease of 18.3% in the stock index.
Tagnia Shocrón S. wrote in Laestrella.com.pa: "The downward trend began with the volume traded in September 2008, and it has remained so far this year.
The total trading at the Panama Stock Exchange (BVP) at the end of 2008 was $1.93 billion, or 15.4% less than 2007.
According to laestrella.com.pa, "During the first three quarters of 2008, the BVP recorded an increase that was greater than in 2007, however in the last three months of the year, the situation was reversed.
General manger of BVP, Roberto Brenes, explained that the volume of shares have remained the same, but the decrease was due to lost of share value.
As of September 2008 the Panama Stock Exchange (BVP) negotiated $558.8 million.
The secondary market has been very active, with transaction worth $556.7 million and a growth of 54.9%. Trading of repurchases was at $249.2 million, an increase of 89.80%.
Trading in the primary market reached $752.9 million, an increase of 19.4%.