2-day Capital Market Conference in Ghana.

Under the theme "The Capital Market: A key to Economic Growth and Development", the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in collaboration  with the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) and Ghana Securities Industry Association (GSIA) are convening a two-day conference at the National College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra on 9th and 10th May. 

I hope this conference achieves it's aim and bring about relevant discussions of issues relating to the Capital Market to drive policies for the industry.  

I hope it doesn't become just one event for our policy makers, regulators, financial industry players, parliamentarians, academia and capital market participants to sit and talk about irrelevant topics and issues that won't help the industry in anyway. I 'll be glad to partake in the confab this week, by my schedule is just too tight. . Mr Seth Tekper, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning would be there to give the keynote address whiles P.V. Obeng, Chairman of National Planning Development Committee would chair the Opening Ceremony.

All interested parties should do well to join this conference for the development of the capital market and our economy as a whole

Fri.18.05.12: Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) Market Update.

Friday, GSE Market Update;

CAL Brokers: 

Courtesy: CAL Brokers

In the market today, the major indices, the GSE-Composite Index and the GSE-Financial Stock Index, gained some ground following price appreciation in two equities.

The GSE-Composite Index closed at 1,046.94 points from 1,041.30 points and the financial stock benchmark closed 6.99 points higher at 910.75 points. The year-to-date return on the market rose to 8.04%. 

Taking a closer look at Unilever Ghana Limited (UNIL)

Today, I want us to focus on Unilever Ghana Limited (UNIL) and it's performance in 2011 and in the year so far. In my earlier post about the 1st Quarter of the Manufacturing sector, I wrote on the current standing of the company on the exchange. 

UNIL: 1st Quarter Chart on GSE: (courtesy; Bloomberg & GSE) 

We would look at more figures and how investors are reacting. UNIL as we know, manufactures and markets consumer goods throughout Ghana some of which includes toilet soaps, personal products, detergents, and consumable food products.

This year, UNIL began trading at GHS 6.64 (03.01.12) per share on the exchange. UNIL has issued about 62.50 million ordinary shares on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) with market capitalization of GHS 509.38 million. As released by the exchange, UNIL records a dividend yield (%) of 5.89. It was also recorded a price per book value from the most recent quarter as reported by Bloomberg as 8.6373. 

Investors reaction to the stock on the exchange has not changed so much. The shares are trading from time to time and most of the time as odd lots. As at today, the price remains at it's year high of GHS 8.15.

UNIL reported in March 2012 that it has made a revenue of GHS 239,005 for the 2011 financial year. In a press release to the Ghana Stock Exchange, it reports a profit after tax for the year as GHS 30,115, an increased of the one for 2010 which was GHS 17,947. Shareholders equity increase from GHS 41,340 to GHS 48,893.(NB: all figures are expressed in thousands of GH cedis unless otherwise stated)

UNIL would be having its Annual General Meeting on 27th April 2012 at the National Theatre. Shareholders are advised to go and contribute to the discussions and also vote on issues. Moreover, the company has proposed a dividend per share of 0.4800 pesewas which has a qualifying date as 25th April, 2012.

We hope to keep our eyes on UNIL and it's affairs in the household & consumer products sector.

Bank of Ghana vs. Onward Investment Limited, Power vs. Fraud?

 With a vision ‘to achieve a comparative advantage among leading investment companies…’ and a mission ‘to become an outstanding provider of legitimate investment services…’ Onward Investment Limited, an indigenous Ghanaian company with registration number CA-75,073 is experiencing the sanction of Bank of Ghana (BOG) as they operate without a license in the financial market.

BOG is making a relentless effort to protect ordinary investors in the system hence would stop any organization that flouts its regulations.

Onward Investment Limited has an aim to contribute to the economy by developing the Forex market through the offering of Forex training services and online forex trading for individuals in the country and even foreigners. But it’s very unfortunate on their part that the BOG had to put a hold on their operations and warn the public about them, on the basis of not having a license to receive deposits from the public. What is the point in trying to achieve those great visions without passing through the right processes?

How many of these unlicensed financial service providers are in the system? What is the Securities and Exchange Commission doing to protect investors? Why do companies refuse to get a license if that could boost their businesses? Are the licensing processes too rigid or demanding? These are questions the average investor is asking.  

On the part of Onward Investment ltd.; who are the owners? , what is their expertise? , what are their records and what are the clear benefits for the investment community. If potential partners and investors find it difficult to answer these questions then there is something wrong.

The only 'known' Board of Directors of this company includes; Lawrence Mensah, Mohammed B. Saleh , Kwesi T. Ababio and Simon Y. Nyarko.

We hope to know more about this company and the progress of their restriction by the Bank of Ghana.

Relationship Managers & Receptionists are not Stock Brokers. Talk to the right person.

 I have been observing this for some time now and I think it is getting on my nerves and moreover, investors are losing money because of this issue. I have been a victim and it was due to my ignorance. Don't make the same mistake. Some thing must be done. The Securities and Exchange Commission must act now to protect investors.

To many people in the Ghanaian financial market, everyone that works in a brokerage firm or with a Licensed Dealing Member (LDM) is having a good knowledge about the market or is a stock broker (Authorized Dealing Member). This misinformed public perception is reinforced by some ordinary workers at some brokerage houses who give their misleading recommendations about stocks on the market to ignorant investors. They speak so fluently and courageous as if they are authorized to give investment advice whiles their job is just to help investors or clients fill forms, explain the various investment opportunities to the client or direct them to the licensed /authorized advisor.  

On several occasions, a Relationship manager of a reputable Brokerage house tried to advise me on my investments with the aim of convincing me to invest in the firm's investment product which was a mutual fund whiles I insisted on talking to a broker. She thought I was just an ordinary investor who knows little or nothing about what I’m doing. She told me the stock market is not a place I should invest in. I asked why? And all she was able to say is that she doesn't invest there so she won't advise anyone to.  This was so surprising to me because I make so much money from the stock market. Moreover, she and her colleagues don’t have any authority to confuse investors in the name of investment advisory. It’s pathetic that investors are misled by this kind of ignorant people who act as experts. This must stop now.

I experienced the same thing in another brokerage firm when a receptionist tried to mislead me just because there was no broker around at that time. I ended up lecturing her about the current affairs on the market and the last thing she asked was my business card.

The Securities and Exchange Commission did not license these firms as broker-dealers or investment advisors because of the bogus advices their receptionists and relationship managers give. Every stakeholder must note this and I would advise all investors to seek for good advice from authorized, qualified and recognized investment advisory firms or people. The fact that someone works in such firms doesn’t make the person qualified to give investment advices. Be cautious and insist on talking to the best before you make any investment decision. Meanwhile don’t forget to do your homework before you invest. Study very well what you are investing in and talk to the experts not ‘ignorant’ receptionist.

Listing & Trading Rules are set for ETFs on GSE.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are considered by some financial gurus as an investment product of choice for the inexperienced trader all the way to the professional money managers. In emerging financial markets like that of Ghana, ETFs are yet to see the light of the day. The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) announced the introduction of  ETFs in to the market sometime ago and finally, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the Rules for the Exchange Traded Funds. 
The general listing rules prescribing the requirements for obtaining and maintaining the listing of securities on the Ghana Stock Exchange does not apply to ETFs hence different rules were set for listing and trading. With reference to the Rules for ETFs released this month, trades in ETFs shall be settled through the Clearing and Settlement System of the GSE and Securities Depository System of GSE Securities Depository Ltd just like stocks on the GSE.
This same document revealed that an application for the issue of ETFs must include, Net Asset Value (NAV) of the ETF as at the date of application and the Percentage change of the NAV of the underlying basket of securities / index / underlying asset for the previous 6 months on a weekly basis, among others. The criteria for listing revealed that, the ETFs must be open-ended and fully secured at all times: either by the underlying securities/commodities or financial instruments it represents, a proxy security
acceptable to GSE which should be listed, freely tradable and have adequate liquidity or cash. Looking at the current affairs of the capital market, liquidity issues are very important to the GSE & SEC.
Further scrutiny of the rules showed that, ETF issuers must undertake to compute the Net Asset Value of the ETF on a daily basis and make the NAV public to all market participants at the same time through the GSE. Obviously, no insider trading would be encouraged. The condition for listing stipulated among a list of requirements that, GSE may, in its overriding discretion, grant a listing to an Issuer who does not fulfill the requirements set out or refuse a listing to an Issuer who does not comply with the listing requirements on the basis that, in the GSE’s opinion, the grant or refusal of the listing is in the interest of the investing public.

In terms of pricing the ETFs, the rules stated that, the issue price shall be on a basis approved by the Exchange and shall not include management charges and other fees. Moreover all management charges and other fees are required to be separately specified in the offer Document.

The rules for ETFs are very clear and easy to understand. For more analysis of the essence of these rules, join me on Twitter: peagama (click to follow) or facebook: Patrick .... and let's discuss.
For more details on the Rules for ETFs in Ghana, Click to download full document. (Courtesy: GSE, & SEC).

History of Initial Public Offers (IPO) in the Ghanaian Capital Market.

Initial Public Offering which is popularly known as IPO comes about when companies issue new shares to the public to purchase as a source of raising capital. Ghana has a wonderful history of IPOs and since the inception of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), there have been so many IPOs with an impressive performance in the market. Meanwhile others were just so bad and despite their impressive subscriptions, they traded badly on exchange.

On 12^th November, 1990, Accra Brewery Limited (ABL) made a provisional listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange, making it one of the earliest companies to be listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange. This company and others existed before the inceptions of the GSE Public Limited Liability Companies hence were initially given provisional listing status before the formal listing. ABL made its formal listing on 20^th December, 1991 (Source; GSE Research Dept.).

One IPO listing was by SPPC and this was from December to February 1992. Eight (8) million shares were offered but only 4.2 million shares were sold to raise an amount of 630 million old cedis (GHC 63,000). Mechanical LLoyd Company Ltd (MLC) also offered 11 million shares as IPO at 50 old cedis (0.05 pesewas) per share from December 1993 to February 1994 and only 9.36 million shares were sold which raised an amount of 468.16 million old cedis (GHC46,816). Looking at these historical trends, it is obvious that early IPOs were cheap but subscriptions were not impressive. In January 1995, HFC Bank stocks were oversubscribed when they made a placement.  Shares offered were 11.35 million at 100 old cedis (0.10 pesewas) and 13.10 million shares were sold to raise about 1,315.45 million old cedis (GHC 131,545). Most of the time, shares of this nature were patronized by foreigners because the investment community of Ghana was small by then. Aside the HFC placement, SSB (now known as SG-SSB) IPO in 1995 was also oversubscribed. Many companies like ALW, UTC, PZ, EIC, FML made primary issues which were not necessarily IPOs. In 2006, Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) issued and IPO of 49.50 million shares but 68.44 million shares were subscribed. This oversubscription set the pace for most IPOs and the investment community of Ghana especially the youth, took advantage of them. Initial Public Offers of Camelot (CMLT), Produce Buying Company (PBC), Sam Wood Ltd (SWL), Cocoa Producing Company (CPC) followed and in 2004 alone, four (4) Companies (CLYD, BOPP, CAL & SPL) listed IPOs on the GSE. But how well do the trade on the Exchange?

About two year ago, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) offered an IPO that was largely subscribed meanwhile these shares are facing liquidity problems as at now in the market. Share price of ETI has fallen below its IPO price and shareholders are not happy at all.  UT Bank entered the market with an IPO which was also oversubscribed but the question still remains, do IPOs perform well in the market. Shares of UT bank had so many problems when it started trading in the market but is currently bouncing back.

The most recent IPO issued in the market is the shares of Tullow Oil, just weeks ago and these were undersubscribed. Does it mean that the investment community is no longer having confidence in IPOs or it was due to the costly price of this particular offer? As an investor, you must find out because this can inform your investment decision.