The Business Report – June 30, 2025
The latest Business Report, released on June 30, 2025, offers a comprehensive overview of key financial activities in Jamaica, highlighting significant developments in the bond market, foreign exchange transactions, and emerging investment platforms. The report paints a picture of a dynamic financial landscape, with strong performance in some sectors and opportunities for investors.
Bond Market Surge
One of the most noteworthy stories in the report is the substantial listing of bonds on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE). Barita Investments made a significant move by listing its bonds, raising a substantial $7.94 billion. This transaction not only marks the largest bond listing of the year but also represents Barita’s eighth offering on the JSE. This continuous engagement underscores the company’s commitment to the local market and its capacity to attract significant investor interest.
Dr. Marlene Street Forest, the Managing Director of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, provided insights into the broader impact of the listings. She emphasized that the inclusion of Barita’s bonds contributes significantly to the overall market activity. According to Dr. Forest, the total number of new listings for the year has reached 14, positioning the exchange very close to achieving its established target.
Forex Market Performance
The report also closely examines the activity in the foreign exchange (forex) market, providing detailed statistics for the trading period ending on June 27, 2025. The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) reported robust trading volumes, with forex traders purchasing US$94.59 million and selling US$11.67 million. This indicates a high level of activity and liquidity within the market.
Forex traders capitalized on the fluctuations in the US dollar, netting a profit of $110 per dollar when selling the US currency at $160.82 and buying it at $159.72. In addition to the US dollar, the report indicated successful trades in other currencies. Transactions involving the Canadian dollar yielded traders 50 per transaction, and those involving the British pound generated profits of $1.71.
Emerging Investment Platforms
The Business Report also touches upon the expansion of investment opportunities for the average Jamaican investor. The report mentions the Micro Market platform, a new initiative designed to introduce investment opportunities to a large pool of over 380,000 account holders. This initiative aims to increase financial inclusion and allow a wider range of individuals to participate in the financial markets.
Most Actively Traded Stocks
The report concludes with a look at the most actively traded stocks for the week ending June 27, 2025. Investors showed strong interest in a variety of companies, including One-on-One Educational Services Limited, Sagicor Select Funds Limited Financial, and Trans Jamaica Highway Limited US shares. The diverse range of actively traded stocks reflects the overall vibrancy and resilience of the Jamaican stock market, attracting interest from investors with varying risk appetites and investment strategies.
The Business Report for June 30, 2025, showcases a dynamic financial market, marked by significant bond listings, active forex trading, and growing opportunities for investors. The report underscores the importance of monitoring these trends to understand the prevailing financial landscape in Jamaica.