Search
Close this search box.

Jamaica Stock Exchange Sees 14% Revenue Increase

The revenue of the Jamaica Stock Exchange increased by 14% in 2017 over 2016. This was the highlight of the report given by JSE’s Managing Director, Mrs. Marlene Street Forrest at the JSE’s 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Thursday, June 21, 2018, at the JSE, 40 Harbour Street. She made this and other observations regarding the improvement in growth and profitability of the JSE Group over the last five years, to a room filled with dedicated shareholders and directors of the Exchange.

The meeting was chaired by the JSE’s Deputy Chairman, Mr. Gary Peart in the absence of the Chairman, Mr. Ian McNaughton, who was abroad on business and extended apologies.

Mrs. Marlene Street Forrest, presented her report on the financial performance of the JSE, and informed the shareholders that 2017 was another successful year for the JSE. She explained that there was a marginal dip in profit from $224M in 2016 to $221M in 2017, representing a 1.33% decrease year over year due to an extraordinary block transaction recorded for the previous year. She further reported that the JSE’s revenue grew steadily from $866M in 2016 to $991M in 2017, a 14% increase year over year. She stated that the Group recorded improvements in growth and profitability of over 3,000 percent since 2013.

Mrs. Marlene Street Forrest reported that 2018 and beyond was shaping up to be very promising for the Stock Exchange as more companies were seeking to raise capital using the markets and to list their shares on the Exchange. With this, she said the future looks bright not just for the Exchange but also for Jamaica and the companies that choose to use equity capital to finance their businesses.
During the robust question and answer session, shareholders made a number of observations and asked the Board of Directors and Management several pointed questions including about the composition of the Board.

When it was time for the resolutions to be voted on by the shareholders, the first resolution approving the Audited Financial Statements was passed. However, for the resolutions in relation to the reappointment of directors, some shareholders expressed a concern regarding the length of service of the director(s), and suggested that the entire board resign. So as to ensure that due process was observed, the Chairman decided to continue voting of all remaining resolutions by way of ballots as allowed under Articles 60 of Incorporation. This was seamlessly conducted by the Jamaica Central Securities Depository with the Independent Auditor E&Y as scrutineer. When the ballots were returned, the shareholders overwhelmingly passed nine resolutions. This included the election of Messrs. Livingstone Morrison, Lynval Garth Kiddoe, Julian Mair, Matthew Hogart, Christopher Zacca and Mrs. Janet Morrison.

At a Special Board Meeting immediately after the AGM, Mr. Ian McNaughton and Mr. Gary Peart were returned as Chairman and Deputy Chairman, respectively.

—30—
CONTACT:
NEVILLE ELLIS
JAMAICA STOCK EXCHANGE
TEL: (876) 967-3271/322-0984:
FAX: (876) 924-9090