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Google Stock Split: What does it mean for investors? Meet Denise Marshall-Miller: An independent woman in an investment world 3 Things to Know About Cryptocurrency
Transform Your Everyday.
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Google Stock Split: What does it mean for investors?
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3 Things to Know About Cryptocurrency
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C O N T E N T S
Meet Denise Marshall-Miller: An independent woman in an investment world
Market Update and Economic Overview
Click here to see our Stock Picks for the week of February 14, 2022
Stephen Bravo Wealth Advisor MEET THE TEAM
Stephen Bravo is committed to providing his clients with sound financial advice, by guiding their investments as well as diligently managing their portfolio. Stephen is an alumni of Campion College and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics (Hons.) from the University of the West Indies Mona. Stephen is a Wealth Advisor who is able to balance his demanding role with other passions such as watching football, reading and music production.
Facts to Know
3 Things to Know About Cryptocurrency • ANONYMITY: Cryptocurrency transactions are completely anonymous, which is a benefit for users wanting privacy. • TRANSPARENCY: Although transactions are anonymous, the data is recorded on an open ledger using blockchain technology. This means that data is transparent and publicly available at any time. • DECENTRALIZATION: Since cryptocurrency is not issued by a central bank or backed by a federal government, there is no interference from government or influence from monetary policy.
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Google Stock Split:
What does it mean for investors?
achinthamb / Shutterstock.com 4
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hile selling bread in slices or in smaller portions have become the norm in Jamaica, one may ask, what motivates shopkeepers to retail a slice of the product instead of selling the entire thing? The bread is worth the same no matter how many slices you cut it into, so why is it done? While selling the entire loaf is ideal, selling in smaller quantities it’s more affordable. This may also have a positive impact on the sale of other items due to the influx of customers using the store as a “one-stop shop.” Buyers can now purchase based on their pockets and everyone can be satisfied. This example is exactly what a stock split is like. A stock split is a corporate action that companies take to increase their number of outstanding shares and decrease the value of each share. It gives a company the opportunity to divide each existing share into multiple new shares without affecting its total value or each investor’s share ownership. A stock split is often a sign that a company is thriving and that its stock price has increased. While that’s a good thing, it also means the stock has become less affordable for smaller investors. As a company’s stock price increases, investors are rewarded with higher returns but eventually, the stock may reach a price that makes it difficult for new investors to jump in, which is when the stock split becomes attractive. When a company goes through a stock split, it uses a particular ratio to indicate how many new shares each outstanding share will be broken into and the date of the spilt. Before a split, the high price of blue-chip stocks can sometimes be a barrier to entry for small investors who want to participate in the stock market. By splitting, the shares become more affordable, and a cheaper stock unit has a greater chance of growing than an expensively priced stock unit. When a stock splits, investors usually see an uptick in interest in that stock, but things usually settle down in a few days when the fuss is over. While stock splits can increase a stock’s
liquidity and make it more accessible for investors, not all companies engage in them as some companies prefer to keep their stock prices high. Some companies like to see their stock price go way up and may not be interested in a split. One such growth company that has avoided a stock split so far is Berkshire Hathaway, whose Class A shares have never split and, as of December 2021, traded at about US$420,000 per share. Other companies may explore the opportunity to utilize stock splits to attract investors, with the latest being Google (GOOG), the wholly owned subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. After a 2-for1 split in early 2014, albeit the creation of a new class of non-voting shares, Google announced that it will increase its outstanding shares by a 20-to-1 ratio this year, in July 2022. This will entice more small investors, especially those that entered the stock market during the pandemic. Apple (AAPL) and Tesla (TSLA) shares both rose significantly after they announced stock splits in 2020 (4-for-1 and 5-for-1, respectively), and GOOG is likely to react similarly. The split would reduce the price of Google’s Class A shares to roughly US$125, based on an average price of US$2,500 and a higher valuation for Google shares from the stock split would be a mixed blessing as Google has been repurchasing a significant number of shares since the US$50 million share buyback in April 2021. Thus, the company’s existing and prospective investors would see a benefit from the upcoming stock split. Whether you’re investing in a company pre- or post-split, approach it with the same level of analysis and curiosity that you would with any other listed company. While a stock split can be a good sign, it’s important to do your research before investing. You deserve to build your portfolio without impediments and VM Wealth provides access to a diverse listing of both local and U.S. securities. Written by: Roland Douglas Senior Investment Analyst
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Meet Denise Marshall-Miller An independent woman in an investment world
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enise Marshall-Miller Senior Manager, Bond, Equity & Digital Asset Trading at VM Wealth Management. She focuses on building and expanding trading relationships with overseas counterparts, providing guidance to the Bond Trading Team and deepening relations with existing VM Wealth clients. Over a decade, Denise has built a strong track record, consistently demonstrating her expertise in deal structuring, Bond Trading, US Treasury Trading, Portfolio Management, Equity Trading and Treasury Management. In celebration of women in investments, we took a few minutes with her to get inside her head.
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How did you decide on finance as a career path? I believe it was fate. I remember going to UTECH to get an application from the Architecture faculty as I wanted to become an architect, When I got there, I was told the programme was not offered part-time. I knew I had to find another option as I had a toddler to care for at the time. I remember asking, “what else is there?” and she listed all the other faculties. I knew it was between Tech Ed or Business Admin; I selected Business Administration, as I had passed Accounts in fourth form at the CSEC level. So I applied to the faculty of Business Administration. In my second year, I did Financial Management and I immediately knew that this was what I wanted to do - interpreting the numbers to make investment decisions; not crunching numbers as Accountants do. I often say, fate decided Finance for me.
Is there anything unique about the way women approach investing and finance? Definitely! Women are natural financial managers, effectively managing their company, that is their homes. We are masters at budgeting, getting the most out of every dollar and multiplying that dollar. It doesn’t matter what a woman earns or how much she is given, she will not consume everything. I believe this is ingrained in us. We are nurturers, caring beings. We know that money plays a role and as such, we manage well, taking calculated risks when investing, which gives us longevity.
What’s the one thing you wish you knew at 25? I wish I knew how to invest in the stock market. I started a year later.
The theme for International Women’s Day this year is #BreakTheBias. What biases have you encountered in your field? I really can’t think of any. I have always believed that my work and being a subject matter expert in my field would do the talking. As such, even if someone wanted to be biased towards me, they
would be hurting themselves as I am a force to be reckoned with and an excellent team player.
What changes have you seen in the industry since you started? I am seeing more women in leadership roles other than in the support units such as Finance and Operations. There are more female CEOs, female revenue executives and managers – Trading , Asset Management, Investment Banking, to name a few. These are traditionally male-dominated jobs.
Have you encountered any biases of your own? No I don’t recall any. I always see the glass half full . Always working on me, I keep the focus on myself. I keep the mirror at my face. Doing that helps me to manage what I can control. My faith also teaches me that, what is for me, cannot be for anyone else.
What do you think is the way to achieve more equity in the industry? Generally, it is believed that persons who climb the corporate leader in the same organization are not compensated at the same level as those who come into the position from the outside. This should not be the case. In addition, remuneration should never be based on gender but on competence, experience, knowledge and skill.
As a breaker of biases yourself, what advice would you give young women interested in a career or just getting started in finance? If you are getting started, do your studies in Business Administration or Management Studies, read finance literature and other books, follow well-known investors with a proven track record, get a mentor, attend workshops and seminars and be prepared to volunteer your time and skills initially. Volunteer to be a part of projects that will expand your knowledge or cross train in the area. Finally, practise what you learn and be a good steward of your money. Invest!
#IWD2022 #BreakTheBias 7
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Transform Your Everyday
Market Update and Economic Overiew January 2022
Fixed Income In January there were notices for the re-tapping of the 4.50% 2025 and 9.625% 2031 Government of Jamaica (GOJ) Benchmark Investment Notes to raise money to finance its fiscal requirements. However, the Ministry of Finance later cancelled the auctions a day before the settlement date.
Money Market The BOJ overnight policy rate remained at 2.50% in January, even as market players anticipate an additional rate hike in February 2022. The previous hikes, along with market speculations have also seen increases in the yields on Treasury Bills and CDs when compared to the beginning of 2021. The Treasury Bill auctions for January saw the yields on the 91-Day, 182-Day and 273-Day tenors all increasing.
Equities The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) Main Market index advanced 1.37% in January from trading in 62 stocks of which, 32 advanced, 27 declined and 3 traded r m. Wigton Windfarm Limited Ordinary Shares (WIG) was the volume leader with 72.04 million units followed by TransJamaican Highway Limited (TJH) with 30.75 million units and Sagicor Select Funds Limited - Financial (SELECTF) with 30.71 million units.
Foreign Exchange Despite several interventions by the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) throughout the month, demand for the USD was ultimately outpaced by supply. Using its Foreign Exchange Intervention & Trading Tool (B-FXITT), the central bank intervened 6 times in January, injecting US $190 million. According to the BOJ’s Weighted Average Selling Rate (WASR), the JMD depreciated 1.26% after losing $1.97 against the US Greenback in January, ending the month at $157.06.
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