We can all agree that saving is a good thing, but earning a return on your investment is very important not only to help you in periods when you have run out of other sources of income but also to enable you to achieve your investment goals. These goals can vary, usually, people save to purchase high ticket items – for example, if someone is trying to buy a house, there are very few people in the country who can mobilize capital of 200m on a whim but saved up over time with the help of return on your investment, you can achieve that goal.
In a webinar discussion organized by dfcu bank for its Investment Club members, capital market experts discussed the opportunities available for Clubs to diversify their income in the long run.
To get an understanding of the capital market, Susan Namaganda, the Head of Operations at Crested Capital, one of Uganda’s leading brokerage firms in the Equity market explained that, capital markets is a financial system that provides an avenue for raising capital and for saving through investment mostly for longer-term alternatives. Both individuals and institutions can invest in this lucrative industry in form of; shares(Equity), Corporate Bonds (long-term debt by companies, Government Bonds (long-term debt by government more than 1 year) and government treasury bills (less than 1 year). The industry is regulated by the Capital Markets Authority and Bank of Uganda while its principal market in Uganda is Uganda Securities Exchange (USE), where active trading happens. The industry has different sector players from the; issuers – companies that float shares to the public such as dfcu Limited, UMEME, and others. Companies that raise funds through corporate bonds such as the African Development Bank and Kakira, among others. The government of Uganda (Treasury bills and bonds) and Investors – institutional (NSSF is a majority shareholder and other funds) savings groups and individuals are all involved. Other players also include; intermediaries such as brokers, dealers, investment advisors, registrars, rating agencies.
Namaganda highlighted that companies list for different reasons among which include; raising funds to enable companies finance long-term investments. Listing improves efficiency and transparency as companies are mandated to report to shareholders on business performance and corporate governance. In Uganda, some of the listed companies were a result of privatization like Stanbic Bank and New Vision.
Shares can be transferred to close family members and are held in a […]