By means of Revin Mikhael D. Ochave, Reporter
The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) aims to raise P120 billion in capital next year as it anticipates an increase in market activity.
“This year, we raised P79 billion in capital. Next year I think we can attract around 120 billion euros of capital, an increase of around 50%. These include follow-on offerings (FOO), stock rights offerings and private placements,” PSE President Ramon S. Monzon told reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Makati City on Thursday.
Last month, Mr Monzon said the PSE expects six IPOs offering (IPO) and to raise up to €150 billion in capital by 2025.
The PSE had only three IPOs this year, missing the market target of six exchange operators. These included mining company OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc., as well as renewable energy companies Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. and NexGen Energy Corp.
The market operator also fell short of its target of raising $175 billion in capital this year.
“We only had three IPOs – small ones. But we strongly preferred FOOs,” Mr Monzon said.
The PSE would have its fourth IPO this year with the public listing of Cebu-based fuel retailer Topline Business Development Corp. (Topline).
However, Topline announced on November 18 that it chose to move the offer period until the first quarter from 2025 to accommodate institutional investors.
Mr Monzon said there is some uncertainty next year when newly-elected US President Donald J. Trump takes office on January 20. Mr. Trump had vowed to impose higher tariffs on imports, carry out mass deportations of illegal immigrants and focus on domestic manufacturing.
“There is uncertainty. We don’t know what’s going to happen. (Mr. Trump plans) to deport the illegal immigrants. I think there are some Filipino immigrants. If he imports en masse, our (overseas) remittances will fall. It is a very important stabilizing factor for an economy,” he said.
“He also tries to punish companies that come out. Our information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry employs approximately 1.9 million workers. Those are the uncertainties where we don’t know what will happen,” he added.
The Philippines is one of the top destinations of American companies for outsourcing services.
An earlier report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) shows that 395 US companies invested $22.4 billion in the Philippines between 2003 and 2021, of which $7.8 billion or 35% went to IT-BPM sector went.
Juan Paolo E. Colet, managing director of China Bank Capital Corp., said in a Viber message that the PSE’s goal of raising capital by 2025 is achievable.
“The PSE target is achievable, assuming market conditions are positive for equity fundraising next year. For example, if SM Prime Holdings, Inc.’s Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) and GCash. will make their IPOs in the Philippines next year, these two deals alone could easily raise $120 billion,” he said.
“Right now, the outlook for our stock market is very fluid given the expected challenges and opportunities of Trump 2.0, so the target could still change,” he added.
Michael L. Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said in a Viber message that lower interest rates could boost stock market activity.
“It is achievable amid improving economic and market conditions, in view of possible further Federal Reserve rate cuts and local policy rate cuts that would lower borrowing costs, increase loan demand thereby increasing investment, creating more jobs and more economic activities would lead to more revenues for listed companies,” said Mr Ricafort.
“If local stock prices continue to rise in 2025, that would make it more attractive for more stock sales at the highest possible price, especially if those who postponed stock sales eventuallyally persevere,” he added.
Sy-led SM Prime’s REIT, Razon-led Prime Infrastructure Capital, Inc., Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and electronic wallet GCash are among the big names reportedly planning IPOs, but with no definitive timeline.
On Thursday, the main PSE index fell 0.95% or 64.05 points to 6,638.54, while the broader all-stock index retreated 0.66% or 25.14 points to 3,734.94.
ACQUISITION
Meanwhile, Mr. Monzon said the PSE hopes to make a move to acquire Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. (PDS Group) before the end of the year.
“We still hope. It’s only November. We still have a month to go. It is still a work in progress,” he said.
The PSE wants to acquire up to 100% of PDS, the operator of the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp., which focuses on the fixed income market by providing trading infrastructure.
Currently, the PSE holds a 20.98% stake in the issued and outstanding capital of the PDS Group, while the members and institutions of the Bankers Association of the Philippines hold a 21% stake.