Capital Markets

The decade closed with an uptick in activity in Trinidad and Tobago’s capital markets, largely due to increases in initial public offerings, a series of mergers and acquisitions, and a number of bonds issued in the latter half of 2018 and into 2019. Even so, activity in the financial markets remains muted, a pattern seen across many bourses in the Caribbean. The local market tends to be highly concentrated among a few large firms and lacks substantial participation from smaller companies. A drive to boost the participation of citizens and small and medium-sized enterprises in equity markets may bring forth renewed dynamism and interest in the Caribbean’s largest capital market, especially when considered against the backdrop of an overall economic recovery. This chapter contains a viewpoint from Gregory Hill, Managing Director, ANSA Merchant Bank.