T he Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) 50th Anniversary Investor Forum attracted more than 1,300 people interested in creating wealth by investing in the stock market.

According to the JSE, the April 4 event was initially organised to host 400 people, but had to be relocated from an indoor facility to Emancipation Park to satisfy the public’s response to the open invitation via the social media and on the JSE website.

“It was the highest turnout that we have had in the history of the stock exchange. It is a historic achievement during our 50th anniversary. It goes to show how Jamaicans are warming to the idea of investing in the stock market,” a JSE news release quotes Managing Director Marlene Street Forrest.

“Being the number one performing stock exchange in the world says a lot and this has awakened Jamaicans at home and abroad to the possibilities that exist when they invest in the markets, which has returned over 300 per cent over the last five years. This is significant and, of course, persons are looking forward to benefit,” she said.

Vanessa Williams, manager of Barita Investments Limited, Mandeville branch, agreed.

“It was an excellent and well-organised event staged by the JSE to educate the public about the benefits of the stock exchange,” she said. “The people are hungry to become participants in the stock market. Barita is committed to helping the public make their money work for them from all income groups and will continue to support the JSE’s thrust for Jamaicans to practice healthy wealth management.”

Barita, which was the sponsoring broker, opened accounts on the spot for first-time investors.

Williams was supported by Ferris Jackson, investment advisor at Barita’s Kingston Office, who gave the crowd 10 top stock picks for investments.

“It was about financial inclusion and helping the general public become more aware of the benefits of the stock exchange,” said JSE Marketing Manager Neville Ellis, who was the first presenter.

He argued that Emancipation Park was the appropriate venue for Jamaicans to learn how to emancipate their finances.

He told the audience about the role of the JSE and how it plays a part in the financial landscape of wealth creation and economic development.

Neilson Rose, financial advisor and investor relations manager at First Heritage Co-Operative Credit Union, spoke on building a financial portfolio and why people should “not put all their eggs in one basket” but to have a portfolio of stocks from different sectors to spread their risk. He also encouraged the audience to seek financial advice from people who are licensed to do so.

The audience was informed how to open a JSE Online Trading Platform account by the JSE’s IT Manager Suzette McNaught, who also shared with the audience the benefits of an online trading account.

The winner of the JSE’s 2018 Public Stock Market Game, Rohan Deans of Hanover, stole the show when he collected his top prize of $100,000.00. Deans saw his stock portfolio rise by 2,500 per cent, from $100,000 virtual money to a whopping $2.53 million over the 10-month period of the game.

He spoke about the lessons learnt from the virtual stock market game and encouraged prospective investors to participate in the game for a better understanding of the market.