In a gathering of financial minds at Kingston’s R Hotel, FHC Investments Limited (FHCIL) recently hosted the second staging of its Fireside Chat event series, bringing together a panel of distinguished experts to discuss the critical topic of “Navigating Volatile Financial Markets.”

The evening was moderated by FHC Investments Brand Ambassador Dr Sara Lawrence Lewis, whose masterly guidance made it a night filled with profound insights and discussions, according to a press release by the company.

In her opening remarks, FHC Credit Union’s CEO, Roxann Linton, reiterated the company’s belief in ongoing engagement to empower its members with market knowledge and strategies to sustain their financial decisions, especially during periods of uncertainty and instability.

“With the support of our industry partner, Jefferies, together, we aim to illuminate time-tested financial principles to guide your decisions and ensure a brighter financial future,” she declared.

The panel featured an impressive lineup of financial experts. Greg Fisher, Managing Director, Head of Emerging Markets Fixed Income, Wealth Management at Jefferies, a renowned global investment bank, shared his wisdom alongside Karlene Mullings, the General Manager of FHCIL, a dominant force in Jamaica’s financial services landscape. Completing the trio was Georgia Trieb, an investment analyst at FHCIL and a specialist in the local equity and fixed income markets.

A highlight of the evening was Greg Fisher’s captivating statement, where he praised Jamaica’s exceptional journey. He remarked, “The greatest opportunity is the ongoing fiscal stewardship of this country…from when I started coming [to Jamaica] in the 90’s, from an emerging country to the Crown Jewel of the Caribbean.”

Fisher’s words underscored Jamaica’s remarkable progress and resilience, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to sound fiscal policies, economic stability, and access to external financial support.

Karlene Mullings, the General Manager of FHCIL, reaffirmed the need for investors to build resilient portfolios, amidst the reminder that Black Swan events can occur. She gave insights on using defensive assets, such as bonds and gold, to provide stability during market downturns.

“These assets tend to act as hedges against volatility, helping to preserve capital when riskier investments such as stocks, may underperform.”

Mullings asserted the company’s dedication to delivering excellence and value to its clients. She highlighted the comprehensive range of financial products and services offered by FHCIL, all designed to meet the unique needs and aspirations of their clients coupled with the personalized service offered by the boutique firm.

Investment analyst Georgia Trieb shared valuable insights into the Jamaican equity market’s performance in 2023. She noted the market’s resurgence from pandemic-induced lows and highlighted promising investment prospects, particularly in technology, healthcare, consumer goods, and utilities.

The event offered a wealth of key takeaways, with Mullings providing several investment recommendations on how investors should consider positioning their portfolios, given the high interest rate environment. Fisher identified potential sectors ripe for investment, including energy, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and consumer staples. He also advised investors to consider fixed income bonds, given the proximity of interest rates to their peak, an opportunity before rates potentially decrease on a global scale.

Jefferies is an industry partner to FHC Investments. The companies have a 15 plus year relationship. Fisher described his FHC colleagues as “seasoned professionals” and expressed his enthusiasm to join them at the forum.

The Fireside Chat event attracted a diverse audience, including FHCIL clients, FHC Credit Union members, and selective members of the public via a social media engagement. One of the lucky attendees, Joddian Howard, expressed her excitement at gaining new knowledge and inspiration from the event. Certified Public Accountant Serika Sterling praised the seminar for its positive impact on investor confidence, acknowledging the valuable insights shared by the expert panel.

The FHC Investments Limited’s Fireside Chat series continues later this year with dates yet to be announced.