Growth & Jobs | JSE Market Research Competition equipping the financial sector with high-quality analysts

The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) Market Research Competition is helping to resource the financial services sector with high-quality analysts as well as effective executives and leaders.

Chief Executive Officer of the JSE, Livingston Morrison, in making the declaration, said that the efficiency of markets is directly related to the availability of information on the financial performance and position as well as the capacity, plans and programmes of listed companies.

“In this context, the work of analysts is of critical importance to market efficiency as well as the integrity and efficiency of the markets in which we operate,” he said.

He noted that the impact of the market research competition is especially important in increasing the pool of investors who regularly engage in market activities.

“There are numerous investors who can be classified as first-time participants in the stock market … ordinary men and women who are choosing to build investment portfolios as part of their wealth management programme,” he said.

Livingston pointed out that these investors depend on continuous objective assessment of the financial position and performance of the companies in which they invest.

“It is clear to us at the Exchange that participation in market competition helps to sharpen research skills, expand knowledge of the market and cultivate the analytical rigour that is a critical ingredient in the process of strengthening market efficiency,” he emphasised.

Livingston was addressing the JSE’s Market Research Awards 2024/2025 on November 20 at the entity’s Harbour Street offices in Kingston.

Senior investment banking analyst at Barita Investments Limited, Sean Davidson, took the top spot, with bank examiner at the Bank of Jamaica, Jerrylee Young, being runner up.

Davidson said the achievement reflects countless hours of rigorous analysis, late-night financial modelling, noting that he has a genuine passion for using finance to unlock value in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

“Thank you for giving us this platform to sharpen our skills and contribute to a stronger investment ecosystem,” he said.

Held since 2002, the JSE Market Research Competition is intended to increase the interest and involvement of analysts and stakeholders in the Jamaican stock market through in-depth analyses of the performance of listed companies.

It seeks to enhance the research, analysis and presentation skills of the entrants, enabling them to better understand the market, improve their communication skills, and in the case of broker representatives, to better advise their clients.

It also aims to encourage listed companies to improve the content and timeliness of the information provided to shareholders while encouraging them to become more involved in these companies.

For every quarter of the year, the JSE invites analysts/researchers from the securities industry, tertiary institutions and the media to submit analyses based on the past performance and future expectations of listed companies.

Participants conduct research, present analyses and prepare submissions on the selected company using the JSE’s required format.

Quarterly winners receive a cash prize of $100,000 and a trophy. The winner of the final competition gets $300,000 and a trophy, with the runner up receiving $150,000. The winning analyses will be published.