While still in it’s infancy, the Panama Stock market is growing.  During 2012 $3.07 billion worth of securities were issued, the highest figure in the history of the Panamanian stock market.

According to the Superintendency of Securities (VPS in Spanish), this amount of new issues is 32.5% greater than in 2010 ($2.31 billion), which was at the time the highest level recorded.

According to an article on Panamaanerica.com.pa, in total there were 39 emissions made by companies from the financial, industrial, trade and tourism sectors, issuing securities, especially corporate bonds, commercial paper and shares.

Some of the most noteworthy issues were by the National Highway Company ENA Norte with $600 million, $400 million by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad, $250 million by Banco General, $130 million by Ideal Living Corp., $130 million by the company Hydro Caisán SA and $150 million by Multibank, Inc.

However, a report by the SMV stresses that there are still outstanding pending registration of shares totaling $345 million.

In 2006 the volume of issues was over $1 billion, in 2008 over $2 billion, and in 2012 the $3 billion dollar mark was surpassed, indicated the report.

Source: Panamaamerica.com.pa