The Philippine Stock Exchange is aiming to get more retail investors to participate in the local stock market by opening up access to market data as well as allowing the use of e-wallets to purchase shares of listed firms.
According to PSE President Ramon S. Monzon, this technology initiative — a data analytics platform — will be unveiled by the bourse in the fourth quarter of the year to “democratize” access to market data which is usually available only by subscription to service providers.
Monzon said this initiative is the answer to the need of retail for market data that can help them make informed decisions when buying or selling stocks.
Also part of the PSE’s efforts to widen access to the local stock market is by allowing investors to use e-wallets for their investments starting with a partnership with GCash.
In collaboration with the PSE, GCash is launching GStocks, an in-app stock trading platform, powered by one of the most reputable brokerages in the country, AB Capital Securities.
GCash eyes to officially roll out stock market trading by year-end to select users followed by a nationwide launch in early 2023 with close to 300 publicly-listed companies in the PSE accessible on the platform.
According to GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon, the new stock trading feature on the app primarily aims to introduce equities trading to more Filipinos.
"With GStocks on the GCash app, powered by AB Capital Securities and supported by the PSE, more Filipinos can now invest in stocks. Thanks to its game-changing capabilities, GStocks will democratize stock trading in the country by making it accessible to the 66 million users of GCash," Sazon said.
AB Capital Group Chairman and CEO Antonio Jose Periquet said that, “Aside from making stock trading more accessible to Filipinos, this partnership aims to help ordinary Filipinos grow their wealth by offering them the opportunity to own shares of publicly listed Philippine companies. It's next level accessibility, affordability, assistance, and experience.”
Monzon believes that this partnership will further modernize Philippine stock trading and enable millions more Filipinos to become stock market investors, ultimately contributing to nation-building.
“Online trading has accelerated retail investor participation in the PSE in the last few years. This undertaking will take the dynamics of online trading to the next level. We are pleased to provide the trading technology that should fast track the growth of retail investors in the stock market,” he explained.
GStocks will be available to fully-verified GCash users without the need for a bank account. With a beginner-friendly user interface, it will give Filipinos easy access to local stocks via the GCash app.
The payment platform will also be offering free top up and withdrawal services.
Users of GStocks will be able to buy and sell local shares in real-time, monitor pending trades; monitor portfolio performance and returns via a dashboard; access stock watch list, direct research reports, real-time quotes, and live stock charts, as well as access analytics, news and disclosures and daily and weekly market reports.