The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) posted a 40 percent jump in net income to a record P919.48 million last year from the P656.81 million earned in 2020, surpassing the previous high of P867.55 million set in 2014.

In a disclosure, the bourse said it also registered a 25.3 percent year-on-year growth in its operating revenues to P1.65 billion. PSE’s operating revenue sources all posted double-digit gains in 2021 versus the prior year.

“Our good financial position allowed us to pay a total of P11.00 per share in regular and special cash dividends early this month. This year’s total cash dividend distributed is the highest amount ever paid to PSE stockholders,” PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon said.

Listing-related fees rose by 28.3 percent boosted by the largest initial public offering (IPO) in PSE’s history as well as seven other IPOs, 11 follow-on offerings, four stock rights offerings, and seven private placements, among others.

The Exchange’s trading-related fees went up by 15.2 percent while service fees grew by 26.1 percent.

Monzon noted that, “2021 proved to be a record year for capital raising, in terms of number of offerings and amount raised.”

“There have been five IPOs, four private placements so far this year, so we hope to see the same number of public offerings. We may not be able to match the record amount raised last year though, since Monde Nissin’s IPO alone raised a record P55.89 billion in capital,” he added.

Daily average value turnover in the first quarter of 2022 was at P8.13 billion, down by 9.7 percent year to date, due to uncertainties caused by inflation and geopolitical concerns.

“We hope these concerns will be resolved soon so that funds can flow back into the equities market,” Monzon said.

He also noted that, “Aside from an active listing assistance program that aims to see more companies do an IPO, especially on the Small, Medium and Emerging Board, we will continue to pursue the launch of more products and services, including platforms that will help equip and guide investors make sound investment decisions.”

The PSE launched the MidCap Index and Dividend Yield Index in March and organized an Investment Expo in January.

On May 24 to 26, the Exchange will host PSE STAR: Investor Day, aimed at growing the investor base and analysts’ coverage of listed companies participating in the event.

The PSE is also set to launch its data analytics platform as well as revamped versions of PSE EASy and PSE Academy in the coming months.