Invest in capital markets despite challenging times – NTHC

The Acting Managing Director of the National Trust Holding Company (NTHC) Francis Apanka has downplayed the effect of the downward trend of the equity market on current  or future investments by Ghanaians.

In 2015,  many African capital markets faced challenges  in the wake of market volatility and the emergence of renewed global economic uncertainties.

But Mr. Apanka who described the volatility of the equity markets as normal, rather called on Ghanaians to take advantage of the downward trends in the capital markets to invest.

Speaking to Citi Business News at the 40^th Anniversary of NTHC , Mr. Apanka said in times of market volatilities, it was imperative for Ghanaians to have good financial judgment and insight.

“I agree with you that the equity market is on a downward trend at the moment but that is not unusual because markets generally go up and down. I think the important thing is where the market touches you as an investor ; you are either buying or selling,” he said.

He was of the view that the best time to invest in a market is when it is down since it is an indication that it will rise in the near future.

As part of measures to survive the market, he stated that NTHC has designed different market products to increase the profit margins of its investors despite the challenging times.

“At NTHC we have a lot of services targeted at investors who want to do equities as we have dedicated brokerage services, so we are able to sell and buy shares for everyone who wants to,” he assured.

Citing some products that have benefited its customers, Mr. Apanka stated that the company has advised investors on equity investments which enable people to invest in shares either on discretionary bases or active part.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the board of NTHC,  Lawyer Peter Hayibor in a speech recounted the significant contribution NTHC has made to the development of the financial services industry and the capital markets in Ghana.

He argued that  NTHC was one of the leading investment banks to advise and manage the privatization of state owned enterprises, spearhead the establishment of the Ghana Stock Exchange(GSE), and sponsor some of the initial listings on the GSE.

“Today NTHC is a full grown investment banking group, offering a wide range of services including corporate finance and advisory, stock broking, pensions trusteeship and administration, asset management and registrar services,” he siad.

In addition to this Mr. Hayibor stated that the group also has real estate development and commodities trading businesses and played a major role in establishing the first generation of stock broking, registrar, asset management and real estate businesses in Ghana.

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By: Norvan Acquah – Hayford/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana