A share is a unit of ownership interest in a company. When you buy or receive shares in a company, you become a part owner of that company. This is also known as having equity in that company. The more shares you have in relation to the total number of shares outstanding by the company, the more of the company you own. For example, if a company has 10,000 shares outstanding and you own 100 shares of this number, then you are in a 1.00% owner of the business. Another example is if another person owns 1,000 shares of the same company, then this person is a 10.00% owner. Individuals who own shares in a company are referred to collectively as "shareholders" or "stockholders" and they are stakeholders in the business.

A company may also be authorized to issue more than one class of common stock or shares, some of which may not have voting rights (Not all companies have this provision). In addition, a company may issue more shares through a rights issue which may or may not be issued to existing shareholders. Hence, this can lower one's percentage ownership of a business. Lastly, if a company carries out an employee share ownership program (ESOP) or share options, this can also dilute a company's earnings and add to the outstanding shares for a business.

One can do this by navigating through our site, www.gostocksandsecurities.com. The website provides daily trading data on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE), Stocks and Securities Ltd. (SSL) Daily Investor Blog on JSE stock market happenings, a monthly SSL Newsletter (provides new and data on local and international economies and a local public company), SSL Company Clips (snapshot on JSE companies – description, earnings, price multiples, etc.) and breaking local, Caribbean wide and global news. The SSL site leaves no information unturned for purposes of investing in the Jamaican and Caribbean Market.

Visit Stocks and Securities Ltd. (SSL) today! See the "Contact Us" section on the site for details, or come and visit us at:

Stocks and Securities Ltd. (SSL)
1st Floor
24-26 Grenada Crescent
Kingston 05
Jamaica
West Indies

Once you get here (SSL also offers electronic data opening or communication to open accounts in case you cannot physically come to our office, whether in another country, too busy or disabled) SSL can provide you with a financial advisor, licensed under the local regulatory body (the Financial Services Commission (FSC)) to provide you with the financial solution or portfolio that best fits your goals, needs and risk tolerance.

Visit Stocks and Securities Ltd. (SSL) today and speak with one of our highly educated and experienced investment advisors! In the interim though, see SSL's "Products and Services" section on the website!

In order to open an account at SSL, the following is required from you:

1. Identification (ID) – this can be a driver's license, a passport or a voter's ID.

2. Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) – this is a Jamaican taxpayer number. If you are not Jamaican or do not possess this number, then the applicable taxpayer ID number to your respective citizenship or working environment is required (for example, if you are a United States citizen and have a social security number, then this will be required).

In order to complete the opening of account or accounts, the following has to be filled out by you:

1. Stocks and Securities Ltd. (SSL) account opening form (individual or corporate) for "Know Your Customer" (KYC) purposes.

2. Stocks and Securities Ltd. (SSL) client agreement form.

Stocks and Securities Ltd. (SSL) charges 2.00% of the gross transaction cost; gross cost means the number of units bought or sold multiplied by the purchase or sale price per unit. This fee is general and is negotiable based upon the size of the order placed with us. There are three (3) other fees associated with doing a Jamaican Stock Market transaction. They are as follows:

1. Charge of JMD 110.00 per trade representing the Jamaica Stock Exchange Trade Fee. For example, if you BUY 1,000 units of Desnoes and Geddes (DG), the producers of the world famous Jamaican Red Stripe Beer and this purchase is filled in three (3) transaction to obtain the full order, then the fee is JMD 110.00*3 = JMD 330.00.

2. Charge of 0.19625% of the gross transaction cost represents the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) Cess Fee. For example, if you BUY 1,000 units of Lascelles @JMD 270.00, the producers of the world famous Jamaican Appleton Rum, the gross cost is JMD 270,000.00. The JSE Cess Fee is equal to 0.19625%*270,000.00 = JMD 529.88.

3. Charge of 16.50% on all of the aforementioned fees or charges representing General Consumption Tax (GCT) that is a Government of Jamaica (GOJ) charge. For example, to illustrate this hypothetically:

   • Stocks and Securities Ltd. (SSL) Commission is JMD 1,000.00

   • JSE Trade Fee is JMD 110.00

   • JSE Cess Fee is JMD 25.00

   • Then GCT is equal to (1,000.00+110.00+25.00)*16.50%

   • Hence, GCT = JMD 187.28

Although it seems like a host of fees, going in and out of Jamaican Stocks works out to be approximately 3.00% on the BUY or SELL side (this depends on size of order; for example, large volumes on BUY or SELL can achieve a charge of 1.00% - 1.50% for total fees).

Stocks and Securities Ltd. (SSL) is in the wealth management business and cumulatively the stock market business for the following reasons:

1. Wealth Management plays a critical role in every individuals and/or companies life span in terms of financial goals and continued growth towards success and financial freedom. SSL wants to be there for you in striving towards "Profitable Performance".

2. SSL wants to be there for you to fulfill your educational, family, wealth goals!

3. SSL believes that Jamaica is well positioned for continued growth and numerous opportunities exist to invest in Jamaican public companies that have strong local, regional and global brands to grow one's investments over the medium to long-term. SSL wants to be able to facilitate this opportunity for you to be able to invest!

4. SSL believes that with Jamaica's economics improving, the equity market will play an even more important role to the economy than ever before in Jamaica's short history!