Business panel: TISE is a great asset that promotes growth
What is The International Stock Exchange and what does it do?
Ian Smith, director, Estera Guernsey, replies:
THE International Stock Exchange is a leading independent stock exchange, headquartered in Guernsey and with offices in Jersey and the Isle of Man. The exchange has been operating since 1998 and offers a fully-regulated listing option for international companies looking to raise capital from investors all over the world.
TISE provides listed companies with access to a wide investor base because it is recognised as a reputable exchange by authorities around the world, and it delivers solid listing rules that give investors utmost confidence in the securities on offer, in the same way as other bigger stock exchanges like those in London and Amsterdam.
With the benefit of its location within the European time zone, but outside the European Union, TISE is now home to more than 2,600 listed securities from a wide range of industries, including over 400 investment businesses. It has been growing steadily in both size and reputation over recent years, with more than 700 new listings taking place last year, and 340 in the first six months of this year, up 2% on 2017.
One reason the exchange has become so popular is due to its international recognition. Some investor groups, like pension funds, are only permitted to invest in products listed on particular exchanges, and so the fact that TISE is an affiliate member of the like of the World Federation of Exchanges and the International Organisation of Securities Commissions is a big plus. It is also supported by the UK tax authorities and the German financial services regulator.
TISE has built a reputation as a cost-effective and efficient place to list securities, with a pragmatic approach to driving transparency and good corporate governance. This explains why so many investment funds have chosen the exchange, including a quarter of UK real estate investment trusts. Many investment houses, especially in private equity, use TISE for listing specialist debt to finance acquisitions.
TISE is a great asset to Guernsey’s financial services industry, giving businesses on the island a gateway to capital to help them grow and prosper.
