GCash targets ramping up GStocks PH user base in 2024

GCash said it wants to take advantage of the seen market rebound this year.

Photo from GCash

Widening access to stocks in PH

GCash said in a statement it aims to ramp up the user base of its stock investment platform as analysts see a recovery in financial markets this year.

In 2023, GCash tapped AB Capital Securities, Inc. (ABCSI), to introduce GStocks PH to its millions of users, allowing them to diversify their portfolios and choose companies listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

Many experts have said that the Philippine stock market is gearing up for a rebound in 2024. As headline prices begin to ease, central banks across the world, led by the US Federal Reserve, are expected to shift the gears and lower interest rates. This move is set to favor growth assets, especially stocks, paving the way for an optimistic outlook.

All of these would mean potential renewed interest in local stocks, especially as trading volume dried up in 2023. This might be the year that Philippine stocks start coming back to life, presenting a good opportunity for long-term investors to participate in the growth that local companies can offer over time, explained Mark Ilao, head of Market Education at GCash.

GStocks PH said it takes significant strides in gaining investors' confidence by establishing itself as a reliable trading channel, and by offering well-timed investment insights and advisories to its users.

GStocks PH is a laudable innovation that allows consumers greater and wider access to the Capital Market that would otherwise be more challenging via traditional means. This is also in line with the Commission's policy to further democratize wealth through equity participation which in turn strengthens the Philippine Stock Market, said Commissioner Kelvin Lester K. Lee of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

PSE's partnership with GStocks PH moves us a step closer to achieving greater financial inclusion by making the stock market more accessible to retail investors. We hope that as the market continues its recovery heading into 2024, more Filipinos will be able to take advantage of the growth of our publicly listed companies through stock investing, noted Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon.

Close to 60% of Americans own stocks. Here, the number is less than 2%. Conventional wisdom states that our low number is due to a lack of savings. But this does not explain the higher ownership in crypto and widespread participation in online gaming. The missing link between the stock market and the public is easy access. GStocks PH will be that link., highlighted Antonio Jose U. Periquet, Jr., Executive Chairman of AB Capital and Investment Corporation.

GStocks PH allows GCash users to easily access the world of investing in local stocks – register easily, top up quickly and free of charge, as well as seamlessly invest in over 280 local companies listed on the PSE – all within the e-wallet's app. Using the newest wealth tool of GCash, the Learning Hub, users can also access valuable and bite-sized content to better grasp financial concepts. GCash users can access the Learning Hub by going to GInvest from the main dashboard.

ABCSI continues to remind the public that any form of investment entails risk but these can be managed by thoroughly researching which stocks to invest in and by keeping a diverse portfolio.

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