An overview of Papua New Guinea’s stock exchange, PNGX, including how to buy and sell shares, listing rules and contact information.

The Port Moresby Stock Exchange Limited (POMSoX) was renamed PNGX Markets Limited (PNGX) in December 2018, following the sale of Bank South Pacific’s 62.5 per cent share in POMSox to Pacific Capital Markets Development.

The exchange, which commenced operations in 1999, is an established avenue for the raising of capital in PNG and is PNG’s only stock exchange. But trading is thin and the number of companies listed small.

As of May 2020, there were 13 companies listed on POMSOX, including several dual- or triple-listed mining and petroleum companies. This is four fewer companies than in May 2016.

In 2015, Parliament passed new legislation to open up the exchange to greater competition. The Securities Commission Act 2015, the Capital Market Act 2015 and the Central Depository Act 2015 together effectively repeal the 1997 Securities Act.

The exchange is regulated by the PNG Securities Commission.

In 2019, PNGX announced the launch of six indices for the national market:

• PNGX Domestic Index (PNGXD);
• PNGX Market Index (PNGXI);
• PNGX Domestic Capitalisation Index (PNGXDC);
• PNGX Market Capitalisation Index (PNGXIC);
• PNGX Equal Weight Domestic Index (PNGXDE); and
• PNGX Equal Weight Market Index (PNGXIE).

They are expected to become the predominantly utilised indices in the country, replacing the previous Kina Securities Index and Kina Securities Home Index.

The three domestic ones will be restricted to national incorporated companies while the rest will include both PNG and foreign companies listed.

Buying and selling shares

Shares listed on PNGX can only be bought and sold through authorised brokers. Two brokers are currently authorised to sell shares in PNG: BSP Capital (a division of Bank South Pacific) and Kina Securities.

Trading is conducted through the Port Moresby Stock Exchange Electronic Trading System (PETS), which operates from 10am to 4pm each business day. The system does not operate on weekends and public holidays. Settlements are currently manually processed and normally take place on the third day after a trade.

Listing on PNGX

PNGX listing rules govern the admission of entities to the official list, quotation of securities, suspension of listed securities and removal of entities from the official list (delist). They also govern disclosure and some aspects of a listed entity’s conduct. Compliance with the listing rules is a requirement for admission to the official list. It is also a requirement under the contract that an entity enters into on being admitted.

The listing rules are enforceable against listed entities and their associates under the relevant legislation. The PNGX constitution gives the board of PNGX the power to make listing rules. Under Section 21 of the Securities Act 1997, listing rule amendments must be lodged with the Securities Commission. They are subject to disallowance by the Securities Commission.

There are three distinct admission categories for companies seeking to list on PNGX.

1. General admission

A company must pass a Net Tangible Assets Test or Profit Test, under which it must demonstrate it has assets of at least 1.5 million kina or has achieved total profits of 600,000 kina over the previous three full financial years.

2. Debt Issuer Admission

For entities seeking to list and quote debt securities.

3. Exempt Foreign Entity Admission

For foreign entities, which must pass a Net Tangible Assets Test of 50 million kina in assets, or a Profit Test of 10 million kina in total profits over the previous three full financial years.

Companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) or New Zealand Stock Exchange (NSX) are exempt from these tests.

Companies may list in two ways:

• Compliance Listing, a listing without capital raising;
• Initial Public Offer Listing, a listing with capital raising.

Listed companies must adhere to the exchange’s Listing Rules, which stipulate periodic and continuous disclosure requirements. Full listing rules and fee schedules are provided on the PNGX website and in the booklet A Guide to Listing on POMSOX, published by POMSOX in 2007.

Interested companies are urged to contact PNGX’s listing officers prior to making any move towards a listing.

Application forms are available from the exchange.

Further information

PNG Exchange Market Limited
Level 1, Harbourside West Building
Stanley Esplanade.
P.O Box 1531, Port Moresby,
National Capital District, Papua New Guinea

Telephone: (+675) 320 1982 or 320 1983

Facsimile: (+675) 320 1981