The Fijian stock market has recorded its strongest performance in over ten years, driven by a significant uptick in trading activity, dividends, and investor participation, as reported by the South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX).
Last year, total market turnover soared to $62.65 million, marking a remarkable 68% increase from 2024 and the highest annual trading value since 2015. This surge in activity was reflected in an average daily turnover that climbed by 69% to reach $249,610, indicating a dynamic and engaged market landscape.
Nitin Gandhi, the chairperson of SPX, noted that listed companies achieved unprecedented success in delivering returns to shareholders, with a total of $103 million paid out in dividends—surpassing the previous year’s record of $76 million. This demonstrates the robustness and profitability of Fiji’s corporate sector, highlighted by 18 of the 20 listed companies distributing dividends, with 19 reporting profits.
Furthermore, the capital-raising landscape reached new heights as Fiji’s capital market welcomed both equity and debt listings in the same year for the first time. Shreedhar Motors Limited launched an initial public offering, while RB Patel Group Limited rolled out a wholesale corporate bond. This trend follows a revitalization of the IPO market, suggesting increasing private sector interest in the stock exchange as a means to fund long-term growth projects.
The positive trend in market indices was notable, with the SPX Total Return Index increasing by 7.10% and the Market Capitalization Weighted Price Index rising by 4.15%. Investor engagement saw a significant boost, largely fueled by improved investor education and community outreach initiatives. The number of new secondary market investors surged by 166% compared to the previous year, while institutional investors played a crucial role in enhancing the market’s depth and sustainability.
In closing, Gandhi expressed confidence that the outstanding performance in 2025 reflects a growing trust in Fiji’s capital market, fostering a promising economic outlook for the region. Ongoing efforts to engage and educate investors indicate a solid foundation for continued growth and development in the future. This upward trajectory is not only beneficial for the stock market but also positions Fiji favorably within the broader economic landscape.