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Hey Reader,

Here's What's Hot on the business scene right now 🔥🔥🔥

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🔥 What's Hot - First IPO of... Jan 28 · Money Media 2:40   ​

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First IPO of 2026

Number 1

Wooden pallet manufacturer, Woodcats, is aiming to be the first company to list on the Jamaica Stock Exchange in 2026.

The 26-year-old company is offering 833 million shares to the public each priced at 90 cents.

The minimum subscription is 1000 shares. If the offer is successful, they will list on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.

In addition to wooden pallets, Woodcats also manufactures garden mulch, planter boxes, outdoor furniture, and engineered wood items. The company was acquired by Derrimon Trading in 2018.

They intend to use the funds to purchase equipment and for working capital.

The offer opens on February 2 and is expected to close on February 20. NCB Capital Markets is the lead broker.

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📊POLL QUESTION

Who do you think was the best speaker at the Jamaica 2026 Budget Debates? Finance Minister Fayval Williams Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Julian Robinson Opposition Leader, Mark Golding Prime Minister Andrew Holness

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Lee-Chin makes US$94 million bond payment

Progress

Michael Lee Chin has reportedly made the initial payment of US$94 million owed to bondholders.

According to the Gleaner, the Jamaica Central Securities Depository Trustee Services, which represents the bondholders, said it received the payment from AIC Barbados in full last week.

The payment was originally due December 31. It’s part of a repayment plan arranged by a bond committee.

This is intended to help three of Lee-Chin’s companies repay more than US$364 million to bondholders.

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SSL case moved to Supreme Court

Big Deal

The criminal cases against three former SSL executives have been transferred to the Supreme Court.

SSL Founder Hugh Croskery, his daughter, Sarah Meany, and former SSL CEO Zachary Harding have each

been slapped with multiple breaches of the Larceny Act, the Companies Act, the Securities Act and the Banking Services Act.

The cases were previously being tried in Parish Court. SSL collapsed in 2023 after a J$4 billion fraud was uncovered.

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More trade wars

Again?

US President Donald Trump has threatened 100% tariffs on Canada if the country deepens ties with China.

Canada and China recently made a trade agreement that would lower levies on Canadian canola oil from 85% to 15% by March.

In return, Canada will tax a limited number of Chinese electric vehicles at 6%, down from 100%.

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