Time to go public for SMEs, family-owned companies.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Daxim L. Lucas

WHILE MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL HESITANT to call it a bull run, the recent winning streak of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index may just be the start of an extended uptrend.

As such, the buoyant market sentiment may potentially benefit not only stock market investors but even small companies planning to raise funds to expand their businesses.

Thus said investment banker Antonio B. Herbosa who recently urged family-run firms to take advantage of recent market developments, including new listing rules which allow companies to go public the painless way.

What we want to do is help family-run businesses professionalize, he said in an interview. Part of this process includes listing on the stock exchange.

Herbosa is in charge of a unit with accounting and consultancy firm Punongbayan & Araullo, which specializes in helping …