LOM Holdings Ltd. has published a Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX) Domestic Issuers Blue Book designed to encourage locals to invest in the Bermuda market.

LOM president Scott Lines said the idea of publishing the Blue Book came out of a BSX Council meeting where the topic of investor interest in the local market was generally discussed.

"Many of the issuers complained that there is a lack of liquidity and the stocks they have listed on the BSX are not followed," Mr. Lines said.

A number of companies have delisted from the BSX in the last two years, saying the lack of trading in their stocks and steep regulation do not justify the cost of membership.

So Mr. Lines decided that like North America and the UK, where securities firms issue blue books of securities, Bermuda should have an easy reference point for people wanting to learn more about the local market.

The guide is a compendium of information on Bermudian stocks presently available on the BSX, and LOM intends to publish the Blue Book annually.

The guide gives details about the 15 local companies presently listed on the BSX, a company description, recent results and stock price forecasts.

The publication also includes recommendations as well as companies' earnings. It also includes LOM's recommendations on whether to buy, hold or sell a particular stock.

"I felt international securities are already very well covered but no one covered in a comprehensive way all of the local securities on the Exchange," he said.

"Locals tend to think about real estate when investing locally but there are some undervalued local companies which we want people to consider when thinking about long term financial planning."

BSX President and CEO, Greg Wojciechowski, said the LOM Blue Book is an important first step in helping to highlight some of the very solid investment opportunities that exist at home for local investors.

"I was delighted to learn of the LOM Blue Book project and applaud LOM's effort to provide critical domestic capital market information to Bermudian investors," Mr. Wojciechowski said.

"I trust that this is the first of future editions and hope that Bermudian investors will find this information useful when doing research on domestic investment opportunities."

The Blue Book is free and anyone wishing to obtain a copy should contact Tammy Jones of LOM on 294-7036 or e-mail her at tammy.joneslom.com or they can visit the LOM offices in the LOM Building at 27 Reid Street, Hamilton.