MARC HASENFUSS: In a sweet spot
Any punters who snapped up ISA shares in 2008 at 23c are undoubtedly happy campers
Security technology group ISA Holdings came to the market via a reverse listing in 2005, a handful of years after a slew of ambitious countermates fizzled most frighteningly. Some older readers will recall (with a wince) the aftermath of the late 1990s listings boom, with the demise of short-lived listings such as Prism Holdings, Idion Technology, Ixchange, MBtech, Intervid and Enterprise Outsourcing causing consternation among retail investors. ISA bravely reversed into left-for-dead technology listing Y3K, and was understandably ignored by a fearful market. But the company shrugged off this aloofness, maintaining a single focus on its security niche to build a rock-solid operating platform. Still, compared with the handful of surviving tech listings from the late 1990s, ISA looks a real Cinderella. Net1 UEPS, EOH, Mustek and Alviva turn over many billions of rands, having adapted their business models with mergers and acquisitions. ISA, on the other hand, has not pursued M&A with ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.