Investors and Analysts Define the Best and Worst of European IR

NEW YORK, July 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest detailed intelligence on investor relations in Europe is now available. The Investor Perception Study, Europe 2011, from XbInsight, the research arm of IR magazine [LINK: http://insideinvestorrelations.com/investor-perception-studies/], covers the latest trends, best practices and company performances as determined by the investors and analysts with whom IR professionals communicate. This detailed report features direct feedback and analysis that is not available anywhere else. For IR professionals, it is an essential tool in benchmarking, planning, strategy formulation and performance measurement.

So what do analysts and institutional investors have to say about investor relations practices in Europe? The Investor Perception Study, Europe 2011 provides more than 114 pages of detail.

This year XbInsight finds that:

1. It's better to be pretty good at everything: for the first time ever, the Investor Perception Study, Europe includes a ranking of the top 100 IR departments in Europe. Many of the leading companies, such as Novartis, didn't accumulate enough points to win an award, but they have demonstrated the sort of IR savvy that makes them among the best in Europe.  

2. The UK improved, as did northern Europe: of the 30 top risers in the Investor Perception Study, Europe 2011 rankings, eight came from the UK. Northern Europe was also well represented, with Finland, Germany and Sweden each providing four fast movers and Denmark another three.  The banking sector led this improvement, with eight of the 30 spots.

3. Senior management has to be actively involved: there is no substitute for a close relationship between a company's C-suite and its senior IR professionals. Unilever, RWE and Randstad Holding demonstrated this over the past year, as reflected in their Investor Perception Study, Europe 2011 rankings. What's at stake? Well, XbInsight finds that more than 90 percent of investors want to meet senior management before buying or recommending a stock.

4. Reverse roadshows bring results: to balance demand for senior management time and the C-suite's availability, reverse roadshows are becoming increasingly popular. Forty one percent of respondents say they have taken part in a reverse roadshow, and 85 percent say it was a good use of their time. For smaller companies, in particular, this can be an effective approach.

5. The board of directors has a role to play: BASF, which won the grand prix for best overall investor relations for large-cap companies at the IR Magazine Europe Awards, uses the 'enormous commitment' of its board to support its IR efforts. Eight members of the board of directors are ready to participate in IR initiatives and activities.

The Investor Perception Study, Europe 2011 contains profiles and insights on around 140 companies in Europe from more than 25 broad industry sectors. Of the 731 analysts and investors surveyed, nearly 57 percent were sell side, 27 percent buy side, 14 percent portfolio managers and 2 percent other.

Janet Dignan, CEO, Cross Border Ltd

'It's clear from the results of our research this year that European companies see the value of effective investor relations. The number of companies investing in their IR teams and showing improvement indicates the importance of this discipline. Not merely a way to keep shareholders informed, IR has become an important tool for managing the cost of capital, protecting and growing shareholder value and increasing liquidity in a company's stock. Investors value a company that excels at IR in Europe, and the listed players have responded.'

The Investor Perception Study, Europe 2011 is now available to buy from IR magazine [LINK: http://www.insideinvestorrelations.com/subscribe/]. This report is free for professional subscribers and can be bought on a stand-alone basis. Media excerpts and interviews with Dignan (London) and Neil Stewart (New York), editor-at-large, IR magazine, are available upon request.

About XbInsight

XbInsight is IR magazine's research brand, building on the publication's established global research efforts. Since 1991, IR magazine has taken its renowned investor perception study around the world, to markets as diverse as Brazil, China, Singapore, Europe, Canada and the US. In every market, the process is the same: each year thousands of buy-side analysts, sell-side analysts and portfolio managers are asked which companies have the best investor relations. XbInsight is building on that expertise for its new series of studies examining successful investor relations practice and the key drivers of investor sentiment. To generate customized reports on your global peer group, please visit our website: www.insideinvestorrelations.com/research.

About IR magazine

IR magazine is the only global publication focused on the interface between companies and their investors. IR magazine hosts events in the US, the UK, Europe, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong and Brazil. Inside Investor Relations (www.insideinvestorrelations.com) is the magazine's companion website, which includes daily news updates that are highly relevant to investor relations professionals. Visit www.insideinvestorrelations.com for more details.

About Cross Border

Cross Border publishes IR magazine and Corporate Secretary. Based in New York and London, the company reaches highly targeted audiences in the investor relations and corporate governance communities through the two magazines and accompanying newsletters, events and websites. With roots in the Economist Group, we are renowned for providing quality insight and a global perspective. Our flagship publications, IR magazine and Corporate Secretary, are essential reading for executives around the world. Our awards are a key part of the calendar in leading financial centers including New York, London and China. With an expanding portfolio of digital properties and more than 20 conferences and events each year, we are well positioned for growth.

Visit IR magazine: www.insideinvestorrelations.com

Visit Corporate Secretary: www.corporatesecretary.com  

Tom Johansmeyer
Group marketing director
[email protected]
+1 212 430 6864

SOURCE IR magazine