IR magazine and XbInsight Announce Largest IR Research Project in the Market's History

NEW YORK, June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- XbInsight, the research arm of IR magazine, is excited to announce the largest research project undertaken in the investor relations community. XbInsight recently completed a survey of investor relations professionals that spans industries, sectors and company sizes. The result is a collection of information that will provide the most complete view of how IR is practiced worldwide.

In this increasingly volatile global financial community, companies have to become more effective than ever before. In XbInsight's extensive research effort, IR professionals have been polled on a number of important factors, from the importance of communicating macroeconomic issues to shareholders to targeting non-domestic investors.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for some XbInsight research.

XbInsight's survey participants come from a wide range of IR environments.

• More than 1,000 investor relations professionals responded, making it the largest survey conducted in this market
• Fifty-three percent of respondents are from the Americas; 35 percent from Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and 12 percent from the Asia-Pacific region
• A substantial 79 percent of respondents indicated IR as their primary job function
• Four out of five survey participants have been in the IR profession for more than three years – 53 percent for more than six years
• Respondents represent the full spectrum of listed companies by market cap: 58 percent have market caps of below $5 bn, with the balance being large/mega cap companies

Among the findings already identified is the consistency of IR budgets for all but mega-cap companies, with the largest businesses in the study spending twice as much on IR as the rest of the market.

XbInsight will publish its first report based on this survey in July, on the subject of roadshows and preferred brokers. Other topics include IR team budget and structure, crisis management, earnings guidance and sector-specific analyses. Interested companies can contact XbInsight for bespoke research engagements.

Janet Dignan, CEO, Cross Border Ltd

'In more than 20 years of covering investor relations, I have never seen a research effort of this magnitude, and I'm excited by the possibilities it affords. This project from XbInsight will provide an unparalleled level of visibility and insight into investor relations. Our readers will gain information they can use every day to improve shareholder engagement, manage the cost of capital and grow shareholder value. As we publish our findings, IR professionals will receive powerful tools for understanding the current state of play for shareholder communications... and the future of it.'

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, the Nordic region, South Africa, Canada, the UK 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 from the corporate perspective in order to analyse the inputs into the function and how these vary across different market cap sizes, different geographies and different industry sectors. 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, China 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 Ltd

Cross Border Ltd 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 Shanghai. 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: http://www.insideinvestorrelations.com

Visit Corporate Secretary: http://www.corporatesecretary.com

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

SOURCE IR magazine