Feb 10, 2014
NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Systemic market and political risk, followed by the uncertainty of new financial regulation, are the top issues named by companies as impacting global market confidence, according to the latest annual investor relations (IR) survey conducted by BNY Mellon, a global leader in investment management and investment services.
Roughly three-out-of-four of all respondents rated systemic risk, political risk, and levels of government regulation as important issues affecting market confidence. While Eurozone issues are no longer the top concern for companies globally, as last year's survey revealed, they remain the greatest concern for firms based in Western Europe, followed by political risk. Latin American companies, however, point to government regulation as their chief worry.
The importance of expanding shareholder bases internationally remains a key priority for companies globally, with 45% reporting this among their prime goals, up from just 17% in 2010. Western Europe leads this trend with 59% of companies reporting international diversification of investors as their main priority, with emerging Asia and the Middle East close behind (54% and 53%, respectively). Energy companies are the most active in targeting investors outside their home markets (58%) and consumer staples the least (37%).
Developed as a benchmarking tool for BNY Mellon's depositary receipt clients, the survey, Global Trends in Investor Relations, looks at how publicly traded companies are managing their IR practices and the issues affecting them. This year's report is based on survey results from nearly 700 respondents across 63 countries that span the range of market cap and industry sectors, including financials, industrials, consumer, technology and healthcare.
"Global markets are showing resilience, albeit with significant differentiation between regions," said Christopher M. Kearns, CEO of BNY Mellon's Depositary Receipts business. "Looking ahead, investors continue to be wary about the effects of systemic risk, politics and regulation on the world's markets and how they'll perform. In response to these challenges, we're seeing more firms seeking to boost their international shareholders and diversify their investor base. Depositary receipts remain a crucial tool for companies in both traditional and emerging markets to source new pools of capital."
Other key findings of the survey include:
"The imperative for companies to maintain an active, engaged investor relations program has never been greater," said Guy Gresham, head of the Global IR Advisory team in BNY Mellon's DR group. "Our IR specialists continue to work closely with clients in all regions to support and maximize their outreach when targeting new investor communities."
This is the ninth annual investor relations survey conducted by BNY Mellon's DR team. The full report is available online at http://www.adrbnymellon.com/IRSurvey.jsp
BNY Mellon acts as depositary for more than 2,700 American and global depositary receipt programs, acting in partnership with leading companies from 68 countries. BNY Mellon is committed to helping securities issuers access the world's rapidly evolving financial markets and delivers a comprehensive suite of depositary receipt services. Learn more at www.bnymellon.com/dr
BNY Mellon is a global investments company dedicated to helping its clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment lifecycle. Whether providing financial services for institutions, corporations or individual investors, BNY Mellon delivers informed investment management and investment services in 35 countries and more than 100 markets. As of December 31, 2013, BNY Mellon had $27.6 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration and $1.6 trillion in assets under management. BNY Mellon can act as a single point of contact for clients looking to create, trade, hold, manage, service, distribute or restructure investments. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). Learn more at www.bnymellon.com or follow us on Twitter @BNYMellon.
This release is for informational purposes only. BNY Mellon provides no advice nor recommendation or endorsement with respect to any company or securities. Nothing herein shall be deemed to constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Depositary Receipts: Not FDIC, State or Federal Agency Insured; May Lose Value; No Bank, State or Federal Agency Guarantee. BNY Mellon provides no advice nor recommendations or endorsement with respect to any company, security or products based on any index licensed by BNY Mellon, and we make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the same.
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SOURCE BNY Mellon