IR magazine Announces Results of Largest IR Survey in History

NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- IR magazine is excited to announce the publication of the largest survey of corporate investor relations professionals ever produced. The Global IR Practice Report 2011 is based on a survey of more than 1,200 corporate IR professionals from companies around the world. Conducted by IR Insight, the research arm of IR magazine, this report provides unprecedented insight into IR department budgets and practices by region, sector and market capitalization.  

For the first time, there is a broad body of knowledge available to the global IR community that can be used to lower the cost of capital, improve investor engagement and grow shareholder value.

Key findings in the Global IR Practice Report 2011 include:

1. Money follows size: the size of an IR team is a key driver in the department's budget levels. But it doesn't work in reverse ‒ an IR team that is cash-rich will not necessarily have more people.

2. Diversity brings opportunity: companies with diverse shareholder bases are more likely to have both larger IR budgets and higher numbers of IR people. This follows the notion that a diverse shareholder base – and the benefits that come with it – requires a greater level of IR attention.

3. You can buy respect: the most highly respected IR operations in the world tend to have both larger teams and higher budgets. Simply put, you can invest for results. In this regard, IR is no different from most other business functions.

4. Emerging distinctions: two of the hottest emerging markets in the world do IR differently. In Brazil, a larger financial investment in IR is more common than it is in China. When it comes to people, on the other hand, the roles are reversed: companies in China have larger IR teams than those in Brazil.

5. Hard dollars are the norm: across industries and borders, IR teams spend around a quarter of their budgets on outsourcing. Conference calls, targeting and shareholder identification are the most common external services secured.

6. How to keep analysts happy: you can't throw bodies at analysts. Companies with more than six IR professionals don't have more analysts covering them. And the number of sell-side analysts covering a company does not affect the IR department's level of satisfaction with analyst coverage.

Janet Dignan, CEO, Cross Border Ltd:
"Now is the time to discard your assumptions. What we found in surveying the global IR community is that – in every region, sector and company size classification – there is still room for surprise. What is particularly interesting is the role of money and people in affecting IR results. These two factors don't always interact the way you'd expect."

The Global IR Practice Report 2011 is now available to order from IR magazine.  This report is free for professional subscribers and can be bought on a stand-alone basis for $595. Media excerpts and interviews with Janet Dignan (London) and Neil Stewart (New York), editor-at-large, IR magazine, are available upon request.

Links

Global IR Practice Report 2011: TBD
IR Insight: http://InsideInvestorRelations.com/research/
IR magazine: http://www.InsideInvestorRelations.com
Dynamic infographic on external IR budgets: http://public.tableausoftware.com/views/externalIR/externalIR?:embed=yes&:toolbar=yes&:tabs=no

About IR Insight
IR Insight 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. IR Insight 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