The Observatoire de la Communication Financiere (OCF) - Glossary of Financial Communication Terms: Launch of a New and Enhanced Edition

PARIS, June 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Observatoire de la Communication Financiere (OCF) is pleased to announce the launch of a new and enhanced edition of the popular "Glossary of Financial Communication Terms", originally published in 2004 and reissued in 2006, to be presented by the members of the OCF at the June 1st NYSE Euronext bell ceremony.

The new edition has been updated by OCF member professionals from Bredin Prat, French investor relations association CLIFF, PricewaterhouseCoopers and French financial analysts group the SFAF, with the backing of NYSE Euronext. It is designed to assist the entire financial reporting profession in getting to grips with its wide-ranging terminologies and concepts.

Didier MARTIN, a partner at Bredin Prat, states that "in view of the fast-paced innovation in the financial markets over recent years, we have enhanced and extended the latest edition of the Glossary to ensure that users are armed with all the latest information."

According to Philippe KUBISA, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, "the Glossary helps shed light on the language used by listed companies in corporate communications and sets down helpful markers for the financial community as a whole."

The new edition of the Glossary is available in interactive electronic format at the following address:

    http://lexique.observatoirecomfi.com
    The Glossary comprises:

    - more than two hundred and eighty definitions reflecting recent
      developments in the regulatory environment and financial markets;

    - an index of authoritative regulatory texts;

    - an index of organizations cited in the Glossary.

Bruno BEAUVOIS, General Secretary of the SFAF explains that "by opting for an electronic format, we can fine tune the content in real time meaning that the Glossary will develop into an interactive, accessible and user-friendly resource."

Marc LEFEVRE, NYSE Euronext's Head of Issuer Coverage and Head of Cash and Listing, France, has praised "the publication of this work, which demonstrates the growing role of financial communication professionals in listed companies on our markets. This brings tremendous benefits to issuers, investors, and all stakeholders in the stock market environment."

Eliane Rouyer-Chevalier, Chairwoman of the OCF and of CLIFF, hopes that "following on from the OCF's "Financial Communication: Framework and Practices" publication, this third edition of the Glossary will be a great success in financial circles, especially among issuers."

In keeping with the founding spirit of the OCF, the Glossary will be made available free of charge on http://www.observatoirecomfi.com as well as on the OCF members' websites:

    - Bredin Prat et Associes (http://www.bredinprat.fr)

    - CLIFF (http://www.cliff.ass.fr)

    - PricewaterhouseCoopers (http://www.pwc.fr)

    - SFAF (http://www.sfaf.com)

It will also be available on the website of NYSE Euronext (http://www.euronext.com).

The OCF

http://www.observatoirecomfi.com

The Observatoire de la Communication Financiere was founded in 2005 to promote best practices in financial communication and to participate actively in enhancing the reputation of the Paris Stock Exchange. It comprises representatives of Bredin Prat, CLIFF (French Investor Relations Association), PricewaterhouseCoopers and the SFAF (French Society of Financial Analysts). The OCF enjoys the support of NYSE Euronext and since its creation has capitalized on the expertise and complementarity of its members, working towards three related goals:

    - observing and analyzing developments in the sphere of financial
      communication: this has given rise to the publication of several
      research studies and surveys (Impact of the Transfer to IFRS, The
      stakes of the Transparency Directive, Analysis of the Press Releases of
      the SBF 120 companies, etc.);

    - bringing together viewpoints from issuers and the market, such as at
      the annual workshop held as part of the Paris Europlace international
      financial forums;

    - assisting issuers by organizing workshops and debates (Comparables
      Model, AMF General Regulations, Cash Flow Statement, etc.) and by
      publishing reference books ("Glossary of Financial Communication Terms"
      (in French), "Financial Communication: Framework and Practices").

    Bredin Prat
    Contacts: Didier Martin, Patrick Dziewolski - http://www.bredinprat.com

Bredin Prat comprises more than ninety French, English and American lawyers and focuses on specific aspects of corporate law. Bredin Prat has a strong M&A practice and also advises on securities law issues, as well as having renowned expertise in French and European competition law, tax, financing and related litigation.

CLIFF

Contacts: Eliane Rouyer-Chevalier, Christopher Hollis - http://www.cliff.asso.fr

CLIFF, the French investor relations association, was founded in 1987 and is essentially concerned by issues in connection with financial communication. CLIFF members are investor relations professionals from French listed companies of all sizes.

It has more than 150 members representing around 80% of the Paris Stock Exchange's market value.

    CLIFF's main objectives are:

    - to foster knowledge-sharing among members by providing a forum in which
      to exchange ideas and pool experience;

    - to encourage best practices and provide ongoing professional
      training for its members through events and publications on subjects
      directly related to their activities. CLIFF thereby contributes to
      improving the transparency of financial reporting and shareholder
      relations;

    - promoting the investor relations profession;

    - expressing the investor relations viewpoint and, as a respected
      partner, making recommendations to financial market players and
      regulatory bodies on issues concerning the organization, dissemination
      and ethics of financial reporting.

    PricewaterhouseCoopers
    Contacts: Philippe Kubisa, Claude Lopater - http://www.pwc.fr

PricewaterhouseCoopers provides audit, consulting and accountancy services to companies of all sizes, in both the public and private spheres, using a sector-based approach to ensure confidence and added-value for its clients and all stakeholders.

In France, PwC works in cooperation with its correspondent law firm Landwell, bringing together a total of 3,800 people in 24 offices.

"PricewaterhouseCoopers" and "PwC" refer to the network of independent member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited.

The global network comprises more than 163,000 people working in 151 countries, sharing points of view, experience and solutions to propose innovative perspectives and tailored advice.

For the year to June 30, 2009, PwC generated worldwide revenue of USD 26.2 billion. In France during the same year, PwC recorded revenue of EUR628 million.

SFAF

Contacts: Ibra Wane, Bruno Beauvois - http://www.sfaf.com

SFAF, the French Society of Financial Analysts, an organisation of investment and finance professionals, has been working for more than fifty years to improve financial analysis techniques and to develop quality financial and economical information.

The Society closely follows the evolution of the professions and the transition from a traditional activity towards new activities such as mergers, ESG, Intellectual capital, financial investment advisors...

By holding the vital Market calendar, SFAF enables more than 700 financial meetings per year allowing investors and companies of all sizes to get together.

SFAF also has a high presence with Market authorities, taking part in debates to improve the quality of financial information and develop the role of financial analysts. It also represents the profession within national, European and international bodies.

Through its training center, SFAF plays an important part in training high level finance professionals: in particular, it offers two qualifying training courses, CIIA (Certified International Investment Analyst) and CIWM (Certified International Wealth Analyst) which have international recognition in the main financial Markets and also respect local accounting and regulatory specifics.

To this day, the SFAF training center counts over 3,500 graduates.

SOURCE Observatoire de la Communication Financiere (OCF)