Results of the preliminary research for the 2010 FD Henri Sijthoff Award
The results of the preliminary research conducted on behalf of the 2010 FD Henri Sijthoff Award have been announced. Check out the most important findings and the list of selected websites.
For the eighth consecutive year, Jungle Minds has evaluated the quality of the online financial communications of all companies listed on the Dutch stock exchange. This research constitutes an important part of the judging process for the FD Henri Sijthoff Award presented by Het Financieele Dagblad.
Jungle Minds has raised the selection bar even higher this year. Only 40 companies will qualify for the main research in 2010. In addition, several criteria have been tightened to set the bar higher again for financial reporting. The 40 websites with the highest score in the preliminary research were evaluated on the basis of 150 criteria.
Websites selected for the main research
The following companies were selected for the main research:
| Overview of the 40 selected companies | |
| AEX | Midkap |
| Aegon | Arcadis |
| Ahold | Delta Lloyd (new on stock exchange) * |
| AkzoNobel | Draka Holding |
| ArcelorMittal | Imtech |
| ASML Holding | Logica * |
| BAM Groep | Mediq |
| Corio | Nutreco Holding |
| DSM | Ordina |
| Fugro | SNS Reaal |
| Heineken | Ten Cate |
| ING Group | USG People |
| KPN | Vopak |
| Philips Electronics | |
| Randstad Holding | Other Securities |
| Reed Elsevier | Ballast Nedam * |
| Royal Dutch Shell | Exact Holding |
| TNT | Gamma Holding |
| TomTom | Grontmij Cert. * |
| Unilever | Kendrion |
| Wolters Kluwer | Progolis European Prop. (was Mid Cap) |
| SligroFoodGroup | |
| Van Lanschot | |
*) Newly selected compared to 2009
AEX higher despite stricter criteria
On average, the quality of online financial communications has declined compared to 2009. This decline could possibly be attributed to the tightening of some of the criteria. It is striking that the number of selected AEX companies has risen this year in spite of these stricter criteria, whereas Mid Cap and Other Securities dropped slightly.
Advantages of the internet put to increasingly better use
Companies make more and more use of the advantages offered by the internet compared to print. This is evident from the growing use of video and interactive diagrams. The number of personalization options available is also increasing considerably, among which a so-called ‘PDF builder’: a tool enabling the user to create a document based on web pages he or she considers interesting.
Strong growth in the number and quality of online annual reports
The number and quality of online annual reports have risen significantly. More and more companies recognize the advantages of an online version of their annual report, as a result of which it has taken on an increasingly prominent role. The online annual report is becoming more comprehensive and user-friendly, thus maximizing its added value compared to the print version.
High scores for share information and Investor Relations
Listed companies keep their financial stakeholders very well informed by means of a comprehensive Investor Relations section, detailed IR contact information and complete, up-to-date share information. These scores are particularly high among the AEX and Mid Cap, with little difference between the two indices.
Lower scores for company information and Corporate Governance
The low scores obtained on some of the criteria came as a surprise, since online financial communications can be substantially improved in many respects without major investments. For example, the supply of good company information, press releases and Corporate Governance information can be achieved simply and without much of an effort. As a result, financial information can be supplied in a better and quicker way, increasing a company’s transparency.