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Publications
Our publications explore current business and capital market trends and their potential impact on Investor Relations. Our focus is on providing pragmatic insights to deliver value to our readers.
The changing face of activism in Europe
Activism has travelled a long road from the pension-fund discipline of the 1980s, through the governance mainstreaming of the 1990s and the hedge-fund expansion of the 2000s, to the post-COVID focus on portfolio shape and operating performance. The European version today is quieter in public and firmer in private, with alliances that mix local institutions and global capital with outcomes that lean towards board refresh, capital deployment and disciplined execution. The focus has shifted towards more local players, more negotiated tactics and proposals that link directly to value creation rather than theatre. The implication for boards is clear: arrive with a coherent equity story and defensible capital choices, or someone else will write the plan for you.
Active asset management in refocus: A potential new dawn for European SMID caps
The asset management landscape is inexorably shifting, with passive strategies dominating inflows. This is creating urgency amongst active managers, with the search for Alpha heightening the need for agile reallocation of capital. In Europe, this has brought renewed attention on small and mid-cap equities, opening a rare window of opportunity for those with the right narratives, execution and strategic engagement.
What’s next for stock exchanges? Rethinking the equity story of market infrastructure
Stock exchanges are facing an identity test. Once viewed as neutral matchmakers of trade, they are now expected to act as dynamic platforms that actively shape capital markets. The narrative is shifting, and so are investor expectations. What once counted as value is being reassessed, and exchanges are under pressure to prove their relevance in new ways.
What matters now: 10 strategic levers and the questions investors are really asking
How leaders are sharpening the equity story in a shifting macro landscape.
As we move through the first earnings season of 2025, executive teams are navigating a landscape shaped not just by familiar macro trends, but by increasingly complex and interlocking risks.
Day 74 of Trump 2.0: Implications of trade tariffs on supply chain strategies and currency exposure
Following day 74 of Trump 2.0, a global market sell-off appears to be the overriding response to President Trump’s announcement of an extensive tariff initiative, characterised as ‘Liberation Day.’ But what does this mean for companies’ supply chain strategies and USD currency exposure?
Beyond compensation: Enhancing transparency in remuneration reporting
As the AGM season in corporate Europe approaches, investors and proxy advisors are preparing to evaluate a deluge of annual reports and proxy statements. Among the key agenda items under scrutiny are director (re)elections, ESG initiatives and – most notably – executive remuneration. CEO pay, in particular, remains a focal point of media and investor attention.
End-of-year 2024 Pulse: Evaluating earnings trends and looking ahead
Despite signs of an easing macro environment overall in the US and Europe throughout 2024, major economies, notably Germany and France, continue to grapple with significant challenges. This is exacerbated globally by escalating conflicts and natural disasters which are intensifying uncertainty for global trade. Nonetheless, corporate valuations ended the year strongly.
The strategic importance of Capital Market Days for B2B companies
Capital Market Days (CMDs) are pivotal for publicly listed companies, serving as a strategic platform to constructively engage with investors, analysts, and stakeholders. Beyond routine communications, CMDs are instrumental in articulating corporate strategy and market positioning. This article examines the critical role of CMDs for B2B companies and offers insights into maximising their effectiveness.
Building an effective sustainability strategy: An interview with Darina Elencheva
In today’s complex and evolving sustainability landscape, a company must have a clear roadmap for creating a resilient and future-proof organisation. Companies that focus on material environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, align their sustainability strategy with corporate purpose, and effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders can meet regulatory requirements and unlock long-term value. Sustainability isn’t just about compliance; it’s a strategic lever for driving growth, enhancing competitiveness, and making a meaningful impact in today’s world.
Investor Relations: The strategic key to valuation and business resilience
Investor Relations (IR) has evolved over the years beyond mere communication, emerging as a strategic driver that can influence valuation, enhance business resilience and generate a positive ripple effect across the organisation. Positioned at the intersection of corporate strategy and the investment community, IR bridges internal goals with investor expectations, ultimately optimising valuation and reducing the cost of capital.
Quarterly Pulse Q2 2024: Evaluating earnings trends and looking ahead
With most FY 2024 guidance confirmed, the continuation of supportive Q2 2024 trends into H2 2024, particularly regarding pricing, remains crucial. While the overall directionality of key metrics was mixed, the growing emphasis on AI is clearly becoming critical for future success.
Quarterly Pulse Q1 2024: Evaluating earnings trends and looking ahead
Labour challenges, self-help and supply chains were key themes for the Q1 2024 earnings season. Overall, FY 2024 guidance was either maintained or raised. While the tone towards Q2 2024 indicates caution, the second half may prove to be more promising.
Quarterly Pulse Q4 2023: evaluating earnings trends and looking ahead
Macro concerns linger in the Q4 2023 earnings season, although the focus is now switching from a defensive mindset to exploring growth drivers, with innovation and adaptability at the top of management teams agendas.
From sustainability strategy to equity narrative
Sustainability may appear fully embedded in your company’s strategy, but is this translating into your equity story? A genuinely strategic sustainability plan must focus on more than ESG ratings and rankings – it must be integrated meaningfully and seamlessly into every aspect of your business.
Navigating corporate messaging priorities in 2024 – will progression overtake pragmatism?
Our positioning as a strategic management consultancy dedicated to investor relations and the capital markets allows us to glean an in-depth understanding of emergent market trends.
2023 guidance considerations
Ahead of the publication of FY 2022 results, a recurring theme in our recent discussions with clients has been the approach to providing guidance for the forthcoming year, given that the operating environment remains uncertain.
IR trends for 2021
2020 has accelerated recent shifts in IR practices with lasting impacts. Outlined below are the key trends we expect in 2021, and what they mean for IR capabilities and budgets.
Embedding sustainability as a core strategic focus area – Part 2
In this, the second part of our series on sustainability and IR, we explore the methodology issuers can adopt in developing a credible sustainability strategy that caters to the needs of an increasingly diverse stakeholder base.
Assessing the role of IR in embedding sustainability into a company’s strategic framework – Part 1
In the first of a two-part series on Sustainability and IR, we explore the inherent benefits for small and mid-cap issuers in ensuring Investor Relations plays a central role in the development and execution of the Company’s sustainability agenda.
Communicating your equity story through and beyond the pandemic crisis
In recent weeks, the institutional investment community has been adopting a protective and defensive portfolio management strategy on the back of expectations of significant earnings downgrades, coupled with the risk of recession in the periods to come.
Saudi Arabia: The opportunities and challenges of a potential MSCI classification upgrade
What would an MSCI emerging markets classification for the Saudi Arabian stock exchange mean for Saudi Arabian and GCC issuers?
Demystifying the sovereign wealth fund universe
During the past ten years in particular, the emergence and development of the sovereign wealth fund universe as a core section of the global investment community has been notable.
Assessing the European IPO landscape within a global context: 2010 – 2015
Which regions are leading global IPO activity and how has the European IPO landscape developed over the last 5 years?
The evolving approach to debt investor relations in 2015
Increasing levels of competition in the debt capital markets lead investors to adopt a more selective approach to their current and future investments.
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