A weekly compilation of news from around the world of investor relations. Compiled and edited by Pam Agnew, ABC.
Stock Funds in US See Largest Redemptions Since ’08
Investors pulled an estimated $132 billion from mutual funds that invest in US stocks, the fifth straight year of withdrawals for domestic funds. Bloomberg
Hedge Funds End 2011 on a Very Bad Note
The industry started more than 1,100 portfolios, the second-highest number in history, and $67 billion flowed into hedge funds in 2011, bringing the overall industry size to $1.72 trillion. DealBook
Fund Flows: Investors Go Defensive
Investors ended 2011 by taking more defensive positions, especially in bonds. AdvisorOne
Rich to Invest More in Commodities, Reduce Cash
About 48% of respondents said they plan to add to commodities investments during 2012 and 55% said they intend to make more direct investments in private companies. Bloomberg
NYSE, Deutsche Boerse Prepare Lobbying Push To Save Merger
EU antitrust officials are widely expected to recommend blocking the deal on the grounds it would crate a monopoly in listed derivatives trading in the region. Dow Jones
BATS Global Markets Earns 25.4% European Market Share in December
The combined market share makes BATS the largest European equities market operator in its first month since the Chi-X Europe acquisition closed. News Release
IR Service Provider of the Week
Virtua Research: Developer of the Interactive Analyst Center (IAC), the most advanced module of interactive financials and graphing tools, exportable for investors, customized and controlled by IR professionals.
Impact Investors Move Closer to Getting Their Own Exchanges
GATE Impact, due to launch early in 2012, will feature secondary trading as well as capital-raising and investment listing. Institutional Investor
NYSE Euronext #1 Globally in IPO Proceeds Raised in 2011
NYSE Euronext raised more proceeds from IPOs than any other global exchange group in 2011, with $33 billion in total global proceeds from 104 IPOs. News Release
NASDAQ Wins Transfers Battle in 2011
The group captured more than $80 billion in market capitalization from companies that transferred their listings, compared to $30 billion for its US-based competitors. News Release
ETF Trades Increasingly Affect Stock Prices
Stock prices are being increasingly influenced by the trading of exchange-traded funds, with real estate investment trusts as well as energy and consumer companies most affected, according to a Goldman Sachs study. Bloomberg
High Frequency Trading Doubles in Nordic Markets
High-frequency traders are continuing to build their presence on European stock markets. MarketWatch
CTEK Sues Nasdaq for Bias Against China Reverse Mergers
CleanTech Innovations has filed suit against Nasdaq over its de-listing a year ago, claiming racial bias. Barron’s
Facebook Aside, Market for IPOs Stays Cool
More than 200 American companies are now waiting to go public, the highest number in roughly a decade. DealBook
China’s IPO Market The World’s Biggest Despite Slump
China remained the world’s biggest IPO market in 2011, underscoring the shift of financial power from the west to the east. Reuters
China to Foster Short Selling
It plans to set up a central stock-lending body for short selling despite the prevailing bearish market conditions. The Standard
SEC Changes Policy on Firms’ Admission of Guilt
Defendants will no longer be able to say they neither admit nor deny civil fraud or insider trading charges when they have admitted or been convicted of criminal violations. New York Times
SEC Delays Rulemaking on Executive Compensation Yet Again
It has pushed back the deadline for the disclosure of pay-for-performance, pay ratios, the compensation clawback provision, and hedging activities by employees and directors. Compliance Week
Eaton Corp. Goes Extra Step to Disclose CEO’s Compensation
Paul Hodgson, GMI senior researcher, said he knew of no other company that provided the math and was so transparent about executive pay. The Plain Dealer
Will New Tools Help Small Shareholders Topple Giants?
These websites could enable investors to mingle online and pool their dispersed power as never before. WSJ.com
Another Year, Another 659,210 filings…
Fully 6,259 of the 8-Ks filed in 2011, or some 8% of the total, came after 4 p.m. on Fridays. Footnoted
SEC Says Adviser Defrauded Investors Using LinkedIn
Securities regulators charged an Illinois-based investment adviser with using LinkedIn and other social networking websites to lure investors by offering more than $500 billion in fake securities. Reuters
Enterprise Companies Overload on Social Media, Average 178 Accounts
The average enterprise company owns 39 accounts on Twitter, followed by blogs (32), Facebook (30), and LinkedIn (29). Marketing Charts
Traffic for Google+ Goes Positive Along with User Count
Between the months of September to November, Google+ saw a 118% increase in overall online activity. SEJ
Some Countries Are More Social Than Others, Survey Finds
“If you’ve been putting all your social efforts into the US and the UK, it’s time to shift your focus – and your budget – to the countries where users are more social,” Forrester said. New York Times
Pam Agnew, ABC is a director of IR Web Reporting International Inc. and an award-winning communicator. She has more than 20 years of corporate and agency experience in investor, crisis, corporate, media, stakeholder and sustainability communications on four continents for leading global companies as well as stock exchanges, securities regulators and large institutional investors.
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