1 Feb 2007 16:29

Interfax Business Service becomes accredited Investor Relation agency in RTS START

ZAO Interfax Business Service, part of the Interfax International Information Group, has been included in the list of agencies having an official right to implement issuer IR support in placement of securities in the RTS START trading floor.

The decision to grant accreditation to the Interfax Business Service as an IR agency in the RTS START stock exchange segment was taken by the authorized body of the RTS Securities Exchange.


“The appearance of the specialized trading floor for companies of small and midsize capitalization is an important step in the development of the Russian securities market, it is also setting new goals in the sector of investor relations,” Interfax Business Service Director General Mikhail Matovnikov said.


"The issue of IR efficiency is especially urgent for the companies of small and midsize capitalization, for whom RTS START is being created. The limited budgets that they allocate for these aims should be transferred for targeted and maximally efficient work with a comparatively small number of investors. We think that we shall be able to work efficiently with issuers of small and midsize capitalization."


Interfax Business Service offers services to Russian companies in the sector of Investor Relations in partnership with Thomson Financial, implemented IR support contracts for ten Russian companies last year. Using Interfax information resources and infrastructure, including that of Thomson Financial, makes it possible for Russian companies to cover a broad range of both Russian and foreign investors.


In terms of the RTS START segment there exists a pool of consultants, authorized financial consultants, market makers, auditors, legal consultants, PR and IR agencies, rendering services for preparation and placing of securities in the securities market.


 


*** Interfax Information Services Group creates information and communication services affecting decisions in politics and business. The group, set up in 1989, unites a network of national, regional and branch information agencies working in Russia, in other CIS countries, in China, Central Europe. Interfax (www.interfax.com, www.interfax.ru)  includes companies and departments providing news, analytical services, market data, fundamental information, developing program solutions.


Interfax’s partner in the Moody’s Interfax Rating Agency is Moody’s Investors Service, the international rating agency holding the leading position on the Russian rating services market. Jointly with Experian, world leader in the sector of information solutions for business, a credit bureau Experian-Interfax has been created providing information concerning timely execution of loan obligations by borrowers.


 


*** Thomson Financial is a company with annual receipts of $1.73 billion, providing information and technological solutions for the world financial community. Offering a most expansive range of products and services, Thomson Financial helps clients to make optimum decisions, work more efficiently and gain better results in more than 70 countries. Thomson Financial is part of Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), a world leader providing integrated information solutions for over 20 million companies and professionals in legal issues, accountancy, taxation, financial services, higher education, reference information, corporate education and employee assessment electronic systems, scientific research and healthcare. Thomson Corporation, with receipts of $8.1 billion is listed in the New York and Toronto securities exchanges.


 


*** RTS START – is a segment of the exchange market of the Securities Exchange Russian Trade System that started working in early 2007. The RTS START trading floor is serving for placement and/or circulation of securities of issuers of small and midsize capitalization. RTS START will make it possible for issuers of midsize capitalization to make a successful start in the securities trade, attract investment from the securities market in the IPO process, and form a secondary securities market.