EOG Resources Inc. scored the highest in investor-relations effectiveness, according to a Greenwich Associates survey, followed by Noble Corp., Dell Inc., Carnival Corp., and United Technologies Corp.
The survey of more than 750 investment analysts found that "buy-side analysts consider the credibility of the CEO and CFO to be the most important factor in effective IR, followed closely by transparency of accounting, and the accessibility of the senior management team," according to a Greenwich statement.
"There is a growing need for companies to provide effective IR communications to the buy-side investment community in order to recognize maximum shareholder value," John Webster, Greenwich consultants, said in the statement. "Effective IR is not only the responsibility of the IR department; it extends to senior management as well as the finance and accounting function."
The investment analysts surveyed by Greenwich work at 290 of the largest investment firms and were asked to evaluate large publicly traded companies they cover on 12 qualitative factors, including capability and credibility of senior management, the quality of written reports, the transparency of accounting information and the quality of investor meetings.
The rest of the top 15 scorers, in order, are Entergy Corp., United Health Group, Burlington Resources Inc., SAFECO Corp., Symantec Corp., Zimmer Holdings Inc., Procter & Gamble Co., Nordstrom Inc., Gannett Co. Inc. and Staples Inc.
