Joining the dots - A summary of the narrative reporting practices of the FTSE 350

Joining the dots - A survey of the quality of narrative reporting among all the FTSE 350 companies, which identifies where action is needed in the next reporting cycle for companies to gain a competitive edge and help restore trust in this tough economic environment.

Despite the improvements in the scope of information reported our review highlights some on-going challenges. Overall, we found:

• 92% of companies set out their principal risks and uncertainties
• Only 18% used strategy to help readers navigate reported information
• 84% explicitly identify their KPIs
• Only 31% clearly align KPIs with their strategic priorities

Investors, regulators, consumers and others are all putting pressure on companies for them to communicate a broader picture of their corporate performance. And if done well, this can deliver competitive advantage in accessing capital, winning in the war for talent and building strong business relationships and corporate reputation.

"The next reporting cycle is going to be a tough one," said David Phillips, PricewaterhouseCoopers corporate reporting partner. "Companies that provide a clear explanation of their strategy and performance, which is seen by the market as transparent and honest, I believe will command a premium."

Download the summary report to find out more about FTSE 350 reporting practices and to explore how your company measures up, or contact us for a hard copy.

Contact us if you are interested in benchmarking and further tips on how to present a clear picture of your company's performance.