A snapshot of FTSE 350 reporting
Our review of narrative reporting practices - A snapshot of FTSE 350 reporting - shows that the vast majority of companies continue to cover the basic information that is required. However, few provide the clear picture of performance or the depth of understanding that we consider necessary in the current economic environment.
Put simply, we believe that a compliance mindset often gets in the way of effective communication. If done well, reporting can deliver competitive advantage in a variety of ways. It can help secure capital and credit, win the war for talent, and build strong business relationships.
This summary report is our fourth review of the FTSE 350’s narrative reporting practices. The insights are particularly relevant to those responsible for the overall effectiveness of corporate reporting, such as senior executives in finance, the audit committee, investor relations, company secretarial and communications. Although the data is based on the UK’s FTSE 350 companies, the findings are also relevant to other companies in the UK and overseas interested in identifying any significant weaknesses in their own reporting and improving the effectiveness of corporate communications.
With continued uncertainty in the economy, trust and confidence are in short supply. Unwelcome surprises in the information that companies report are likely to have a dramatic impact on the market and on a company’s reputation. Clear, engaging and informative reporting is currently even more critical to management credibility and to meeting the challenges of rebuilding trust and share price.
The challenge, and the opportunity, is to ensure that the quality and sustainability of corporate performance is well understood by all key stakeholders.
If you would like to discuss how your reporting measures up against peers in your industry or specific reporting issues for your organisation, please contact us.
Download 'A snapshot of FTSE 350 reporting' to find out more about FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 narrative reporting practices 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.
