Methodology

The IR Insight benchmarking tool uses the results of nearly 20 years of IR magazine’s investor perception studies to quantify companies’ IR efforts.

The studies are independent third-party research surveys, commissioned or conducted by IR Insight, the research arm of IR magazine. They are also used to identify the winners of our awards for top-flight IR. The researchers talk to analysts and investors to get their opinions of the companies, as well as their views on topical issues affecting IR in the region.

The published studies are reports and analyses of these surveys. They contain thousands of historical rankings and points totals for more than 1,000 companies worldwide. From these, a normalized IR score can be calculated for North American and European companies rated by the relevant investment community, which can then be used to benchmark companies’ IR performance across those regions. Asian companies voted for by their investment community are given a ranking out of the number of companies mentioned in the relevant study based on the total number of recommendations they receive, which can then be used to benchmark IR in the region.

The study respondents are mainly buy-side analysts, sell-side analysts and portfolio managers. There is no predetermined list of companies to choose from: respondents can nominate any company listed on a stock exchange and domiciled in the region being surveyed.