NYSE Euronext today received a draft version of a report by the SME Strategic Planning Committee from the group's chairman Fabrice Demarigny. The next step is a market place consultation period, open now and ending in September 2012, during which comments will be collected from a wide variety of sources.
The Strategic Planning Committee was created in February 2012 to advise NYSE Euronext on all policy matters for SMEs. Its members, acting independently, were tasked with developing innovative proposals to improve the services on offer for SMEs – a segment that lies at the core of NYSE Euronext's strategy in Europe.
Their report highlights the need to reinvigorate the stock-market eco-system of which NYSE Euronext is a part at both local and European level and underlines some strong ideas such as:
- Creation of an exchange dedicated exclusively to SMEs, to allow deployment of regulations and procedures especially suited to companies in this segment and even better adapted to their needs in current unsettled conditions.
- A pan-European approach: in an increasingly globalized world, this new market can only be attractive and profitable for participants if it reaches critical mass.
- Independent, open governance and dedicated leadership that reflect the diversity of the eco-system and ensure that all parties are represented.
Dominique Cerutti, President and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NYSE Euronext, said: “It is a honour for NYSE Euronext to receive this report on the in-depth work of eleven French, Belgian, Dutch and Portuguese experts, who, as intermediaries, investors and issuers, reflect the diversity of the market's eco-system. I appreciate their contributions all the more in that the report's recommendations were adopted unanimously."
“As the members of the Committee have understood and pointed out in their report, the financial and economic crises have put pressure on the SME segment, which is shrinking every year,” Mr Cerutti continued. “When times are tough, you have to pull together and prepare for battle. Which makes it essential that everyone provide feedback during the consultation period that starts today. By working together, we will be able to rebuild a market and give the SME sector fresh impetus."
NYSE Euronext plans to pursue its analysis, taking into account comments received during the consultation period as well as the final report, which will be officially presented to it in September 2012.