1. Special status Small and Midcap Experts
The “Small and Midcap Expert” label (SME) is designed to stimulate and promote trading in small and mid-size companies. Small and Midcap Experts commit themselves to closely follow mid and small size listed companies and to provide research reports. Every Small and Midcap Expert will do this for at least 30 companies with a market capitalisation below € 1 bln, of which at least 10 with a market capitalisation of € 150 mln or less. With a dedicated sales and research team the Small and Midcap Expert will promote mid and smallcaps, publishing an annual as well as a semi-annual review per company, with special updates after major events.
In order to promote the Small and Midcap Experts active on its markets, Euronext will support their dedicated promotional activities for small and midcaps.
On 21 February 2005 the Small and Midcap Expert label was launched for stocks listed on Euronext Paris and has been extended to small and mid-caps listed in Brussels and Lisbon on 4 April, adjusted to reflect features specific to each market. With the Small and Midap Expert label launch in Amsterdam today, in total 27 intermediaries are active as Small and Midcap Experts on the Euronext markets.
2. Creation of a single regulated market and small & mid-cap indices
In order to create a more transparent market, Euronext has transferred all companies listed on Euronext’s markets to the Eurolist. On this list, stocks are classified in alphabetical order, with a capitalisation indicator attached to each to distinguish between large, mid and small caps. This indicator corresponds, respectively, to capitalisations of over EUR 1 billion (compartment A), between EUR 150 million and EUR 1 billion (compartment B), and below EUR 150 million (compartment C).
Euronext has also launched a new line of indices dedicated to small and mid-cap stocks at the request of investors and fund managers specializing in this category. A new index for small-cap stocks was launched on Euronext Amsterdam on 2 March 2005: the Amsterdam Small cap Index (AScX).
"We welcome Euronext's initiative to promote the small and midcap segment. A concerted effort between Euronext and dedicated brokers within our segment will enhance visibility and liquidity of smaller companies in the Netherlands. We hope therefore that this Euronext initiative endorses our strategy focused on Small and Midcaps", says Willem Meijer, chairman of SNS Securities N.V.
Small and Midcap Expert contacts:
AEK: dhr J. Willard +31 20 530 6300
ING Bank: dhr F. van Laar / dhr M. van Stiphout +31 20 563 8780
SNS Securities dhr E. van Engeland +31 20 550 8473
Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers: dhr P. Klijn +31 20 5570 275
Van Lanschot Bankiers: dhr B. Debrauwer +31 73 548 8586
