These include an expanded facility for distributing all company communications, as well as making it possible to communicate video and audio content alongside RNS announcements. The new services, which will go live in January 2002, are:
- Further upgrades to the RNS internet submission mechanism to make it easier for companies to review and verify the final text of their announcement before publication;
- RNS Reach - a new investor communications service for non-regulatory announcements;
- RNS Mediastream - to enable video and audio content to be communicated alongside RNS announcements;
- RNS Insight - a web-based service that will allow companies, media and analysts to monitor, search and analyse RNS announcements; and
- RNS Alert - an email-based service that customers can use to target key industry contacts and send them details of the announcement at the same time as it is published on RNS.
Andrew McStravick, Director of Operations at the London Stock Exchange, said the latest enhancements are the most significant step yet in developing RNS to cater for the needs of its many customers.
"RNS is already highly valued and trusted and these new services will add to its success," he said.
"The UK's regulatory structure is recognised as one of the best in the world. An important factor in this is that companies have always been able to use RNS to distribute their announcements to the global investment community quickly, securely and cost-effectively."
McStravick also reiterated that the Exchange is looking forward to the completion of the FSA's review which will open up the dissemination of price sensitive information to competition.
He said:
"We welcome the FSA's moves to commercialise this area. Our new RNS services are just the latest in a continual programme of improvements. Combined with our experience in ensuring that regulatory information is efficiently conveyed to the markets, this means that RNS is well placed to provide a premier service in a commercial environment."
Fiona Tooley, Director, Citigate Dewe Rogerson, endorsed McStravick's comments:
"As the market tightens up on the way in which price sensitive information is used you must have confidence in the service you use to disseminate this - RNS offers a secure efficient service.
"The new services, which include RNS Reach, will add value as they will provide a point for regular newsflow that is not deemed price sensitive and enable investors and interested parties to keep abreast of the developments within a company and its business."
RNS releases 170,000 announcements each year, which are distributed to over 250,000 professional terminals world-wide, as well as to major financial websites and databases. Investors can also access real-time RNS information free of charge through the Exchange's own website.
In the past year, the Exchange has invested heavily in developing RNS. These include a new internet input mechanism which is secure, easy to use and is now being used for the majority of all announcements submitted by listed and AIM companies.
