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NYSE Euronext is pleased to announce further measures underscoring its commitment to giving SMEs easier access to capital markets and improving both the visibility and the liquidity of midsize companies listed on its European market.
• Enhanced participation in market governance through a new Strategic Planning Committee dedicated to SMEs
NYSE Euronext is setting up a strategic planning committee that will give SMEs greater say in market governance, whether they are listed in the B and C compartments of its regulated market or on NYSE Alternext. Composed of issuers, intermediaries and other key stakeholders, this will be in place by the end of 2011. It will be chaired by Fabrice Demarigny, a lawyer with Marccus Partners, Head of Capital Market Activities at Mazars Group and author of a report on the Small Business Act for Europe. The Committee's brief includes identifying key priorities in developing the market for SMEs, and helping the NYSE Board of Directors to make strategic choices in this segment.
• Increased visibility and liquidity
NYSE Euronext is developing a new pan-European offering for the listing, placement and trading of corporate bonds. Designed especially for listed and unlisted SMEs, this new system will boost their visibility and diversify their sources of financing. NYSE Euronext will promote the system to investors, who will gain direct access to these investment securities through it.
In addition, NYSE Alternext recently launched two new segments – Public Offering and Private Placement –to distinguish companies listed by private placement from those listed by public offering. Since the beginning of 2011 there have been ten listings through public offerings, confirming a return to favour for this procedure despite difficult market conditions. Over the same period, four listings have taken place through private placements.
• Stronger local ties and outreach
NYSE Euronext plans a substantial increase in the number of training and information workshops for listed companies and listing candidates. Sessions are currently organized year round in conjunction with top specialists and major banking/brokerage networks. NYSE Euronext's next key industry event will be its first annual stockmarket conference, to be held on 9 November in Paris, with participants representing the entire financial community. In the past 18 months, NYSE Euronext has directly organized or sponsored no fewer than 191 similar events in France.
NYSE Euronext is also working hard to structure the market's ecosystem, and between now and the end of 2011 will be bringing together professional auditors and certified accountants. This builds on the creation of ALIS – the Association for Listing Sponsors – in May 2010, and ADB – the Securities Lawyers' Association ¬¬– in September 2011.
Finally, NYSE Euronext recently expanded its dedicated sales force for SMEs with a view to stepping up regional initiatives. Agreements with Lyon Pôle Bourse and CEFIM in Marseilles have been renewed, along with other initiatives in regions around France.
