.jpg)
The 2017 Investor Relations Conference took place on 30 November and for the first time was held at Hard Turm Park, the new offices of SIX. Around 80 customers were invited to this all-day information and networking event, which covered a broad range of topics and offered interesting talks, panel discussions and workshops.
Reports on the topical subject of Chinese investors
The conference was opened by Chris Landis, Division CEO Swiss Exchange, and Andrea von Bartenwerffer, Head Account Management Issuer Relations, who extended a warm welcome to all participants. A regular feature of the program is a talk on current developments in financial market regulation, which was given by Corinne Riguzzi, Head SIX Exchange Regulation.
Panel "Strategic investors from China - Door opener or curse?"
The morning session ended with a panel discussion entitled "Strategic investors from China - Door opener or curse?". The panel members - Liana Logiurato, formerly Global Head of M&A at Syngenta
, Markus Vischer, a lawyer at Walder Wyss, Juan Wu, a lecturer at Zurich University of Applied Sciences, and Marcel Schmid, founder and CEO of Swissbridge Advisory - discussed topics such as the advantages that Chinese investors bring to Swiss and European companies. There was also a lively discussion of topics such as how to overcome cultural differences and how Chinese investors differ from US or UK investors, based on concrete examples. This informative panel discussion was chaired byHugo Bigi.
"A slightly different keynote"
In the afternoon, customers were free to choose from a range of workshops. Insights were provided, for instance, into the index universe of SIX Swiss Exchange and the trend towards passive investments. The results of a study conducted by the University of St. Gallen were used to highlight what investor relations measures SMEs should take to enhance their visibility and what the expectations of the capital market are. Other workshops were concerned with the impact of new accounting standards on issuer communications and with the digitalization of investor relations.
Viktor Giacobbo, "A slightly different keynote"
A "slightly different keynote" from Viktor Giacobbo, the Swiss comedian, producer and entrepreneur, provided a worthy conclusion to this year's conference. In his talk, Mr Giacobbo took a look at subjects such as IPOs, capital raising and investor communications from a slightly different and not entirely serious angle, with examples. At the networking reception that followed, members of the investor relations community had the opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss matters further in person.
Numerous benefits for equity issuers
The annual Investor Relations Conference is just one of a range of services that SIX Swiss Exchange offers to its listed companies. As well as enabling firms to take part in information and networking events, SIX Swiss Exchange also provide them with access to strongly capitalized Swiss and international investors, for example. Visit the SIX Swiss Exchange website for information about the range of services for issuers provided by SIX Swiss Exchange and about the visibility initiative "Stage Program".
