New platform helps listed South African companies engage with investors

In line with global trends, the increase in retail investing activity through social media, online share trading platforms and mobile apps create an opportunity for listed companies to educate and engage with this rapidly growing community about their business.

Until now, there hasn’t been an easy, standardised way for companies to engage with this community, beyond the regulatory information published on platforms such as the JSE. Technology company Iress, and Australian investment information service Listcorp, have formed a technology partnership to address this gap. Through Iress’ investor relations, South African listed companies can engage with investors, share their business activity, strategic insights, and elevate their corporate profiles to the retail market.

With this platform, we are giving issuers a new way to tell their story directly to institutions and individuals

Communicate directly with retail investors

Listcorp is designed to facilitate discovery, understanding and communication between investors and listed companies. This service provides retail investors with detailed, timely information on all South African listed companies via a personalised, social media style experience. Listed companies are empowered to connect with all shareholders and investors with rich media company news beyond mandatory market announcements.

Iress Managing Director South Africa, Ray Pretorius, says the way South Africans invest is evolving, as digital platforms enable them to take more control of their own portfolios. “While most listed companies have established channels to communicate with analysts and institutional investors, they recognise that they need to reach retail investors, too.

Built for better engagement

Issuers can populate their profiles with a range of company information to provide meaningful investor relations communications. They can also leverage web widgets powered by Iress market data on their own corporate investor relations pages, ensuring they offer detailed and consistent company information to all investors across multiple platforms. These widgets are designed to be configurable and easy to use, with new features continually being added.

“One of the major challenges facing listed companies in South Africa is finding and engaging with their audience. Our aim is to provide these companies with access to a set of tools that help shareholders to become long-term investors. We also bring them a fast-growing and highly active investor community with a keen interest in finding new companies in which to invest,” says John Daly, CEO at Listcorp.

“With this platform, we are giving issuers a new way to tell their story directly to institutions and individuals – in the same place and format for every company, and in any media they wish. It’s a scalable, simple way for them to build lasting relationships with their investor communities.

“By making high-quality company information easily available to individual investors, it empowers them to make informed decisions about the equity investment opportunities on offer,” he concludes.

Visit iress.com/investor-relations/ for more information or sign up at listcorp.com for free.

Ray Pretorius, Iress Managing Director, South Africa

John Daly, CEO, Listcorp