Thought Leadership

Capital Market Trends:

Over the past seven years, the capital markets have experienced an unprecedented rate of change that has affected all participants in the financial services industry. These pressures have created new opportunities for public companies, investors, traditional and non-traditional financial media.

As the public markets become accessible and integrated, the need of companies to strategically communicate with stakeholders is also becoming more complex.

Sage recognizes Six Trends as key issues that affect financial communications and stakeholder management globally:

  1. Cross-border consolidation of equity exchanges: Communicating with stakeholders will require presence in multiple markets.
  2. Capital Formation: Choosing the best path for a company will require experience in navigating the nuances of regional markets, while still presenting a consistent global perspective.
  3. Increased hedge fund activity: There are now over 10,000 hedge funds, mostly unregistered and unregulated, making it more difficult to execute investor relations and obtain intelligence on shareholders.
  4. Increased Internet and online technology solutions: These new technologies are increasingly being used for Investor Relations visibility--driven by investors¹ requirements for increased speed-to-information and regulators support of using technology for investor communications.
  5. Broadband (multimedia) adoption: The use of audio, video, and other alternative media is increasing in usage for financial services customers, investors, and corporations.
  6. Communications Convergence with Investor Relations:
    • Integrated messaging is being adopted due to regulation fair disclosure, best practices, and consistent message management.
    • Communications professionals are increasingly using media intelligence products including blogs, social networks and investor/consumer chat rooms to gather intelligence and effectively measure ROI.