Loss of Sell-Side Analyst Coverage: Long-Term Consequences and Options for Public Companies

November 4, 2009

DENVER, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) announced today that its November 10, 2009 meeting will feature Dr. Simona Mola, who will discuss the impact of losing sell-side analyst coverage on a publicly traded company. Dr. Mola, assistant professor of finance at Arizona State University, will present the conclusions of recent research evaluating the role of sell-side analysts and measuring the impact of lost coverage on public companies.

    Who:    Dr. Mola received her Ph.D. in business administration and
            management with specialization in finance from Bocconi University
            in Milan, Italy.  Her research lies in the area of empirical
            corporate finance and, in particular, new equity issues,
            underwriter reputation, and analyst recommendations. Prior to
            joining ASU, she taught at Purdue University and Pennsylvania
            State University.

    What:   For small and mid-sized organizations, analyst coverage has been
            a lifeline to the broad capital market. Many CFOs believe that
            independent coverage drives investor interest and liquidity,
            which in turn leads to a more accurate share price and a truer
            company valuation. But what happens when these same sell-side
            analysts discontinue coverage? Join us for a detailed discussion
            of the options that exist for public companies including
            aggressive outreach programs and buying company-commissioned
            research.

    Please click http://niri.barkerdesign.com/ to register for the meeting.

    When:   Tuesday, November 10, 2009
            11:30 AM - Check-in
            12:00 - 1:15 PM - Lunch and Presentation

    Where:  The Denver Athletic Club
            1325 Glenarm Place
            Denver, CO
            303-534-1211

    Cost:   NIRI Members - $38
            Non-members - $55

For members who are unable to attend the presentation, it will be available via a link on the home page of the Chapter's Web site (www.rockyniri.org) the following day. The presentation will be captured as a rich media recording courtesy of Boulder-based Catapult PR-IR (www.catapultpr-ir.com). Just click on the link to play back automatically. All that is needed is a Windows Media Player and preferably high-speed Internet access. Please send your feedback to Terri Douglas, Catapult PR-IR at tdouglas@catapultpr-ir.com.

About NIRI and the Rocky Mountain Chapter

With more than 4,300 members in 35 chapters around the country, the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) sets the highest standards in education designed to advance the practice of investor relations and meet the growing professional development needs of those engaged in the field. The Rocky Mountain Chapter represents most of the major public companies in the Rocky Mountain region with a membership that averages about 100 corporate practitioners, IR consultants and IR-related service providers. The chapter holds regular monthly meetings and special events featuring experts on leading issues affecting publicly traded companies and the investor relations profession. For more information on the Rocky Mountain Chapter, please visit its Website at www.rockyniri.org.

SOURCE Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute