Which Stocks Do We Cover?

Stock coverage is based on two key considerations:

In the first instance your portfolio requirements for bespoke coverage

Secondly our value-added analytics which are based on coverage of core indices.

Manifest covers the following major indices for core coverage in-depth research reports.

Our global coverage means that we are able to offer complete portfolio coverage for proxy agendas and vote lodgement.

UK & Ireland

FT-SE 100
FT-SE 250
FT-SE Small Cap
AIM UK 50
ISEQ

US

S&P 500

Europe

Belgium - BEL20
France - CAC40
Germany - DAX30
Italy - S&P/MIB
Netherlands - AEX25
Spain - IBEX35
Sweden - OMXS 30
Switzerland - SMI30

FTSEurofirst 300
S&P Europe 350

Oceania

Australia - S&P/ASX 100
New Zealand - NZSX 15

Our policy of ‘Continuous Coverage’ means that even if companies leave the index, full research coverage is maintained.

So that you don’t miss any corporate activity, all types of meetings are analysed: AGMs, EGMs, Class & Court Meetings

Need More Info?

To find out more about how the Manifest Research Services could benefit your governance monitoring program. Contact Us

The Research Service

From Policy to Action

If you have a corporate governance policy – or are planning to put one in place – one of your major considerations will be how to support your on-going monitoring needs.

That’s where the Manifest Research Service can help. Designed with the needs of busy investment professionals in mind, the Manifest Research Service gives you the support you need to make informed voting decisions based on the best available data and analysis.

Relevant

Manifest’s analysts take governance analysis beyond ‘exception reporting’ to ensure that each company is analysed in a consistent, thorough and impartial way. Their specialised knowledge and on-going professional development means that you can be confident of being briefed on issues of concern and relevance.

Manifest also recognises that, as with investment decisions, governance is a multi-factor model, not ‘one size fits all’. You can be assured that whatever your policy you will benefit from analysis which pays attention to all the issues but leaves you - the investment professional – to make your own choices.

Thorough

Consistency and integrity of analysis matters to Manifest. That’s why all of our research is undertaken in-house by a team of full-time analysts. They are supported in turn by a team of data analysts whose job is to ensure that we have a complete set of accurate data items for each company. This may involve detailed discussion with the Company in question or their advisors, as well as using primary resources such as annual reports, meeting notices or articles of association.

Timely

The proxy voting season is an extremely busy time of year, concentrated between March and June.

On a busy day during ‘Peak Season’ our analysts receive up to 40 annual reports and meeting notices. Just to read through that much documentation would be daunting enough for one person, even without reviewing and judging each aspect of corporate governance best practice.

The increased use of Nominee names means that investors do not always receive shareholder documentation. This can lead to uncertainty that you have all the information you need to make your voting choices.

Manifest overcomes these problems by providing users with all the documentation necessary to make informed judgements within a matter of hours following the release of source materials.

During the 2001 season, over 99% of all meeting notices were available on-line within 24 hours of announcement. 100% were published at least 15 days prior to the proxy-voting deadline in the case of AGMs. This means that your voting policy can be managed promptly and effectively based on the most up to date material.

Easy to Use

The format of Annual Reports is often inconsistent making it difficult to locate the information you need and make valid comparisons.
On the other hand, the layout of Manifest’s report has been designed to help readers focus directly on the key issues. This means that you will be able to form a view quickly and easily and meet the pressure of deadlines with time to spare.

Dialogue

Research reports are an excellent starting point for monitoring you investments but there may be times when you need a sounding board for ideas or questions. Perhaps you want to make a sector or peer group comparison and are not sure where to start? Our analysts are just a call away. Alternatively, you may prefer to send an e-mail with a more detailed question. Whichever is your preferred route you will find a helpful and knowledge team ready and able to give you the advice you need.

Quality Driven

The sheer volume of raw data combined with the complexity of proxy voting issues requires a unique blend of careful data processing, leading edge computer systems as well as detailed knowledge of governance issues. This combination of skills and knowledge is a speciality that Manifest has made its own since its inception in December 1995. To demonstrate our commitment to providing the right service to meet your needs, Manifest has an externally audited ISO9001 Quality Management System that requires clear procedures and documentation for every stage of service design and delivery.

The benefits to our customers are considerable – clearly defined responsibilities and procedures ensuring high service levels; customer-focused development delivering quantifiable savings of time, effort, opportunity and development costs. You also have the added comfort of knowing that we are committed to providing a service, which meets your needs to implement and monitor your governance policy.

The Research Service – Key Features

Forthcoming Events: Published weekly, this report is calendar of events for all known company meetings detailing company name, meeting type, time and date, proxy voting deadline and publication date of Manifest’s Research Report.

Meeting Business Reports: At the heart of the Research Service is our main company analysis. Reports are published daily and follow a consistent format covering these major themes:

Meeting Agendas

Full Resolution Narrative, Informed Commentary, Best Practice Voting Guidelines

Governance Checklist

Best Practice Compliance, Risk Controls, Auditor Independence, Board Changes

Financial Profile

Index, Sector, ISIN, Key Financial Indicators, Capital Structure, Post-balance Sheets Events, Related Party Transactions, Litigation, Acquisition/Disposals.

Board Structure

Director Profiles, Director Independence, Committee  Structure.

Remuneration Profile

Salary & Bonus, Option/LTIP Schemes, Shareholdings &     Dealings, Pensions, Policy, Service Contracts.

Stakeholder Reporting

Environment, Social Responsibility Donations: Charitable &  Political