FTSE-100 companies move onto Internet

More and more FTSE-100 companies are putting detailed financial information out on the Internet, according to a report in the monthly accounts analysis magazine Company Reporting

A survey of 30 companies which have financial information on their Internet sites found that nine reproduce their entire annual report, while two others broadcast their summary financial statement. One, BT, has both documents on the Web.

Others produce more abbreviated information, such as brief financial data or extracts from the narrative in the annual report.

Twenty-five companies that put financial data on the Internet are in the FTSE-100. But there is ‘wide variation’ in the depth and type of information provided.

Some companies publish financial data on the Internet in a format that can be downloaded into spreadsheets. Five companies also provide share price information.

The survey adds that the Internet may allow access to current management accounts and enable interactive discussions with management. But commercial and cost considerations may rule out such ‘flights of fantasy’ , as the magazine puts it, for the foreseeable future.

Corporate Financial Reporting on the Internet is available from Company Reporting at a cost of #5. Free to Company Reporting subscribers. Faxed orders can be sent on: 0131-556 0639