Euroclear and Capital Precision transform equity shareholder identification

Capital Precision, part of global stakeholder relations firm King Worldwide, and Euroclear have today signed a co-operation agreement to centralise the provision of worldwide shareholder identification data to equity issuers in key markets. Capital Precision’s experience in obtaining comprehensive information on shareholder positions, through the application of its industry leading identification methodology, is complemented with Euroclear’s close proximity to equity issuers and their intermediaries.

Under the agreement, Euroclear will liaise with issuers seeking to identify their shareholders worldwide. Capital Precision will complement the home market shareholder record received from Euroclear or the issuer, by identifying the issuer’s shareholders from outside the issuer’s home market. Capital Precision will also perform its information analytics to provide added-value benchmark and shareholder profile information to the issuer.

The new service offering will include (depending on the market and according to issuer needs):

• domestic shareholder identification;

• foreign shareholder identification;

• shareholder groupings according to investor type and strategy, e.g. hedge funds, buy and hold, etc.; and

• detailed shareholder and peer company analysis.

The joint service offering is expected to cover equities issued in five markets where Euroclear operates as a central securities depository (CSD), namely: Belgium, Finland, France, Sweden and The Netherlands – equating to over 30% of equity market capitalisation in Europe.

Jo Van de Velde, Managing Director and Head of Product Management at Euroclear, stated: “The ultimate goal of having complete and accurate information concerning company shareholders worldwide is rapidly becoming a reality. Against the backdrop of sweeping regulatory changes aimed at strengthening corporate governance through greater shareholder transparency, in cooperation with Capital Precision, we will be able to equip issuers with greater shareholder knowledge. In-depth reporting on shareholder profiles will assist issuers in targeting a wider shareholder base, arranging investor road shows and increasing shareholder participation at annual general meetings.”

Van de Velde continued: “Certain markets already empower issuers with the right to request a breakdown of their shareholder base from any financial intermediary. However, in other markets where no such legislation exists, it is more difficult to identify the beneficial owner. The joint Euroclear/Capital Precision service will go a very long way in delivering comprehensive domestic and foreign shareholder information to issuers via a single request to Euroclear.”

Dr. Oliver Niedermaier, King Worldwide Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our partnership with Euroclear represents a real change in the capital market intelligence available to issuers in these markets. By combining Capital Precision’s proprietary shareholder identification methodology and Euroclear’s established infrastructure and issuer relationships, we are able to offer a unique service which brings a level of depth and accuracy not seen before.”