This disclosure policy, approved by Stockmann’s Board of Directors, describes the main principles in accordance with which Stockmann, as a listed company, communicates with the capital markets and other stakeholders.
In its disclosure policy, Stockmann complies with Finnish law, the Financial Supervisory Authority’s standards and instructions, and the rules of NASDAQ OMX Helsinki.
The purpose of Stockmann’s disclosure policy is to ensure that in order for market actors to be able to establish the price of the Stockmann share, sufficient and accurate information on Stockmann plc and the Stockmann Group is available to them at the same time. The disclosure policy also ensures that publishable information is provided promptly and impartially.
The company’s CEO is responsible for the implementation of the disclosure policy. The other members of the Management Committee participate where their area of responsibility is concerned. Stockmann’s Corporate Communications Department, which assists the CEO, is the practical implementor, especially with respect to written information.
Stockmann publishes information on the financial situation in accordance with a timetable that is notified in advance. The publication dates for the upcoming financial period are published before the end of the previous financial period. Information on the financial situation, future outlook, profit performance and other similar matters is provided primarily in interim reports and financial statement bulletins. Forecasts regarding future outlooks are expressed in words. If any information concerning these matters that may have a substantial effect on the value of Stockmann’s share is given between the publishing of these quarterly reviews, this information is always published in a stock exchange release. The Group’s sales figures are published monthly in a stock exchange release.
Financial data are published on the parent company, the Group as a whole and its segments. The segments are the Department Store Division, Lindex and Seppälä. The Group’s market areas are Finland, Sweden and Norway, the Baltic countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and Russia and Ukraine.
Stockmann’s stock exchange releases are signed by the company’s CEO. If necessary, the releases also indicate who can provide further information on the matter at hand.
Stockmann’s stock exchange releases are always published in Finnish, Swedish and English. All the investor information published on the company’s website is published in Finnish, Swedish and English. The company’s annual report is published in corresponding Finnish, Swedish and English editions.
Stockmann does not comment on rumours circulating on the markets, share price performance, the actions of competitors or customers, or analysts’ forecasts, unless this is necessary in order to rectify information that is obviously incorrect. If, however, information that has a substantial impact on Stockmann’s share price is prematurely leaked to the public, the company will publish a stock exchange release on the matter.
In its website and annual report, Stockmann publishes a list of the analysts that, according to the information received by the company, monitor Stockmann’s performance on their own initiative. Stockmann does not publish or distribute assessments regarding the company made by outsiders, such as reviews, consensus reports or newspaper articles.
Stockmann aims to promptly respond to questions from investors, analysts and the media.
Stockmann arranges a press and analyst conference in Finnish and a telephone conference for investors and analysts in English in connection with the publication of its interim reports and financial statement bulletins.
Members of Stockmann’s management meet representatives of the capital markets and the media. The aim of these meetings is to provide background information on Stockmann and its operating environment. The discussions are based on information either published previously by Stockmann or that is widely available on the market, and no new information that might affect the value of the company’s share is disclosed.
Information on the company’s public insiders that is updated monthly is published on the Stockmann website. The information is kept up-to-date by the Financial Supervisory Authority, and the information is supplied to the website by Euroland com AB. In addition to the public insider register, Stockmann maintains a company-specific insider register. In accordance with a decision made by Stockmann’s Board of Directors, the restriction on trading in the company’s shares by insiders is 14 days before the publication of the interim report or the financial statements.
However, Stockmann has not deemed it necessary to specify a period preceding the publication of earnings information during which time the company will not comment on its sales or earnings performance.
Stockmann uses bulletins, financial reports, its websites, and meetings and events as channels of communication. Stockmann’s stock exchange releases are distributed by the NASDAQ OMX release distribution service.
Stockmann plc’s stock exchange releases and press releases are also published on the company’s website at the time of publishing. Announcements and releases dating back to 2002 are available on the company’s website. The releases are stored in a national release archive maintained by NASDAQ OMX.
The owner and share information published on Stockmann’s website is produced by Euroclear Finland Ltd. Euroland com AB is responsible for the hosting and maintenance.
A crisis is an unexpected, extraordinary event that seriously jeopardises Stockmann’s operations, the fulfilment of its customer promise, or its shareholder value or reputation. Crisis communications is a part of the company’s risk management, and its objective is to ensure that the necessary communications measures can be implemented quickly and efficiently in such crisis situations.
Approved by Stockmann’s Board of Directors on 17
December 2009
Stockmann plc
P. O. Box 220
00101 Helsinki
Phone: +358 9 1211
Corporate Communications
Stockmann plc
P.O.Box 70
00621 Helsinki, Finland
Phone: +358 9 121 51