SWISS EXCHANGE LAUNCHES WEB TOOL FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING 

Posted August 28, 2008 

ZURICH -- The SWX Swiss Exchange has added a reporting tool to its website to address possible breaches of financial reporting regulations by issuers, intended to simplify communications with market stakeholders and improve the quality and transparency of financial reporting by the exchange’s issuers. 

The dedicated new web-based platform includes a contact form requiring certain information from the person reporting a possible breach, and on the facts of the case. The SWX Swiss Exchange plans to immediately review information submitted through the online reporting platform, and examine in more detail those submissions where it sees significant grounds to suspect lack of compliance in financial reporting. These preliminary investigations can be followed by opening an investigation of the issuer in question. 

The platform is part of an effort by the exchange to strengthen investor confidence. Its enforcement activities focus on issuers’ annual and semi-annual financial statements, and it can apply a range of sanctions in case of material breaches of reporting regulations. Third-party information can assist the SWX to conduct surveillance and enforcement more efficiently and effectively.