Australia's Companies Trailing In Web Usage, Survey Says

Australia's public companies trail companies on other international equity markets in terms of Web presence, according to a new online report. The inaugural Internet Survey of Australian Listed Companies and Trusts released Nov. 15 reveals 61% of Australian Stock Exchange-listed (ASX) companies have a Web site. The survey, covering all 1,208 listed entities on the ASX, was conducted by Internet research firm Harvest The Net and Sydney-based investor relations advisory firm, Computershare Analytics Pty Ltd. According to the survey, 70% of companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and 86% of companies on the New York and Nasdaq exchanges have Web sites. Companies that make-up the ASX's benchmark All Ordinaries index faired better, with 82% having a Web site. Companies in the banking and diversified resources sectors had the highest incidence of Web sites. Only 59% of entities with a Web site post their company announcements, while only 48% post their annual report. The survey also reviewed the 1999 reporting season and found the majority of entities with Web sites were not using their Web sites effectively to communicate those results to investors.