Investor Relations and Financial Communication
Creating Value Through Trust and Understanding

Equips students and professionals with the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to succeed in investor relations and financial communication 

Investor Relations and Financial Communication is a comprehensive, up-to-date introduction to the investor relations and financial communication profession. Written by a leading educator and professional consultant, this authoritative textbook provides the well-rounded foundation necessary for anyone wanting to begin a career as an Investor Relations Officer (IRO). Detailed yet accessible chapters describe all essential aspects of the field, including communication skills, basic financial knowledge, legal and regulatory guidelines, professional standards and practices, and more. 

Organized in five sections, the book first identifies and defines the jobs available in investor relations and financial communication, detailing the responsibilities, titles, salaries, and key players in the industry. After thoroughly explaining the disclosure of financial and non-financial information, the author describes the regulatory environment in which professionals operate and offers expert insight into issues of corporate governance, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, shareholder activism, and crisis management. Subsequent sections highlight the day-to-day activities of investor relations and financial communication professionals and discuss the future of the field. This invaluable textbook also: 

• Describes the responsibilities of the Investor Relations Officer throughout initial public offering, periodic reporting, and performance evaluation  
• Discusses the role of investor relations professionals in disclosing financial information and educating the investment community 
• Emphasizes the various skills that IROs must possess in order to do their jobs successfully, such as marketing and securities law compliance  
• Includes end-of-chapter review questions, activities, and lists of key terms 

Investor Relations and Financial Communication: Creating Value Through Trust and Understanding is the perfect textbook for both professional development training programs and undergraduate and graduate courses in investor relations, and is required reading for all those working in investor relations, particularly early-career professionals.  

Part I Profession 1

1 Introduction to Investor Relations and Financial Communication 3

2 Investor Relations and Financial Communication Industry 24

3 Stockholders and Stakeholders 39

Part II Disclosure 61

4 Communicating Financial Information 63

5 Communicating Nonfinancial Information 81

Part III Context 93

6 Legal and Regulatory Environment of Investor Relations and Financial Communication 95

7 Corporate Governance, Environmental Sustainability, and Social Responsibility 107

8 Shareholder Activism and Crisis Management 121

Part IV Work 133

9 Main Activities and Publications in Investor Relations and Financial Communication 135

10 Going Public and Going Private 155

11 Measurement and Evaluation of Investor Relations and Financial Communication 169

Part V Transformation 179

12 Globalization of the Financial Markets and Regional Distinctions 181

13 The Future of Investor Relations and Financial Communication 189

Bibliography 200

Index 211

Alexander V. Laskin, PhD, is Professor at Quinnipiac University, Connecticut, USA. He is author of more than 70 publications, focused primarily on investor relations, international communications, emerging technologies, and performance evaluation. His research was recognized with awards from the Association for Business Communication and the Institute for Public Relations. He is a Fulbright Specialist, Page Legacy Scholar, Albert Schweitzer Fellow, Plank Center Fellow, and the People's United Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Innovation Faculty Fellow.