Study shows value of line into management.

Open lines of communication and access to executives at public companies rank as top priorities by institutional investors and equity analysts, according to an investor relations management study.

The research, by institutional financial services consultancy Greenwich Associates, sought the opinions of 538 portfolio managers and analysts and found them placing more emphasis on the level and quality of overall corporate communications, including financial guidance statements.

“Companies should also understand that analysts see the credibility and accessibility of their CEO and CFO as increasingly important,” said Greenwich Associates’ Kevin Kozlowski.

The study was based on research conducted between December and February, and asked analysts and portfolio manages to assess 12 qualitative factors about each company, including the capability and credibility of senior management, the quality of written reports, the transparency of accounting information and the quality of investor meetings.