Deutsche Börse opens Entry and General Standard Conference

Around 90 companies and over 800 participants expected

Deutsche Börse opened the Entry and General Standard Conference in Frankfurt on Monday. The capital market conference provides a platform for around 90 companies, predominantly SMEs, to enter into dialog with investors and analysts. Over 800 participants are expected and the event is considered Germany’s largest and most successful small-cap conference.

Companies will present the figures from their annual financial statements and their business models at investor and analyst conferences. Workshops will cover a wide range of current issues. There will be a particular sector focus this year on the already-established agricultural forum and the nanotechnology forum.

“The economic growth in Germany is reflected in the situation on the capital markets. Exchange turnover in the first quarter was good, particularly in the equity market, and the number of IPOs has so far been very respectable,” said Frank Gerstenschläger, member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Börse AG and responsible for the Xetra business area. “I am particularly delighted that this year’s conference has also attracted attention from outside Germany. We are welcoming companies from Switzerland, Austria, China, Russia and Sweden, among other countries.”

Many SMEs use the Entry Standard as the gateway to the capital market because it offers simple and cost-effective access to the European capital market. 132 companies are currently listed on the Entry Standard. Deutsche Börse expanded the Entry Standard in spring this year to include corporate bonds. As a segment of the EU-regulated market, the General Standard is used predominantly by companies targeting domestic private and institutional investors. 282 companies are currently listed in this segment.

The Entry and General Standard Conference will take place from 2–4 May 2011 in Frankfurt.