MMC Norilsk Nickel has taken top place in ratings for corporate governance standards among metallurgical companies, which have been conducted according to industrial sector for the first time by the Prime-TASS agency.

In order to conduct the corporate governance ratings, the eleven leading companies in terms of market capitalization, volume of trade on Russian trading floors and main financial indicators were selected. Norilsk Nickel was awarded maximum points in a variety of categories, including financial transparency and availability of information, the structure of its share capital and share market, the rights of shareholders and levels of corporate governance, and for the work of its Board of Directors and the management of the company.

As the organizers of the ratings for the metallurgical sector have observed, the ratings were conducted in response to the growing interest shown by the stock market in the area of corporate governance of Russian companies. Prime-TASS makes the point that reliable companies applying good standards of corporate governance prove attractive both to those who seek to invest in their shares and to those engaged in finance and lending.

As Sergey Polikarpov, the head of MMC Norilsk Nickel’s department responsible for shareholder relations says, “Norilsk Nickel has often given voice to its determination to improve its standards of corporate governance to meet those of the leading international mining and metallurgical companies. This acknowledgement of Norilsk Nickel’s achievements in the area of corporate governance in Russia serves as confirmation that the company is succeeding in following its chosen path.”