The JSE announced recently that, from October 2002, results and regulatory announcements in registered newspapers would no longer be compulsory.

Writing in the latest issue of JSE Result & Earnings, Loubser says it is not his view that major listed companies should not publish their results in the press.

"I fully expect that many of SA's larger corporations will continue to publish their results and other announcements in the major newspapers and financial journals. The change in the listing requirements is really aimed at some of the smaller JSE counters for whom the cost of media placements is a consideration," he says.

Loubser notes that JSE Results & Earnings has been well received by the investment community and already enjoys support from listed companies. "The book concentrates on the larger cap shares and those for which earnings forecasts are available," says Loubser.

JSE Results & Earnings makes earnings forecasts from top analysts widely available in print for the first time in SA.

The JSE expects Sens, the electronic Stock Exchange News Service, to play a major role in the dissemination of price sensitive information, including regulatory announcements, and is working on upgrading the system to improve the processing of the news feed by vendors.