Decreasing yield European high tech industry

AME TOPSCORERS 2000 delivers reports, analyses, profiles and a sharp report mark over three years of 150 European Information & Communication Technology and Internet companies. Half of these companies are Dutch. The companies generate annual revenue of € 458 billion and they have 2.6 million employees.

R&D falls short
The European high tech industry is not yet capable to translate the strongly increased company assets in 1999 in sufficient further revenue and profit growth, according to the results of the research. In particular the revenue growth of old and new telecommunications companies and recently funded and listed Internet companies falls short compared to the vast amount of assets they gathered. This pressures yield and profitability down and weakened the investment power. This development requires a longer investment horizon of investors. The expenditures on research and development as a percentage of revenues increased, but they are insufficient to build more innovative competitive power compared to North American companies.

Multiple benchmark capabilities
Users can compare companies based on a large number of financial data and ratios including information on R&D, employment, salaries and social contributions, remuneration of board members and the composition of the boards. Every company is profiled and given prospects and the AME Research Rating.

Sharp report mark per company
Two of the 150 companies are assigned an Excellent report mark based on the AME RATING 2000. Cap Gemini NV is the best closely followed by CMG PLC. Their financial performance, business culture and stable continuity are an example for the European professional services industry. Logica BV,The Dutch daughter of the British Logica concern takes the third place, followed by ICT Automatisering NV and SAP AG. Twenty seven companies were assigned a "Very Good" rating, including Dassault Systemes, UNIT 4, Equant, Infinion and Ordina.

Over 18 percent of the companies is assigned an insufficient, weak or very weak report mark. Those companies should take strong measures to improve their performance. Baan Company closed the ranks, followed by a weak performance already in the year before. The report mark as a challenge to improve is one of the major features of the report.

Users
The management of ICT and Internet companies, venture capitalists, and institutional and private investors uses the report. It is a useful tool for large corporations to benchmark suppliers on continuity and financial performance.

Availability and systems requirements
The report AME TOPSCORERS is delivered as a digital PDF file on CD-ROM and can be used on Intranet. It is also available as a luxurious 250 page printed report. See www.ame.nl for detailed additional information.

About AME Research BV
AME Research BV, the European financial ICT research company, is specialized in analyzing and communicating high level business Information concerning the Information- and Communication Technology (ICT) industry for managers of ICT companies and the financial and investment world.

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