Kesko continues in Dow Jones sustainability indexes
KESKO CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE 10.09.2010 AT 13.00 1(2)
For the eighth year in succession, Kesko was selected for the Dow Jones sustainability indexes DJSI World and DJSI Europe. In the annual review 2010, Kesko gained the subsector's best scores for its environmental reporting, risk management, and the corporate code of conduct for preventing corruption and bribery.
DJSI indexes measure sustainability of the top companies in the world
The Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI) are the most recognised and oldest worldwide sustainability indexes. Companies to be included in the DJSI indexes are selected on the basis of the assessment made by the SAM Group of Switzerland. The assessment is an extensive analysis, in which each company answers some one hundred questions on economic, social and environmental responsibility.
The world's 2,600 largest companies are invited to SAM's assessment, and the best ones in each sector are included in the DJSI indexes. This year, 318 companies from 27 countries were included in DJSI World, and 157 companies from 14 countries were included in DJSI Europe. In addition to Kesko, seven other companies from Finland were included. Kesko is the only Nordic retail company in both of the indexes.
Responsibility increasingly important for investors
Responsibility plays an increasingly important part in investors' decisions. Responsible investors consider how companies take care of their economic, social and environmental responsibilities. The Principles of Responsible Investment already have over 800 signatories in more than 40 countries (www.unpri.org).
"Sustainability indexes are a reliable and neutral tool for investors and analysts. Kesko's inclusion in the major sustainability indexes is an important evidence of our responsible operations and helps investors to make decisions. It confirms that our sustainability work is successful and our operations are world class," says Arja Talma, Kesko's Senior Vice President, CFO.
Kesko included in several sustainability indexes
Kesko is included as a member of the FTSE4Good Global and FTSE4Good Europe indexes focusing on responsible investment for the second year in succession.
In the Sustainability Yearbook 2010 published by SAM, Kesko's responsibility work qualified in the Silver Class in the food and drug retail sector. Kesko was also recognised as the 'Sector Mover', a qualification given to the company that has achieved the biggest proportional improvement in its sustainability performance.
Kesko has ranked in the list of 'the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations' since 2005. In the list published in 2010 Kesko was placed 33rd.
In July 2010, Kesko was included in the OMX GES Sustainability Nordic index, which consists of the top 50 companies in the Nordic countries in terms of sustainability.
Further information:
Helena Frilander, Development Manager, Corporate Responsibility tel. +358 1053 23143
Marjut Lovio, Advisor, Corporate Responsibility tel. +358 1053 23302
www.sustainability-indexes.com
Kesko (www.kesko.fi) is a retail specialist whose stores offer quality to the daily lives of consumers. Kesko has about 2,000 stores engaged in chain operations in the Nordic and Baltic countries, Russia, and Belarus.
