Reprimand against PubliGroupe

The Swiss Stock Exchange SWX has issued a "reprimand with publication" against PubliGroupe because the company "negligently" breached its duty to provide immediate information on facts relevant to the share price. PubliGroupe did not report a massive drop in profits in the first half of 2001 until September 4, 2001, although the Board of Directors had discussed the definitive figures on August 28. By waiting until September 4, PubliGroupe had therefore violated the listing regulations.Jean-Denis Briod, Head of Information at PubliGroupe, said on request that his company had acted in good faith at the time. He said he was pleased that the stock exchange had recognized this by claiming negligence (mk).