Winners of IR Magazine Continental Europe Awards 2006 Announced.

E.ON, ASML, ING Group and Umicore Among Investors' Favorites

ZURICH, Switzerland -- Germany's E.ON and Netherlands-based advanced technology systems manufacturer ASML faced tough competition but took the top prizes at the IR Magazine Continental Europe Awards 2006, held in Zurich at the Hotel InterContinental on October 25. The annual black-tie event, hosted by CNBC's Louisa Bojesen, celebrated excellence in investor relations as voted for by over 500 sell-side and buy-side analysts and portfolio managers.

Oliver Schmidt, investor relations officer at Allianz, garnered high praise and the award for best investor relations officer (large cap). Schmidt, as one investor said, 'has been in the business a long time and knows exactly what investors are looking for.' Similar sentiments were expressed regarding ASML's Franki D'Hoore and Rob van Vliet, both of whom were praised for their accessibility. A complete list of all the winners in each category is attached and can also be obtained via the awards web site at www.irmagazinecontinentaleurope.com.

London-based Mary Maude Research conducted the independent survey of the investment community on which the awards are based, which is collected in the Investor Perception Study, Continental Europe 2006/2007. For the past eight years, Cross Border Ltd, publisher of IR magazine and organizer of the IR Magazine Awards, has commissioned this survey of the investment community to identify those companies considered to be the leading exponents of investor relations in continental Europe. The research also encapsulates industry changes, reviews investors' requirements and investigates contemporary developments affecting the IR profession.

The 2006 survey questioned respondents on their views on the performance of European markets and sectors over the next twelve to 18 months. Of the 150 respondents to the perception study, 43 percent said they felt optimistic about Germany's market potential. This contrasts with the second-placed country, Switzerland, which only garnered 15 optimistic responses. Among the factors cited for Germany's positive outlook was the fact that the country was well on its way to an economic recovery, with good growth prospects in part due to its high number of industrial companies with strong exports, and the new government led by Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Italy and Spain garnered the highest number of negative responses, with concerns over the economic performance of both countries in the short to mid-term.

The awards are co-sponsored by Bowne, Business Wire, Capital Precision, Chorus Call, CitySavvy, Companynews, Hugin, Kirchhoff Consult, PR Newswire, Reuters, Swiss Exchange, the Financial Times, Thomson, TON-ART and the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

Journalists requiring more details about the research in the Investor Perception Study, Continental Europe 2006/2007 and/or the winners of the IR Magazine Continental Europe Awards can contact Claire Hunte at [phone] or [e-mail]. To order a copy of the report, contact David Barrett at [phone] or [e-mail].

Note to editors:

Cross Border Ltd (formerly Cross-Border Publishing) was founded in the UK in 1993 and is the publisher in New York and London of IR magazine, the only global publication focused on the interface between companies and their investors. IR magazine hosts annual awards ceremonies in the US, the UK, continental Europe, Canada, the Nordic region, Asia, Brazil, Ireland and Australia with a combined annual attendance of around 8,000 investor relations professionals. An IR conference was launched in India in February 2006. Cross Border also publishes Corporate Secretary in North America and CorpComms in the UK. The Cross Border contract division offers publishing and event management to the financial and corporate communications sectors in Europe and the Americas. Visit www.thecrossbordergroup.com for more information.

The IR Magazine Awards are an ongoing annual series of surveys and awards conducted around the world by Cross Border. Winners of the awards are selected through independent surveys of investment professionals and retail investors. These Investor Perception Studies together make up the world's largest survey of this kind, canvassing over 5,000 portfolio managers, buy-side and sell-side analysts and retail investors in more than 14 countries and regions. Survey respondents nominate companies in specific categories and offer their opinions on various IR-related topics and trends.

IR MAGAZINE CONTINENTAL EUROPE AWARDS 2006 WINNERS

Grand prix for best overall investor relations (large cap)(1) E.ON

Grand prix for best overall investor relations (small or mid-cap)(1) ASML

Best investor relations officer (large cap)(1) Allianz - Oliver Schmidt

Best investor relations officer (small or mid-cap)(1) ASML - Franki D'Hoore & Rob van Vliet

Best investor relations by a CEO (large cap)(1) ING Group - Michel Tilmant

Best investor relations by a CEO (small or mid-cap)(1) Umicore - Thomas Leysen

Most improved investor relations (large cap)(1) Endesa

Most improved investor relations (small or mid-cap)(1) ASML

Best corporate literature RWE 

Best investment community meetings F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

Best use of the internet for investor relations BASF AG

Best use of virtual conferencing SAP

Best corporate governance and disclosure policy Royal Philips Electronics

Best financial media relations UBS 

Best investor relations during a takeover or merger E.ON (offer for Endesa in February 2006 - ongoing)

(1) The large cap category covers companies included in the top 250 of the FT Global 500, published in June but based on data from March 31, 2006. The small or mid-cap category covers companies outside the top 250.