ALI is RP’s best in financial management, Asia poll shows

Real estate leader Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) emerged as the best managed financially among the Philippines’ top corporations in an annual survey conducted by Asiamoney magazine.

Apart from being number one in the Best Financial Management category, ALI landed fifth in the list of top 10 overall best managed companies in the country. The list also included Ayala Corp. and Bank of Philippine Islands.

The property developer figured prominently in other categories. It was second best in investor relations and second best in communications with investors and shareholders. It also landed fourth best n corporate strategy and fifth best in access to senior management.

Expressing satisfaction over the poll results, ALI president Francisco H. Licuanan III said that being chosen as the best Philippine company in financial management reaffirmed one of the company’s long-standing corporate values-financial prudence.

"In the face of a difficult business environment, it is heartening to know that our company’s focus on adapting to market changes and improving shareholder value are recognized. This knowledge gives Ayala Land the confidence to continue building on the public trust it has earned over the years," he said.

ALI’s unaudited financial results for 2002 showed the company ending the year with a net income of P2.52 billion (10 percent higher than the 2001 level) and consolidated revenues of P12.23 billion (five percent up year-on-year).

In describing the top Asian companies in its 11th annual poll, Hong Kong-based Asiamoney said "what brings them together is their prudence, intelligence of strategy, operational efficiency and the ability to impress investors with more than a temporary hike in the share price."

The poll was faxed to nearly 3,000 fund managers, chief investment officers and heads of research in the Asia-Pacific region (including Australia and Japan), Europe and North America. At least 245 from 187 institutions responded. They were asked to name three companies in their country in several categories that included, among others, best corporate strategy, best financial management, best operational efficiency.