ORLEN Recognised by Analysts and Asset Managers

PKN ORLEN was chosen winner of the ranking reflecting the quality of information policy and compliance with corporate governance standards, which covered 60 companies whose stocks accounted for the largest share of trading on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in 2010, including an ever wider group of foreign names listed on the Warsaw market.

An overwhelming majority (94%) of the respondents expressed the opinion that compliance with corporate governance standards and good investor communication may have a bearing on a company’s valuation, with 55% of the respondents (compared with 48% a year earlier) thinking that adherence to high standards in that area may boost a company’s valuation by as much as over 10%.

- Amid the turbulence and uncertainties prevailing on the capital markets, the fact that we have gained the recognition and enjoy the continuing good opinion of experts for the quality of our relations with the outside world is invaluable. The distinction proves that we enjoy the confidence of investors, who have appreciated the implementation of our corporate strategy and future plans announced by the Management Board. They have also noted our robust financial and operating performance, achieved amid a weak macro environment. PKN ORLEN’s win in the ranking for the previous year confirms our conviction that it pays off to develop novel, original solutions benefiting the Company, such as temporary sale of mandatory stocks - said Jacek Krawiec, President of the Management Board of PKN ORLEN.

Among the key criteria against which the investor relations of listed companies are assessed, the most important ones include communication in crisis situations and periods of downturn, followed by extended comments in the financial statements and ability to ensure equal access to information.

Conducted by NBS since 2003, WarsawScan is a survey aimed to assess the quality of investor relations amongst companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. In the opinion of its organisers, the survey is a valuable gauge providing an insight into investor expectations regarding the communication and information necessary to assess a company’s investment attractiveness.

The survey was conducted by market research agency ARC Rynek i Opinia (a partner), based on the CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) method, from March 1st to March 11th 2011.

The WarsawScan 2011 survey was conducted among a total of 69 analysts and asset managers, representing Polish brokerage houses, investment and pension funds, as well as asset management institutions.

This year’s accolade for PKN ORLEN is not the Company’s first win in the WarsawScan survey. The Company was also honoured for the reliability of disclosed information, the quality of shareholder relations, compliance with corporate governance standards and the best web page dedicated to investor relations in the years 2003, 2005, 2009 and 2010.

In recent months, PKN ORLEN has won multiple awards in recognition of the quality of management, as well as exemplary investor relations and market communication. In January 2011, ORLEN once again made the grade to qualify for inclusion in the prestigious RESPECT index of listed companies. The Company met the very exacting criteria, retaining its position among the elite group of companies listed as part of the RESPECT index of the second term.

Among other noteworthy distinctions, we should also mention the prestigious Best Managed Polish Company title, awarded to PKN ORLEN last year in the Best Managed Companies in CEE 2010 ranking, organised by Euromoney, a UK financial magazine. The Company also emerged as the winner of the Investor Relations category of the “Listed Company of the Year” list compiled by the Puls Biznesu daily, and received the “Best investor relations by a Polish company 2010” title conferred by IR Magazine.

The Company was also awarded for its CSR Report “Responsible Brand” and won the laurels in the Regional Forbes CSR Awards, based on the high value of grants allocated to CSR initiatives. The Company is also a philanthropy leader and winner of a title awarded as part of the Polish Environmental Pantheon ranking.