Reuters/FTSE classification

FTSE International and Reuters are aiming to provide a single comparative global classification of nearly 35,000 companies within the next 12 months. The two are now putting together teams to classify Reuters' database of equities using the FTSE Global Classification System but spokesmen from the two companies differ in their estimates of when the classification will be completed. Steven Vale, policy and communications manager at FTSE International, believes it could be available in as little as six months but Herbie Skeete, spokesman for Reuters, said it was unlikely to be completed unti...