For the third time in succession, BASF, the German-based largest chemical company in the world has received the Investor Relations award from Capital business magazine.

Around 400 analysts and fund managers rated BASF the number one among Europe's 50 largest listed companies in the Euro Stoxx 50, said a press release.

The financial experts of institutions in Germany and abroad awarded their points according to four criteria: target group orientation, transparency, continuous reporting as well as social and corporate commitment.

BASF scored its hat-trick in the "Champions League," the Euro Stoxx 50, in 2009 thanks to the credibility of its communications, also in tougher economic times.

"The really interesting thing is that although the demand for products is decreasing, the demand for information is increasing during the crisis. This is why targeted, frank, honest and transparent investor relations activities are essential, especially in a challenging business climate," emphasized Magdalena Moll, Head of ZOI, who accepted the prize at the award ceremony in Frankfurt.

Attending the ceremony via satellite link were Board members Dr. Jürgen Hambrecht, Dr. Kurt Bock and Dr. John Feldmann, who answered questions on various topics including the situation in the chemical industry.

Hambrecht emphasized that although he did not believe there would be a rapid upswing, BASF was nevertheless seizing all available opportunities to position itself more effectively during the crisis. For example, he said that it would pay off in the long term for the company to keep investing in research and development. Bock emphasized that it was not yet definite whether BASF would earn its cost of capital this year and that this continued to be a very ambitious goal.

Every year, the ZOI team organizes more than 70 events for investors and analysts to whom it provides information in more than 300 one-on-one meetings. The Investor Relations website is also an important component of BASF's communication with the capital market.