Global Presence
2008 was a year of significant global expansion for Interactive Data. The Company generated strong organic revenue growth globally amid robust demand for its independent fixed income evaluations, comprehensive reference data services, low latency datafeed services and managed solutions. In addition to this success, Interactive Data also completed two strategic acquisitions that provide the Company with a more substantial direct presence in two important regional markets: Italy and Japan.
In August 2008, Interactive Data acquired Kler’s Financial Information Service S.r.l., a leading provider of reference data on Italian securities to the Italian financial community. The reference data content from Kler’s on Italian equities, listed and unlisted Italian bonds, funds, simple derivatives and warrants complements the reference data content that Interactive Data already collects, processes and delivers to thousands of financial institutions and redistribution partners around the world. For customers in Italy, the addition of Interactive Data’s rich global content will further strengthen Kler’s existing offerings, and create opportunities for Interactive Data to develop evaluated pricing for Italian unlisted bonds.
In December 2008, Interactive Data acquired a majority interest in its Japanese redistribution partner, Tokyo-based NTT DATA Financial Corporation (NDF). NDF’s services are widely used in Japan by banks, asset and funds management companies, insurance companies, custody banks, trust banks and securities firms. Renamed as Interactive Data Japan, the combination of NDF’s knowledge of the Japanese market and Interactive Data’s experience in delivering information for millions of global securities every day and robust technology infrastructure creates an opportunity for Interactive Data to directly provide financial institutions in Japan with an even broader range of financial data and services.
Going forward, Interactive Data plans to continue growing its business globally across continental Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific by pursuing strategic acquisitions and realigning existing resources with agility and decisiveness to further scale its presence in markets with high-growth potential.