The fact sheet is a short compilation of the key information that describes a company and its operations. It is extremely useful, both as a reference tool and as a handout to a variety of constituencies. It does not involve fancy production work; instead, it is intended to have a low production cost, and be easily updated on a regular basis.
The fact sheet usually covers four pages, and is designed to be mailed as a pamphlet. The usual contents of the four pages are as follows:
Page 1: The name of the company is presented at the top of the page, followed by “Fact Sheet” on the next line, to identify the document. Next, centered on the page, is the ticker symbol and the name of the exchange where the stock is located. Most of the first page is left blank, so the reader can clearly identify the company and its ticker symbol.
Pages 2 and 3: These two pages contain all of the key information on the fact sheet. Page 2 contains a standard set of information, while the contents of page 3 tend to be more variable. Page 2 should include these items:
- Quick Reference Header
- Company name
- Ticker symbol
- Web site location
- CEO name
- CFO name
- Business Summary Header. A one-to-three paragraph summary that states what the company does, its growth potential, and what makes it unique.
- Contact Information Header
- Headquarters address and phone number
- Investor relations name and phone number
Page 3 contains additional information about the company, which can vary based on individual circumstances. A common inclusion is a summary of recent press releases, usually using headlines and excerpts from the actual press releases. Other options include descriptions of key subsidiaries, management resumes, products, and growth strategy. All information provided should be as succinct as possible.
Page 4: The fact sheet is intended to be folded into thirds and then mailed, so the bottom third of the back page is reserved for an address label, return address, and postage. The top two thirds of the page is mostly blank, leaving room for key identifying information, such as the company name, its ticker symbol, and its web site address.
The fact sheet can be issued to a variety of entities besides the investment community. It may also be useful for presentations to customers and suppliers, as well as prospective recruits, local government officials, the media, and employees. The company CEO can use it to prepare for a variety of meetings, such as road shows and the annual meeting.