ESG reputation, companies more aware of their prestige on social media

'Extremely important'. This is the answer given by 37 companies in Piazza Affari to the question on monitoring and preventing reputational risks, in particular those related to Esg misbehaviour on social media. This is the large patrol of companies most aware, listed in Milan, of the key role of online reputation. An element that can make a company's fortune as well as quickly throw it into the abyss.

Underlining the increased awareness of online reputation risks is the study by the University of Milan-Bicocca where the results of the Plus24-Bicocca Piazza Affari ESG Observatory were processed and published. "Companies attach great importance to monitoring and preventing reputational risks related to misbehaviour or ESG issues that may emerge on social media," reads the study.

A total of 122 companies participated in the Piazza Affari ESG Observatory (see Plus24 of 20 December) and it relates to 2024 financial statements; the questionnaire was not sent to companies in the Ftse-Mib. There are actually 39 companies, but Metrics.AI and Haiki+ were not included in this analysis because they do not currently have a twelve-month stock market performance.

Seventy per cent of the companies in the table above have positive one-year results (26 out of 37 companies): it should be emphasised, however, that there is no causal link or correlation between attention to online reputation and stock market performance. This is only a snapshot of the situation to date. It is clear, on the other hand, that strengthening certain risk safeguards helps to contain possible crisis situations.

It is difficult, however, to escape the curiosity of the first in the ranking, Impianti, which even posted a three-figure performance over the year (+247%). It is a company based in Carate Brianza, in the province of Monza, which used to focus particularly on the information technology sector and has recently expanded into the drone sector. In 2025, it launched the 'Drone4Italy' brand, focused precisely on advanced aerial mobility technologies and drones. An activity that has certainly given the Egm-listed company a boost.