What is the Language Intelligence Score (LIS)?

The LIS is a 0-100 composite score measuring 7 dimensions of Chair/CEO AGM speeches: sentiment (15%), conviction (20%), uncertainty (10%), forward-looking language (15%), readability (10%), topic diversity (10%), and transparency (20%). Higher scores indicate clearer, more confident, and more transparent communication.

How is the LIS calculated?

We analyze the full text of Chair and CEO addresses from NZX AGM documents using NLP. Each of 7 dimensions is scored independently and then weighted to produce the composite LIS. Sentiment ranges from -1 to +1, conviction and transparency from 0 to 1, and readability uses a Flesch-Kincaid-style grade level.

Which NZX companies have the best Language Intelligence Scores?

Seeka Limited (79), South Port New Zealand Limited (78), Black Pearl Group Limited (78) are among the top-scored companies for AGM communication quality.

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AGM Language Intelligence

How NZX leaders communicate: sentiment, conviction, transparency, and forward-looking language analyzed

1005

Speeches Analyzed

109

Companies

Average LIS

Excellent Rated

Years Covered

LIS Rating Distribution

Excellent (75+)

213

Good (55-74)

Fair (40-54)

Needs Improvement (<40)

Language Intelligence Leaderboard (279)

NZX companies ranked by their latest Language Intelligence Score

#	Company	Speaker	Year	LIS	Rating	Sentiment	Conviction	Transparency	YoY
1	SEK Seeka Limited	CEO Michael Franks	FY2025	79	Excellent	0.72	0.81	0.85

Average LIS by Sector

Information Technology

73(18 co.)

Industrials

71(50 co.)

Utilities

71(25 co.)

Consumer Staples

71(31 co.)

Healthcare

70(29 co.)

Energy

70(2 co.)

Consumer Discretionary

Most Forward-Looking Leaders (10)

Companies whose leaders spend the highest proportion of their speech discussing future plans

#	Company	Speaker	Year	Forward %	Count	LIS
1	MCY Mercury NZ Limited	General Manager, Generation	FY2023	45%	9	75
2	RBD Restaurant Brands New Zealand Limited	CEO

Most Transparent Leaders (10)

Leaders who cite specific numbers, acknowledge challenges, and provide forward guidance

#	Company	Speaker	Year	Transparency	Sentiment	LIS
1	SPK Spark New Zealand Limited	CEO	FY2022	88%	0.72	78
2	PYS PaySauce Limited	Chief Financial Officer	FY2021	88%	0.62

Biggest Year-over-Year Improvers (10)

Companies with the largest positive change in LIS from the previous year

#	Company	Speaker	Year	YoY Change	Current LIS	Rating
1	SKL Skellerup Holdings Limited	CEO	FY2025	+53	76	Excellent
2	OCA Oceania Healthcare Limited	Chair	FY2025	+53

Methodology

Language Intelligence Score (LIS)

The LIS is a composite score (0-100) measuring 7 dimensions of executive communication quality at AGMs:

20%

Transparency

Specific numbers cited, challenges acknowledged, forward guidance

20%

Conviction

Definitive statements vs hedging language

15%

Sentiment

Overall tone and positivity

15%

Forward-Looking

Future-oriented statements and strategic guidance

10%

Readability

Clarity and accessibility of language (Flesch-Kincaid)

10%

Topic Diversity

Breadth of business topics discussed

10%

Low Uncertainty

Absence of uncertain or hedging language

Rating Tiers

Excellent (75+): Clear, confident, transparent communication
Good (55-74): Generally strong communication with minor gaps
Fair (40-54): Mixed signals or moderate hedging

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Data sourced from NZX company announcements. Our datasets may not be complete. Automated analysis can produce errors. If you believe any data on this page is incorrect, please contact us at hello@nzxplorer.co.nz.

For informational purposes only. Not investment advice.