Beginning this week, all foreign firms with more with market capitalizations of more than $75 mil listing on U.S. exchangess must abide by the terms of Sarbanes Oxley and the attendant reporting requirements. And the companies, much like their U.S. counterparts are overjoyed:

...many European firms are chafing at the new requirements, and 17% would consider delisting to escape the law, according to a survey by Mazars, a Paris-based auditing firm. Only 43% of European companies think the law's benefits will outweigh its costs.

Latin American and Asian firms are more receptive. More than 72% of Asian respondents and 81% of Latin Americans think the benefits will exceed the cost, and none would consider delisting...

Via Forbes.

For a more, continental, perspective check out this article from the Times Online, which laments the closing of one of the last great business frontiers (If you know your U.S. history, think free-range cattle versus ranchers with Sarbox as the bob-wire.

-- MDT