ASIC to monitor analysts briefings The corporate watchdog will monitor analysts' briefings during the upcoming reporting season after launching an investigation into Newcrest Mining's disclosure of a $6 billion writedown. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) plans to conduct spot checks with selected companies so it can hear how they brief analysts and understand their procedures. "We anticipate that companies and securities houses will be pleased to assist us in this exercise to promote market integrity," ASIC said in a statement on Monday. Over the coming weeks, ASIC will also raise awareness of the risks of selective disclosure when listed companies brief analysts about their June quarter and financial year results. "ASIC will be reminding key gatekeepers, company officers, individual analysts and their firms, of their obligations," ASIC said. However, ASIC did not provide details on how it will monitor briefings or its plans to dedicate resources to monitoring voluminous and complex reports. ASIC Commissioner Cathie Armour said the regulator's priority was to ensure fair and efficient financial markets by allowing large and small investors to have access to information equally. It comes after Newcrest's shares plunged in the days leading up to a $6 billion writedown announcement on June 7. There have been claims Newcrest tipped off some analysts about the writedowns before making an announcement to the market. Newcrest has since recruited former ASX chairman Maurice Newman to conduct an independent review of its disclosure and investor relations practices. Chief executive Greg Robinson in June said Newcrest would continue to co-operate fully with any and all information requests and queries from the regulators investigating the company's recent disclosures. Shares in the company have been trading around decade-long lows since the writedowns were announced. Newcrest shares were 64 cents, or six per cent, lower at $10.09 at 1126 AEST on Monday.