The oil industry in 2010 was rocked by a major disaster: the explosion of Deepwater Horizon drilling rig owned by BP, the British multinational oil and gas company. Millions of gallons of crude oil gushed into the Gulf of Mexico, creating widespread water pollution and considerable destruction to the ecosystem. The environmental disaster did not only result in a disastrous fall of market value and stock price, but also a fine of 20.8 billion USD.
No matter where in the world you are operating from, this case teaches that negative non-financial news, apart from hurting the bottom line, can pose a hidden risk for the long-term development of listed companies.