Proxy Voting 2007
A Pan-European Perspective

November 2007

In Association With

Introduction

This is Manifest's 10th proxy poll survey and our second to incorporate pan-European data.

This comprehensive and detailed survey of shareholder voting trends covers the national blue-chip indices in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland as well as the UK indices. For the first time, we have teamed up with Georgeson, the world’s leading proxy solicitation firm, in the production of this wide-ranging research. With the rise of engaged and informed share voting, effective communication between issuers and their shareholders has never been more important.

“This report helpfully brings into focus some of the structural challenges to constructive engagement between boards and their shareholders.
Sir Christopher Hogg
Chairman,
Financial Reporting Council & Board”

Purchasing
Details

Manifest's Proxy Voting Review 2007 is available in paper and electronic form (Adobe PDF):

For payment via credit card use the 'Buy Now' button.

To order your copy with payment by invoice either:

Email sales@manifest.co.uk or

Call + 44 (0)1376 503500.

Early subscribers will qualify to receive a free copy of Georgeson's review of the US season.

Paper version

75 page staple-bound report

£295

(VAT-free)

Electronic - Single User

In Adobe PDF format. For single user only - printing disabled, no physical or electronic distribution rights.

£295

(+VAT)

Electronic - Site License

Identical in content to the Single User version, but with the ability to print and the right to distribute copies within your organization.

£400

(+VAT)

Report Details

Readers who have an interest in understanding comparative levels of turnout and the reasons for them, or who are the major players as shareholders in European markets should obtain this report as a priority. Shareholder turnout levels are identified, with anecdotal explanations of specific cases of high and low turnout. The report identifies trends in controversial meeting issues, then explains them against a backdrop of regulatory updates relating to the holding of shareholder meetings and company law. Analysis of levels of foreign ownership and an introduction as to who are often major investors in each market puts into context further commentary on the influence of proxy advisors in meeting business.

The report reveals patterns in dissent against different types of resolutions, placed in the context of patterns of meeting business in each country - a valuable introduction to local markets for foreign investors and corporate advisors alike. The report takes both a pan-European and national perspective, in order to identify the dynamics of engaged, responsible ownership and voting across borders, as well as identifying the most contentious types of meeting business of the 2007 UK and European season at the national level, complete with analysis of the actual resolutions themselves as well as their poll results, the case of some of the most contentious resolutions of the season.

In addition, the practical challenges of voting are explored both from an investor and an issuer perspective, following on from Manifest's detailed report on the challenges of cross-border voting earlier this year. The report is therefore required reading for institutional investors, advisors, issuers and academics alike, who place value in understanding the nature and quality of voting on meeting business across corporate UK & Europe.