UK steps closer to SRD II adoption

Proxy vote confirmations one step closer as UK publishes SRDII implementation plans

The UK government has published the full text of its planned Shareholder Rights Directive (SRD II) legislation as it moves closer to bringing the new rules into law. 

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SEC Commissioner Elad Roisman

SEC commissioner Elad Roisman, one of the four leading officials at the US regulator, has called for ESG labelling from fund groups to be made clearer. 

However, at the same time Roisman is wary about more “prescriptive” ESG disclosure requirements being introduced for …

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Proxy firms targeted in Canadian regulatory overhaul

Canada proposes proxy system overhaul

The role of proxy advisory firms and proxy plumbing in Canada could be set for a fundamental overhaul, following the publication of findings by the Capital Markets Modernisation Taskforce (CMMT). 

In a wide-ranging remit, the taskforce has made

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Senators demand breathing space for US investors on ESG restriction

Investors could get more time to pore over a controversial new Department of Labor (DOL) rule that could have severe negative implications for US ESG investing, after two Democratic lawmakers have stepped in.

As it stands, the public have just …

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EU Flags in front of the European Commission

The European Commission has officially mandated the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) to provide recommendations for updating non-financial reporting standards.

In an open letter, European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis issued a request for technical advice to EFRAG …

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US business lobbies press for laws on boardroom diversity

Greek companies will soon be mandated to meet a 25% female quota on their boards following a landmark decision for gender diversity.

The quota requirement has been included as an amendment to the bill transposing the EU Shareholder Rights Directive …

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Novartis pays $347m to settle bribery claims

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis, a current and former subsidiary, has agreed to pay a total of $346.7m to reach settlements with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) following investigations into bribery schemes.

The DOJ …

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Governance takes centre stage in US/China face-off

Governance takes centre stage in US/China face-off

As relations between the two super-powers becomes increasingly strained, the Chinese financial regulator has confirmed the country’s commitment to improving corporate governance amid the fallout of the US-listed Luckin Coffee scandal.

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French regulator demands broader scope for non-financial reporting

French regulator demands broader scope for non-financial reporting

The French securities regulator, AMF, has asked the European Commission to make all companies, irrespective of size, disclose harmonised ESG data under the EU Non-Financial Reporting Directive.

The Autorité des marchés financiers …

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SEC lambasted over shareholder rights change as companies fail to meet ESG targets

Investors ask SEC to intervene on Covid disclosures

A group of investors have called on the Securities and Exchange Commission to force companies to disclose how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected their business operations.

Representatives from 98 asset owners, fund …

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