proxy access Archives

Proxy access – war war not jaw jaw

The US proxy access debate took a fresh turn recently with the attempt by seasoned governance commentator James McRitchie (www.corpgov.net) to get a shareholder proposal on the ballot at US organic food retailer Wholefoods. He submitted a proposal under which one or more shareholders owning 3% or more of outstanding shares for at least three […]

US financial reform horse trading hits investors

As elected representatives in the US enter the final stages of merging the two competing financial services reform bills, investors are becoming increasingly anxious that their key reform proposal, access to the proxy, will be rendered useless. From the outset, both the House and Senate versions of the reform bills have either supported or required the SEC […]

Pages: 1 2

US pension funds fight to keep proxy reforms on the table

CalPERS and 20 other public pension plans have written to key US lawmakers urging them to keep corporate governance provisions in the final version of a proposed financial regulations reform bill. The US House of Representatives and Senate have each passed versions of reform legislation and now must now merge the two bills. Both measures include […]

Could US shareholders accelerate proxy reforms through by-laws?

Could shareholders accelerate the pace of regulatory reform at US companies by taking matters into their own hands? Probably not says the Council of Institutional Investors and Shareowners.org. According to a new report commissioned by the leading US investor body, The Council of Institutional Investors (CII) the idea that owners could enable proxy access at implementing […]

US: Proxy access comments mount up

The SEC’s proposed rule on proxy access is garnering plenty of comments, both in favor of and against, with more than 300 comments filed on the proposal as of Aug. 18, 2009 writes ProxyGovernance’s Scott Fenn. Law professors and law firms are represented prominently among the institutions and individuals commenting. One omnibus comment letter on behalf […]

ProxyGovernance & IRRCi research study on hybrid boards

A new study prepared by Manifest’s US partner, PROXY Governance with sponsorship by the IRRC Institute, “Effectiveness of Hybrid Boards,” analyzes 120 “hybrid boards” formed from 2005 through 2008 to evaluate their effectiveness in two areas: changes in business strategy and corporate governance structures; and changes in shareholder value measured both absolutely and relative to […]

SEC Votes to Extend Shareholder Rights

Owners of USA Inc today (May 20) got the news they’ve been waiting for – the SEC has voted to propose new rules which will enable them to nominate their own board candidates. The proposal was passed in a narrow 3-2 vote reflecting party alliegances; both the Republican commissioners voted against the proposal on the basis […]