The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a consultation on proposals to create a new category within its premium listing regime to cater for companies controlled by a shareholder that is a sovereign country. Last February the FCA launched a discussion paper ‘Review of the Effectiveness of Primary Markets’. The paper examined the role of […]
Read MoreThe independent shareholders of Alphabet, Google’s parent company, overwhelmingly supported a shareholder resolution asking company management to recapitalise the share structure so that each share has one vote at its recent AGM (7th June). The resolution was put forward by NorthStar Asset Management, corporate governance activist and author James McRitchie, and activist investor John Chevedden […]
Read MoreUK pension fund, Universities Superannuation Scheme, (USS) has called on the Dutch paintmaker AkzoNobel to engage constructively with its US rival PPG which has recently submitted a third bid for the company, AkzoNobel said it will consider the proposal in line with its fiduciary duties and acting under the Dutch governance code. Daniel Summerfield, Co-Head of Responsible […]
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The EU’s council of permanent representatives has endorsed an agreement between the Slovakia, which holds the presidency of the European Council, and the European Parliament that agrees revisions to the second Shareholder Rights Directive. Lucia Žitňanská, Minister for Justice of Slovakia said: “The financial crisis revealed that in many cases shareholders supported excessive short-term risk-taking by managers. […]
Read MoreRetailer Sports Direct chief executive Dave Forsey has resigned to be replaced by Mike Ashley, founder of the company, its major shareholder and previously executive deputy chairman. No reason for his departure has been given but the resignation follows months of criticism of the company because of its working practices and poor corporate governance. Dave Forsey […]
Read MoreThe US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ruled that oil giants, ExxonMobil and Chevron, need to include shareholder proposals at their AGMs requesting information on the impact on their businesses of the policies on reducing carbon emissions and responding to global warming. Both companies had sought permission to block a shareholder vote on the proposals […]
Read MoreThe Investment Association (IA) has published an industry-wide Productivity Action Plan which it believes will boost the UK economy through long-term investment, helping to reverse the UK’s productivity problem. The action plan aims to encourage the provision of more long-term finance for companies and enhance investor stewardship. The proposals were developed by a steering committee made up of […]
Read MoreAustralian human rights campaigners are warning investors of the risks Spanish multinational infrastructure operator, Ferrovial, could face if its takeover bid of Australian firm Broadspectrum is approved. This company is the Australian government’s lead contractor in the operation of its controversial offshore detention centres (ODCs) in Nauru and Papua New Guinea. A report has been produced for investors, financiers, clients […]
Read MoreThe chairman and chief executive of investment giant, BlackRock, Larry Fink has written to the chief executives of major companies in the US and Europe encouraging them to think long-term and to provide their shareholders with more forward-looking plans. Fink wrote a similar letter last year, suggesting that companies have yet to take enough notice of […]
Read MoreThe European Commission is consulting on on how institutional investors, asset managers and other service providers in the investment chain factor in sustainability (ESG) information and performance of companies or assets into investment decisions. The consultation will also gather information about possible obstacles to long-term, sustainable investment. The Commission believes that growing the European Union’s economy needs to […]
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