“CFOs have become key contacts for the investment community, auditors, and ratings agencies, and are the day-to-day access to shareholders that directors do not have.” (Bloomberg BusinessWeek, 9/22/2009) Boards and the Expanding Role of the
Regardless of the size of your company, there is a value in understanding the general issues and perceptions of the shareholder community. You may find that your investors have beliefs and concerns that align closely with the general beliefs and concerns of all shareholders. This assumption will be especially true if you have or are looking to secure a sophisticated investor for your business.
The Annual Meeting season is off and running and the trends that were observed in 2011 and 2012 are expected to continue in the 2013 season.
So how is 2013 shaping up?
According to Proxy Monitor (www.proxymonitor.org/), a review of shareholder proposals for 170 companies, whose annual meetings are scheduled from 01.09.2013 through 05.23.2013, show three primary concerns:
- Corporate Governance (74 proposals) – This category includes such items related to the legal structure of the organization, i.e. voting rules, separation of Chairman and CEO, special meetings, written consent, proxy access… Current Events – (Wall Street Journal, 2/20/2013) Investors Seek to Split J.P. Morgan Top Posts, by Dan Fitzpatrick
- Executive Compensation (202) – This category includes items such as say-on-pay, equity compensation rules, golden parachutes…
- Social Policy (78) – Includes items which include animal rights, employment rights, sustainability…
Who is sponsoring these shareholder proposals?
According to Ernst & Young LLP “Proxy season 2013 Preview “, individual investors account for 27% of the proposals; socially responsible investors 21%; public funds 20%; labor funds 16%; faith based funds 10%; and Other 6%.
What is not included in this review are the proposals that do not make it to the annual meeting, either because there is no substantial support or the issue is resolved/negotiated, prior to reaching the annual meeting.
How does your organization compare?