Tag archives: dual-class share structure

Institutional investors managing US $17 trillion announce new corporate governance framework

Trevor ZeylBy Trevor Zeyl on Posted in Corporate Governance, Shareholder Activism

In a move likely to have significant impacts on corporate governance, a group of institutional investors managing upwards of US $17 trillion has announced the formation of the Investor Stewardship Group (the Group). The Group has adopted a framework of certain non-binding investor-friendly principles, many of which are either common or already legally recognized in Canada, illustrating one of Canada’s greatest attractions as an investment destination: its strong protections of investor rights. On the other hand, the Group takes a skeptical view of a common practice in Canada: dual-class share structures.

The Group

The Group is a collective of … Continue Reading

Dual-Class Shares May Increase Value for Shareholders

Vasuda SinhaBy Vasuda Sinha on Posted in Corporate Finance, Corporate Governance, Restructuring, Securities, Shareholder Activism

A significant issue regarding the corporate governance of public companies arises from questions regarding the optimal role of shareholders in navigating a company’s direction.  The one share, one vote view of the world posits that shareholder democracy is best achieved when the division of control amongst shareholders holds true with the division of economic ownership.  In contrast, a number of major corporate players have governance and share ownership structures that allow certain classes of shareholders a disproportionate amount, relative to their economic ownership, of control with respect to strategic decision-making.  While these kinds of structures may initially appear contradictory to … Continue Reading

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