Defamation lawsuits as a defence to shareholder activism

Activist investors engaged in proxy fights typically mount aggressive public relations campaigns in order to undermine shareholder confidence in a target company’s performance and leadership, whether through social media, online forums or by using the more traditional PR channels. In response, target companies have turned to a number of defensive measures, many of which have … Continue reading

The drivers and consequences of settlement agreements in proxy fights

By Michael Viner (Toronto) on July 4, 2017 Posted in Proxy Battles, Shareholder Activism

Activist interventions are being increasingly resolved by way of settlement agreements, with 3% of activist interventions in 2000 having resulted in a settlement agreement versus 16% in 2011.[1] In light of this emerging trend, the Columbia Business School recently published a paper, Dancing with Activists, in which the authors sought to provide the first systematic … Continue reading

Shareholders Shaking Up Japan

By Trevor Zeyl on July 15, 2014 Posted in Corporate Governance, Proxy Battles, Securities, Shareholder Activism

A Japanese research firm suggests that there may be a record 14 shareholder proposals (all with the intention of creating higher returns) that will be made in the next few weeks as annual general meeting season begin in Tokyo and elsewhere. Why is this surprising? In the past it has been uncommon for shareholders in … Continue reading