Activist Investing Today: Understanding ESG Activism, M&A, and Trump
In a recent discussion, Stephen Brown, senior adviser and managing director at KPMG’s Board Leadership Center, highlighted some potential consequences of new limits on activist shareholder proposals. If the SEC allows more companies to block these proposals, the ones that do make it through might gain more support. Brown explained that with fewer proposals making it to the ballot, those that do could be seen as more deserving of consideration. This could lead to larger institutional investors being more open to voting in favor of these measures, especially if they believe they are worthwhile.
Brown also touched on topics such as M&A activism, campaigns to remove CEOs, and potential changes to proxy adviser rules under a Trump administration. He also discussed the outlook for ESG proposals and anti-woke shareholder measures, noting that the latter have not found much traction with institutional stewardship teams.
Looking ahead, Brown pondered whether there would be stricter guidance or even legislative action on SEC proposals under the new administration. The corporate world has been grappling with a high number of shareholder proposals, leading to speculation about potential changes in this space. If you’d like to hear more insights from Stephen Brown, be sure to check out the podcast below.
It’s always interesting to hear experts like Brown share their perspectives on the evolving landscape of activist investing and corporate governance. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on these important topics!
