2016 Proxy Season Review: Shareholder Proposals
With most of the 2016 proxy season in the rear-view mirror, it’s clear that shareholder proposals continue to be a preferred vehicle for certain kinds of shareholder activism, though with limited effectiveness unless the company and the shareholder reach a negotiated outcome. Proxy access proved to be the notable exception. Overall, the total number of shareholder proposals submitted (916) was down from the all-time high in 2015 (943) but higher than in 2014 and 2013. Proxy access proposals continued to dominate the landscape of shareholder proposals for the second consecutive year, with 201 proposals submitted, nearly twice the 108 proposals submitted last year. Following proxy access, the most common shareholder proposal topics in 2016 related to political and lobbying activities (103), executive compensation (73), diversity reporting (59), climate change (58) and independent board chairs (57). Read our full summary here: https://www.dorsey.com/newsresources/publications/client-alerts/2016/07/2016-proxy-season-review-shareholder-proposals
