We generally view golden parachutes as encouragement to management to consider transactions that might be beneficial to shareholders. We engage an outside advisor to make initial, customized recommendations based on these Proxy Voting Principles and Guidelines. Payouts to executives should reflect both the executives contributions to the companys ongoing success, as well as exogenous factors that impacted shareholder value. However, in these instances, boards should periodically review the rationale for a classified structure and consider when annual elections might be more appropriate. (go back), 3A BDC is a special investment vehicle under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that is designed to facilitate capital formation for small and middle-market companies(go back), 4CTo this end, we do not view shareholder proposals asking for the separation of Chair and CEO to be a proxy for other concerns we may have at the company for which a vote against directors would be more appropriate. We note there may be cases in which the final vote recommendation at a particular company 0000013568 00000 n
We frequently oppose proposals requesting authorization of a class of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights (blank check preferred stock) because they may serve as a transfer of authority from shareholders to the board and as a possible entrenchment device. We may oppose plans that provide for the acceleration of vesting of equity awards even in situations where an actual change of control may not occur. Increasingly, we see leading boards adding members whose experience deepens the boards understanding of the companys customers, employees, and communities. Review recommendations for proxies where the Guidelines specify that the issues are to be determined on a caseby--case basis and ensure such proxies are voted in accordance with these Policies and Guidelines; and Monitoring Proxy Vendor Oversights proxy voting activities (see below). We encourage boards to periodically review director qualifications and skills to ensure relevant experience and diverse perspectives are represented in the boardroom. Voting guidelines. We generally support proposals to increase or issue preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and where the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable. 0000015446 00000 n
There is growing consensus that companies can benefit from the more favorable macroeconomic environment under an orderly, timely, and equitable global energy transition. It is the responsibility of the Committee to evaluate and maintain proxy voting Our publicly available commentary provides more information on our approach to executive compensation. Therefore, we will generally support the reduction or the elimination of supermajority voting requirements to the extent that we determine shareholders ability to protect their economic interests is improved. Foreign investing, especially in developing countries, has special risks such as currency and market volatility and political and social instability. Review details of firms position on all major proxy voting issues. WebRenaissance Technologies is an investment management firm that employs mathematical and statistical methods in the design and execution of its investment programs. In cases where a boards unilateral adoption of changes to the charter/articles/bylaws promotes cost and operational efficiency benefits for the company and its shareholders, we may support such action if it does not have a negative effect on shareholder rights or the companys corporate governance structure. In cases where a board unilaterally adopts exclusive forum provisions that we consider unfavorable to the interests of shareholders, we will vote against the Independent Chair or Lead Independent director and members of the nominating/governance committee. 1 Proxy Voting by Investment Advisers, Release No. WebIn the first half of 2022, we updated our proxy voting guidelines to enhance our commitments in three key areas: Board diversity, climate-related accountability, and cross-shareholding. We will generally engage new companies on topics such as classified boards and supermajority vote provisions to amend bylaws, as we think that such arrangements may not be in the best interests of shareholders over the long-term. In exceptional circumstances and with sufficiently broad support, shareholders should have the opportunity to raise issues of substantial importance without having to wait for management to schedule a meeting. 0000012172 00000 n
It is our view that a majority of the directors on the board should be independent to ensure objectivity in the decision-making of the board and its ability to oversee management. Required fields are marked *, You may use these HTML tags and attributes:
. We use third party research, in addition to our own analysis, to evaluate existing and proposed compensation structures. This process may include internal board evaluations; however, boards may also find it useful to periodically conduct an assessment with a third party. Where the company already has a sufficiently robust majority voting process in place, we may not support a shareholder proposal seeking an alternative mechanism. There are two commonly accepted structures for independent leadership to balance the CEO role in the boardroom: 1) an independent Chair; or 2) a Lead Independent director when the roles of Chair and CEO are combined, or when the Chair is otherwise not independent. This better macro environment will support better economic growth, financial stability, job growth, productivity, as well as ecosystem stability and health outcomes. In our view, a strong board provides a competitive advantage to a company, providing valuable oversight and contributing to the most important management decisions that support long-term financial performance. BIS may take voting action against directors (up to and including the full board) where those actions are viewed as egregiously infringing on shareholder rights. There should be a clear link between variable pay and company performance that drives sustained value creation for our clients as shareholders. We generally view the boards discretion to establish voting rights on a when-issued basis as a potential anti-takeover device, as it affords the board the ability to place a block of stock with an investor sympathetic to management, thereby foiling a takeover bid without a shareholder vote. Proxy Voting Policy . We generally support such proposals unless the agenda contains items that we judge to be detrimental to shareholders best long-term economic interests. 0000004638 00000 n
While we welcome any disclosures and commitments companies choose to make regarding Scope 3 emissions, we recognize that these are provided on a good-faith basis as methodology develops. We will evaluate these instances on a case-by-case basis. 2036 0 obj
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We oppose voting on matters where we are not given the opportunity to review and understand those measures and carry out an appropriate level of shareholder oversight. We generally oppose plans that contain evergreen provisions, which allow for automatic annual increases of shares available for grant without requiring further shareholder approval; we note that the aggregate impacts of such increases are difficult to predict and may lead to significant dilution. 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There may be legitimate instances where underwater options create an overhang on a companys capital structure and a repricing or option exchange may be warranted. Relevant shareholder proposals are assessed on a case-by-case basis. He has worked extensively in the governance space, particularly on the key governance technologies that can support leadership with the visibility, data and operating capabilities for more effective decision-making. Boards should disclose how the corporate governance structures adopted upon a companys initial public offering (IPO) are in shareholders best long-term interests. In particular, where a director maintains a Chair role of a publicly listed company in European markets, we may consider that responsibility as equal to two board commitments, consistent with our EMEA Proxy Voting Guidelines. If you have not received an invitation, and think you should have, please contact your Renaissance representative. BIS recognizes that climate change can be challenging for many companies, as they seek to drive long-term value by mitigating risks and capturing opportunities. In order to deliver long-term value for shareholders, companies should also consider the interests of their key stakeholders. [8] We recognize that it may take time and that companies with smaller market capitalizations and in certain sectors may face more challenges in pursuing diversity. The following issue-specific proxy voting guidelines (the Guidelines) summarize BlackRock Investment Stewardships (BIS) philosophy and approach to engagement and voting, as well as our view of governance best practices and the roles and responsibilities of boards and directors for publicly listed U.S. companies. WebVoting Guidelines set forth in Appendix A of Calverts Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and the proxy voting guidelines discussed in this section do not apply to such ETFs. These roles and responsibilities should be disclosed and easily accessible. The research and benchmark policy voting recommendations from both proxy advisors are considered as part of the proxy voting decision . We look for disclosures from companies to help us understand their approach and do not prescribe any particular board composition. BIS generally supports proposals to seek exclusive forum for certain shareholder litigation. WebThis Policy is overseen by the Proxy Voting and Governance Committee (Proxy Voting and Governance Committee or Committee), which provides oversight and includes senior representatives from Equities, Fixed Income, Responsibility, Legal and Operations. It allows boards to have deeper discussions and make more resilient decisions. This site is for persons in the United States only. (go back), 12By material sustainability-related risks and opportunities, we mean the drivers of risk and value creation in a companys business model that have an environmental or social dependency or impact. Our publicly available commentary provides more information on our approach to natural capital. 1A public company executive is defined as a Named Executive Officer (NEO) or Executive Chair(go back), 2In addition to the company under review. The board should exercise appropriate oversight of management and the business activities of the company. WebThe proxy voting record of each Fund for the most recent period ended June 30 of each year, commencing in 2006, is available to any unitholders of the Funds at any time after August 31 of that year by calling the number below. In such cases, we ask that companies highlight the metrics that are industry- or company-specific. In general, we support market-standardized proxy access proposals, which allow a shareholder (or group of up to 20 shareholders) holding three percent of a companys outstanding shares for at least three years the right to nominate the greater of up to two directors or 20% of the board. BIS will also consider the average board tenure to evaluate processes for board renewal. Nonetheless, we may support the proposal where the company: Increase in authorized common shares BIS will evaluate requests to increase authorized shares on a case-by-case basis, in conjunction with industry-specific norms and potential dilution, as well as a companys history with respect to the use of its common shares. We encourage disclosures aligned with the reporting framework developed by the Task Force on Climate related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), supported by industry-specific metrics, such as those identified by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), now part of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) under the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)Foundation. During a CEO transition, companies may elect for the departing CEO to maintain a role in the boardroom. We ask for disclosures to understand the timeframe and responsibilities of this role. Webguidelines are based on a commitment to create and preserve economic value and to advance principles of good corporate governance. We look for such companies to disclose[18] how they consider their reliance and use of natural capital, including appropriate risk oversight and relevant metrics and targets, to understand how these factors are integrated into strategy. Similarly, SASB Standards enable robust implementation of the Integrated Reporting Framework, providing the comparability sought by investors. Accordingly, shareholders should have the right to solicit votes by written consent provided that: 1) there are reasonable requirements to initiate the consent solicitation process (in order to avoid the waste of corporate resources in addressing narrowly supported interests); and 2) shareholders receive a minimum of 50% of outstanding shares to effectuate the action by written consent. We may support shareholder proposals requesting the establishment of such policies. In our letter on unequal voting structures, we articulate our view that one vote for one share is the preferred structure for publicly-traded companies. In the absence of a significant governance concern, we defer to boards to designate the most appropriate leadership structure to ensure adequate balance and independence. 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