Every spring in the beforetimes, fervent Warren Buffett fans converged in Omaha for Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder meeting. Some 40,000 investors would fly in for the carnival known as “Woodstock for capitalists.” But, like so many large gatherings since March 2020, its past two iterations have been deflatingly virtual. The video remove didn’t stop Buffett’s event from making headlines in early…
Some of the companies that are once again hosting their annual shareholder meetings virtually this year are hoping to improve the experience for investors, many of whom felt muted last year after the sudden shift to remote technology. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc., pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. and Dutch software and services company Wolters Kluwer NV are among the companies working to increase…
The Wall Street Journal reported that, according to data provider MyLogIQ, 87 percent of companies in the S&P 500 opted for a virtual AGM this year compared with 23 percent of meetings held remotely in 2019. Companies are finding virtual AGMs to be cheaper and less time-consuming, but some shareholders complain they don’t get as much…
The Wall Street Journal (paywall) reported that, according to data provider MyLogIQ, 87 percent of companies in the S&P 500 opted for a virtual AGM this year compared with 23 percent of meetings held remotely in 2019. Companies are finding virtual AGMs to be cheaper and less time-consuming, but some shareholders complain they don’t get as…
Companies are finding virtual shareholder meetings to be cheaper and less time-consuming, but shareholders complain they don’t get as much time to ask their questions. A majority of the companies in the S&P 500 this year have decided to move their shareholder meeting—usually an in-person event—online due to coronavirus-related restrictions on large gatherings. Faced with…
Corporate boards forced to move meetings online during the coronavirus pandemic are trying to guard against cyberattacks with secure communication platforms and instructions for members on notetaking and eavesdropping. Boards are gravitating to platforms such as Cisco Systems Inc.’s Webex, LogMeIn Inc.’s GoToMeeting, and Microsoft Corp.’s Teams, according to directors and consultants. Nasdaq Inc. has…
As companies revamp annual meeting formats in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, investors and governance experts are warning boards that if investors perceive that the shift to virtual meetings is limiting shareholder rights, they will retaliate next year. According to a review of SEC filings by S&P 500 companies by public company intelligence provider MyLogIQ, as of April…
The coronavirus pandemic has turned investor dialogue upside down ascompanies go dark on negotiations and investors reset priorities at the start of an unprecedented proxy season. Shareholders have filed a host of proposals for the 2020 proxy season, once again largely focusing on environmental and social issues. Indeed, issues such as climate change, gender pay…
Hundreds of companies say they will transition to a virtual annual shareholder meeting this year while others plan to but are working out the kinks. Yet many companies are still waiting to determine what to do. According to public company intelligence provider MyLogIQ, so far 49 Russell 3000 companies have announced in recent weeks that they…
Directors are making plans to hold their next board meeting remotely to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus amid the ongoing pandemic. However, sources recommend that directors brush up on virtual meeting etiquette and ask corporate secretaries to ensure they are following applicable state laws on meetings even if they are meeting remotely. “A…