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Tag Archives | MSCI

Real Impact Tracker Goes Live

, January 26, 2018 ,

Real Impact Tracker Involves Everyday Investors in Creating Better Corporate Governance

  • Everyday investors need to play a greater role in corporate governance.
    • It’s dominated by institutions, where the least common denominator is profits
    • Everyday investors should hold companies and funds accountable to their values
  • Everyday investors can play a greater role in corporate governance
    • The Real Impact Certified Community helps them find which fund managers hold companies accountable to their values.
    • The Real Impact Button gives individual investors access, previously limited to institutions, to engage, as shareowners, with the management of their funds and companies.
  • Imagine what would happen if companies really took all the considerations of their shareowners into account.

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CII: Index Providers Speak

, September 28, 2017 ,

Index Providers Speak: Policy Process and Voting Rights

Index providers spoke at  about how they develop their policies. Specifically, they discussed recent developments around voting rights.

Index Providers Represented

  • Annalisa Barrett, Clinical Professor of Finance at the University of San Diego (Moderator)
  • David Blitzer, Managing Director & Chairman of the Index Committee, S&P Dow Jones
  • Pavlo Taranenko, Executive Director, Index Research, MSCI (standing in photo)

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Are We Paying CEOs Too Much?

, March 9, 2017 ,

Are we paying CEOs too much? Is the Pope Catholic? (That’s my own bad joke, not from the panelists.)

Executive compensation is front and center on the minds of shareholders, regulators—and politicians. What IS pay? What IS performance? What are the right time frames for measuring performance? And what to do about the perception that pay is not tied to performance?

I was less interested in our “perception” that pay is not tied to performance and more interested in the reality, where such discrepancies exist.

Are We Paying CEOs Too Much?

Are We Paying CEOs Too Much?

Are We Paying CEOs Too Much? is Part 5 of my coverage of the Corporate Directors Forum 2017 in San Diego @corpdirforum, which was billed as Directors, Management, & Shareholders in Dialogue. I was also hoping to learn more about President Donald J. Trump and how his administration might impact corporate governance. More about that in a future post. See Part I, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4. As usual, the Directors Forum was under Chatham House Rule, so I’m mostly just posting a few observations and my reflections that I hope readers will find interesting.Much better photos from the professional photographer at Directors Forum 2017 Photo Slide Show.  Continue Reading →

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Microsoft (MSFT): Proxy Score 56

, November 22, 2016 ,

MSFTMicrosoft Corporation (MSFT), operates a technology company, develops, licenses, and supports software products, services, and devices worldwide.

MSFT’s annual meeting is coming up on November 30, 2016. ProxyDemocracy.org had collected the votes of 3 fund families when I checked. Vote AGAINST pay, pay committee, stock plan. Vote FOR all other proxy items, especially my proposed amendments to proxy access to increase the ability of shareholders to group together to nominate directors.  I voted with the Board’s recommendations 56% of the time. View Proxy Statement via iiWisdom. Continue Reading →

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Reed’s Inc: Proxy Score 55

, November 17, 2016 ,

Reeds IncReed’s Inc. (REED), develops, manufactures, markets and sells fantastic natural non-alcoholic carbonated soft drinks and other confectionaries, such as Reed’s Ginger Brews; Virgil’s Root Beer, Cream Sodas, Dr. Better and Real Cola, including ZERO diet sodas; Culture Club Kombucha; China Colas; Reed’s Ginger candy and ice creams, and Sonoma Sparkler and other juice based products.

Their annual meeting is coming up on November 29, 2016. Unfortunately, the company is too small for ProxyDemocracy.org to follow, so no help there. However, I have been heavily involved with the Committee to Rescue Reed’s, so am intimately familiar with many of the issues. Vote FOR proxy access, split chair/CEO, forcing zombie directors to resign, all new board nominees and pay. Vote AGAINST Christopher J. Reed,  Auditor, and Repricing options. I voted with the Board’s recommendations 55% of the time. View Proxy Statement; again, the company to small to pull up proxy via iiWisdom. Continue Reading →

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Clorox Company: Proxy Score 93

, November 1, 2016 ,
Clorox Company

Clorox Company

Clorox Company (CLX), operates through four segments:

  1. Cleaning – laundry, home care and professional products.
  2. Household – charcoal, cat litter and plastic bags, wraps and container products.
  3. Lifestyle – food products, water-filtration systems and filters, and natural personal care products.
  4. International many of the same consumer brands. 

Their annual meeting is coming up on November 16, 2016. ProxyDemocracy.org had collected the votes of 2 fund families when I checked. Vote FOR reducing the threshold to call a special meeting and all other items on the proxy. I voted with the Board’s recommendations 93% of the time. View Proxy Statement via iiWisdom. Continue Reading →

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3D Moves to Equilar – Diversity Benefits

, October 24, 2016 ,
3D Joins Equilar Diversity Network

3D Joins Equilar Diversity Network

3D Moves to Equilar. The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) and the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) today announced the Diverse Director DataSource (3D) will now be available through the Equilar Diversity Network.

The new partnership marks an exciting milestone for the 3D, a database the two pension funds jointly developed in 2011. 3D was designed to make it easy for companies to find untapped talent to serve as directors on corporate boards. 3D joins the suite of searchable sources on Equilar, further simplifying companies’ and candidates’ ability to build and be a part of diverse corporate boards. MSCI ESG Research previously hosted the database.

Launching 3D on Equilar’s Diversity Network showcases the depth and availability of qualified, diverse directors. The Diversity Network is designed to connect candidates from various diversity organizations with boards. Continue Reading →

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Procter & Gamble (PG): Proxy Score 43

, October 3, 2016 ,

PGProcter & Gamble Co (NYSE:PG), provides consumer packaged goods. Their annual meeting is coming up on October 11, 2016.

ProxyDemocracy.org had collected the votes of 3 fund families when I checked. Vote AGAINST pay, committee; FOR reports on political activity and how PG is addressing pro-discrimination laws. I voted with the Board’s recommendations 43% of the time. View Proxy Statement via iiWisdom. Continue Reading →

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FedEx (FDX): Proxy Score 44

, September 23, 2016 ,

FDXFedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) provides transportation, e-commerce, and business services in the United States and internationally. Their annual meeting is coming up on September 26, 2016. Last day to vote is the 25th, unless you attend the meeting.

ProxyDemocracy.org had collected the votes of two fund families when I checked. Vote AGAINST pay, compensation committee; FOR all shareholder proposals. I voted with the Board’s recommendations 44% of the time. View Proxy Statement via iiWisdom. I’m on vacation, so sorry for the late and somewhat abbreviated post. Continue Reading →

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Brocade Communications BRCD: Proxy Score 57

, March 28, 2016 ,

BRCDBrocade Communications Systems, Inc. (BRCD) provides storage area networking and Internet protocol networking solutions for businesses and organizations worldwide. $BRCD is one of the stocks in my portfolio. Their annual meeting is on April 7, 2016.

ProxyDemocracy.org had collected the vote of one fund when I checked. I voted AGAINST the pay package, compensation committee and against the exclusive jurisdiction forum. I voted with the Board’s recommendations 57% of the time. View Proxy Statement. Continue Reading →

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Starbucks Corporation: SBUX Proxy Score 59

, March 17, 2016 ,

Starbucks CorporationStarbucks Corporation (SBUX, $SBUX) is the roaster, marketer and retailer of specialty coffee. Starbucks Corporation is one of the stocks in my portfolio. Their annual meeting is coming up on March 23, 2016. ProxyDemocracy.org had collected the votes of four funds when I checked. I voted AGAINST the pay package, bonus plan, members of the compensation committee and the proposal by the National Center for Public Policy Research. I voted FOR proxy access, the auditor and most of the Board. I voted with the Board’s recommendations 59% of the time. View Proxy Statement.

Read Warnings below. What follows are my recommendations on how to vote the proxy in order to enhance corporate governance and long-term value.

Starbucks Corporation: ISS Rating

From Yahoo! Finance: Starbucks Corporation’s ISS Governance QuickScore as of March 1, 2016 is 1.. The pillar scores are Audit: 1; Board: 9; Shareholder Rights: 1; Compensation: 1. Brought to us by Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS). Scores range from “1” (low governance risk) to “10” (higher governance risk). Each of the pillar scores for Audit, Board, Shareholder Rights and Compensation, are based on specific company disclosures. That gives us a quick idea of where to focus: Board. Continue Reading →

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Whole Foods Market (WFM): Proxy Score 82

, March 2, 2016 ,

Whole Foods Market (WFM)Whole Foods Market, Inc. (WFM, $WFM) is a retailer of natural and organic foods and grocer. WFM is one of the stocks in my portfolio. Their annual meeting is on March 9, 2016. ProxyDemocracy.org had collected the votes of five funds when I checked. I voted FOR proxy access, pro-rata vesting of equities and a report on food waste. I voted with the Board’s recommendations 82% of the time. View Proxy Statement.

Read Warnings below. What follows are my recommendations on how to vote the proxy in order to enhance corporate governance and long-term value.  Continue Reading →

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Qualcomm, Inc (QCOM): Proxy Score 81

, February 23, 2016 ,

Qualcomm IncQualcomm, Inc. (QCOM, $QCOM) is engaged in providing third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G) and next-generation wireless technologies. Qualcomm, Inc is one of the stocks in my portfolio. Their annual meeting is on March 8, 2016. ProxyDemocracy.org had collected the votes of three funds when I checked. I voted AGAINST the Omnibus Stock Plan and Harish Manwani and FOR proxy access. I voted with the Board’s recommendations 81% of the time. View Proxy Statement.

Read Warnings below. What follows are my recommendations on how to vote the proxy in order to enhance corporate governance and long-term value.  Continue Reading →

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Apple Inc. Proxy Score 47 – ‘For’ Proxy Access

, February 18, 2016 ,

Apple IncApple Inc. (AAPL) meeting on 2/26/2016 provides shareholders an opportunity to vote FOR real proxy access. Apple Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, and portable digital music players to consumers, small and mid-sized businesses, education, and enterprise and government customers worldwide. It is one of the stocks in my portfolio. I will attend the 2/26 meeting in person.

ProxyDemocracy.org had collected the votes of four funds when I checked. I voted against two directors and for proxy access, therefore with the Board’s recommendations 47% of the time. View Proxy Statement.

Read Warnings below. What follows are my recommendations on how to vote the proxy in order to enhance corporate governance and long-term value.  Continue Reading →

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Berry Plastics Group: Proxy Score 17

, February 12, 2016 ,

Berry Plastics logoBerry Plastics Group Inc (BERY) provides innovative plastic consumer packaging and engineered materials. It is one of the stocks in my portfolio and their annual meeting is on February 24, 2016. ProxyDemocracy.org had collected two votes when I checked. I voted against the pay plan, directors and in favor of Myra Young proposal to elect each director annually, therefore with the Board’s recommendations only 17% of the time. View Proxy Statement.

Read Warnings below. What follows are my recommendations on how to vote the proxy in order to enhance corporate governance and long-term value.  Continue Reading →

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Costco Wholesale: Proxy Score 57

, January 22, 2016 ,

Costco WholesaleCostco Wholesale Corporation (COST), together with its subsidiaries, operates great membership warehouses. Costco Wholesale is one of the stocks in my portfolio. Their annual meeting is on January 29, 2016. ProxyDemocracy.org had collected the votes of four funds when I checked. I voted against two directors and for proxy access, therefore with the Board’s recommendations 57% of the time. View Proxy Statement. Continue Reading →

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Hain Celestial Group: How I Voted – Proxy Score 64

, November 17, 2015 ,

Hain CelestialHain Celestial Group Inc (HAIN) manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells organic and natural products in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Europe.  Hain Celestial is one of the stocks in my portfolio. Their annual meeting is on November 19, 2015. ProxyDemocracy.org had collected the votes of two funds when I checked. I also checked CalSTRS, since their votes don’t seem to be posted at ProxyDemocracy.org and I voted with the Board’s
recommendations 64% of the time. View Proxy Statement.  Continue Reading →

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Cisco Systems: How I Voted – Proxy Score 50

, November 16, 2015 ,

ciscoCisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) designs, manufactures, and sells Internet Protocol (IP) based networking products and services related to the communications and information technology industry worldwide. Cisco is one of the stocks in my portfolio. Their annual meeting is on November 19, 2015. ProxyDemocracy.org had collected the votes of four funds when I checked. I voted with the Board’s recommendations 50% of the time. View Proxy Statement.

Read Warnings below. What follows are my recommendations on how to vote the proxy in order to enhance corporate governance and long-term value.  Continue Reading →

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Clorox: How I Voted – Proxy Score 100

, November 15, 2015 ,

cloroxThe Clorox Company (CLX) manufactures and markets consumer and professional products worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Cleaning, Household, Lifestyle, and International. Clorox is one of the stocks in my portfolio. Their annual meeting is on November 18, 2015. ProxyDemocracy.org had collected the votes of two funds when I checked. I voted with the Board’sProxyDemocracy.org recommendations 100% of the time. View Proxy Statement.  Continue Reading →

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Broadridge Financial Solutions: My Vote – Proxy Score 64

, November 4, 2015 ,

Broadridge Financial SolutionsBroadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (BR) is a provider of investor communications and technology-driven solutions to banks, broker-dealers, mutual funds and corporate issuers. They are one of the stocks in my portfolio. Their annual meeting is on November 12, 2015. ProxyDemocracy.org had collected the votes of two funds when I checked and voted. I voted with the Board’sProxyDemocracy.orgrecommendations 64% of the time. View Proxy Statement. 

Read Warnings below. What follows are my recommendations on how to vote the proxy in order to enhance corporate governance and long-term value.   Continue Reading →

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Symantec Corporation: How I Voted – Proxy Score 50

, October 28, 2015 ,

Symantec CorporationSymantec Corporation (SYMC) provides security, backup and availability solutions and is one of the stocks in my portfolio. Their annual meeting is on November 3, 2015. ProxyDemocracy.org had collected the votes of three funds when I checked and voted. I voted with the Board’s ProxyDemocracy.orgrecommendations 50% of the time. View Proxy Statement. 

Read Warnings below. What follows are my recommendations on how to vote the Procter & Gamble proxy in order to enhance corporate governance and long-term value.   Continue Reading →

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The Habit Restaurants: Proxy Score 33

, June 17, 2015 ,

The Habit RestaurantsThe Habit Restaurants, Inc. (HABT), one of the stocks in my portfolio, operates fast casual restaurants under The Habit Burger Grill name in California, Arizona, Utah, and New Jersey, offers charbroiled hamburgers, specialty sandwiches, fresh salads, and shakes and malts. Their annual meeting is coming up on 6/23/2015. ProxyDemocracy.org had the vote of one fund when I checked and voted on 6/15/2015. I also located the vote of CalSTRS.  I voted with the board 33% of the time and assigned Premiere Global Services a proxy score of 33. Continue Reading →

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Premiere Global Services: Proxy Score 67

, June 14, 2015 ,

Premiere Global ServicesPremiere Global Services, Inc. (NYSE:PGI), one of the stocks in my portfolio, offers virtual meeting solutions. Its cloud-based solutions provides multi-point, real-time virtual collaboration using video, voice, mobile, web streaming and file sharing technologies. Their annual meeting is coming up on 6/17/2015. ProxyDemocracy.org had the vote of one fund when I checked and voted on 6/14/2015. I also located the vote of CalSTRS.  I voted with the board 67% of the time and assigned Premiere Global Services a proxy score of 67. Continue Reading →

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Ellie Mae: Proxy Score 50

, June 14, 2015 ,

Ellie MaeEllie Mae Inc (NYSE:ELLI), one of the stocks in my portfolio, is a provider of on-demand software solutions and services for the residential mortgage industry in the United States. Their annual meeting is coming up on 6/17/2015. ProxyDemocracy.org had the vote of one fund when I checked and voted on 6/11/2015. I also located the vote of CalSTRS.  I voted with the board 50% of the time and assigned Ellie Mae a proxy score of 50. Continue Reading →

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DaVita HealthCare Partners: Proxy Score 50

, June 14, 2015 ,

DaVita HealthCare PartnersDaVita HealthCare Partners Inc (NYSE:DVA), one of the stocks in my portfolio, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies to treat serious diseases for which there are limited treatment options. Their annual meeting is coming up on 6/16/2015. ProxyDemocracy.org had the vote of two funds when I checked and voted on 6/11/2015.  I voted with the board 50% of the time and assigned DaVita HealthCare Partners a proxy score of 50. Continue Reading →

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Medivation: Proxy Score 55

, June 10, 2015 ,

MedivationMedivation Inc (NASD:MDVN) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies to treat serious diseases for which there are limited treatment options.. It is one of the stocks in my portfolio. Their annual meeting is coming up on 6/16/2015. ProxyDemocracy.org had the vote of two funds when I checked and voted on 6/9/2015.  I voted with the board 55% of the time and assigned Caterpillar a proxy score of 55. Continue Reading →

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Genomic Health: Proxy Score 60

, June 9, 2015 ,

Genomic HealthGenomic Health, Inc. (NASD:GHDX), one of the stocks in my portfolio, is a molecular diagnostics company focused on the global development and commercialization of genomic-based clinical laboratory services that analyze the underlying biology of cancer allowing physicians and patients to make individualized treatment decisions. Their annual meeting is coming up on 6/11/2015. ProxyDemocracy.org had the vote of one fund when I checked and voted on 6/9/2015. I also included CalSTRS‘ vote in the table below.  I voted with management 60% of the time and assigned Genomic Health a proxy score of 60. Continue Reading →

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SciClone Pharmaceuticals: Proxy Score 78

, June 9, 2015 ,

SciClone PharmaceuticalsSciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASD:SCLN) is one of the stocks in my portfolio. Their product portfolio of therapies includes oncology, infectious diseases and cardiovascular disorders.discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets therapies for the treatment of neurological, autoimmune, and hematologic disorders in the United States and internationally. Their annual meeting is coming up on 6/11/2015. ProxyDemocracy.org had the vote of one fund when I checked and voted on 6/9/2015.  I voted with management 78% of the time and assigned SciClone Pharmaceuticals a proxy score of 78. Continue Reading →

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Facebook: Proxy Score 0

, June 9, 2015 ,

FacebookFacebook Inc (NASD:FB) operates as an online retailer in North America and internationally. It is one of the stocks in my portfolio. Their annual meeting is coming up on 6/10/2015. ProxyDemocracy.org had the vote of three fund families when I checked and voted on 6/8/2015. I added the votes of CalSTRS in the table below. Like ALL the pre-disclosing funds, I voted with management 0% of the time. I assigned Facebook a proxy score of 0. Continue Reading →

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