Boardroom Alpha sits down with Michael R. Levin, founder of The Activist Investor and experienced board director and investor.
Update on Activism and Universal Proxy with Michael R. Levin
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Blog Category
ESG
AON’s Aria Glasgow on Managing ESG and Human Capital Risk
BA sits down with Aria Glasgow, Head of ESG Advisory at Aon, to discuss the intersection ESG and Human Capital and the risk for corporates.
Companies Amend Bylaws to Prepare for Universal Proxy in 2023
Here’s a list of over 150 companies and their 8-k’s that announce UPC related bylaw amendments since September. Some reasonable, some not so much.
Director Overboarding
Director overboarding continues to be a key factor that shareholders — and those who advise them — look at when evaluating nominees at the annual shareholder vote. This brief overview of “director overboarding” will look at what it is, why it matters, and how it is evaluated.
Say-on-Pay Voting: What You Need to Know
Learn what shareholder Say-on-Pay votes are, when they occur, why they are important, where to find them, recent trends, and more.
Failed Say-on-Pay Votes 2022
The annual (sometimes) Say-on-Pay votes in 2022 highlighted discontent across a range of poor performing companies.
Korn Ferry’s Anthony Goodman on the Importance of Board Evaluations
Korn Ferry’s Head of Board Effectiveness Anthony Goodman talks board evaluations, universal proxies, and more with David Drapkin.
20 S&P 500 Companies that Need to Add Women to the Board in 2023
These 20 S&P 500 companies are lagging their peers on gender diversity. With 2023 right around the corner are they already on the hunt for board members that will improve their gender diversity?
Universal Proxy Cards – What You Need to Know
Understand what the SEC’s new Universal Proxy Card rules are, what their impact may be, and find additional resources to learn more.
FAQ: Interlocking Directorates
Understand what interlocking directorates are, when they are legal, why they are a risk, and how to analyze them.
Governance Alert: FedEx
FedEx (FDX) is making some shareholder-friendly moves, including an over 50% dividend hike, adding two independent directors, and a TSR-based executive compensation metric. We applaud the changes, but now the real work begins. Can a new CEO and refreshed board improve margins?
5 Long-Tenured CEOs that Need to Turn Things Around
While COVID-related issues are abating, it’s no secret that many companies are still struggling to find their footing. We take a close-up look at 5 long-tenured CEOs (+ 1 co-CEO) that are facing big negative 3-year returns.
ExxonMobil Hits First Record High in Eight Years
With ExxonMobil shares hitting a new 52-week high and “making more money than God,” according to President Joe Biden, we take a closer look at financials and governance.
Razor-thin approvals: For Amazon shareholders, the conversation around pay, labor, and environment isn’t over
Narrow approval for Amazon’s compensation package, coupled with razor-thin approvals on environmental and worker safety proposals reveal a growing undercurrent of shareholder opposition. Momentum is building, which means for shareholders, this conversation is far from over.
Panic Time for Palantir?
The world is a scarier place, which should be good for Palantir. But, with the controversial intelligence and analytics company having just reported its lowest revenue growth ever, we take a closer look at fundamentals and governance.
Starbucks latest brew: A nixed buyback and unionization bruising
A suspended corporate buyback amidst Schultz’s personal buying spree, a unionization bruising: Starbucks is still struggling to send the right message to shareholders.
Target’s Bloodbath
Target had its worst day since the Black Monday crash in 1987. With inflation proving to be a slow-moving illness, governance and execution will be key for retail stocks.
Lowe’s Q1 Preview: Sifting through the Noise
Mixed messages between Home Depot and Walmart have the market on edge into LOW’s Q1 earnings. Still, we think this is a bottom for home improvement stocks.
Home Depot: Bad News Looks Baked-In
In a big week for retail earnings reports, we take a closer look at HD fundamentals and governance. Bottom line: don’t hate on HD into the Q1 print: the bar is set low, and long-term fundamentals look good.
Beyond Meat: Less Plant Power and More Profit, Please.
On the heels of disastrous Q1 results, we take a closer look at BYND fundamentals and governance. If this is a zero margin business, stick a fork in it–its done.
After an Unceremonious Proxy Battle, What’s Next for Kohl’s?
With an unceremonious proxy battle now behind the company, will Kohl’s CEO Michele Gass double down on a turnaround effort or will the retailer look to sell?
BA Daily Read: Meet 3 Women CEOs Driving Returns
We look at 3 female CEOs that are outperforming benchmarks right now.
BA Daily Read: A Closer Look at Say-on-Pay Failures
14 companies have already failed a Say-on-Pay vote. We look at the most problematic of the bunch.
BA Daily Read: Dan Loeb Gives Shell a Nudge in it’s Oil-to-Energy Transition
Dan Loeb’s Third Point, which has increased its stake in oil & gas giant Shell, is pushing for a separation of the legacy and renewables business. With shares trading at deep discount to peers, its a timely conversation.
BA Daily Read: Housecleaning at Dentsply Sirona
Dentsply Sirona (XRAY) fires its CEO. Will new leadership drive a strategy shift to get the consumer business smiling again?
BA Daily Read: Can Shutterstock Save Itself?
Shutterstock’s CEO abruptly departs, insiders are dumping stock. Does this board have any new ideas or is everyone abandoning ship?
BA Daily Read: Kroger vs. Icahn– A Closer Look at Board Nominees
In the battle between Icahn and Kroger, we take a close-up look at the grocery giant’s financial performance and governance. How well has the Kroger board done and how well do Icahn’s nominees stack up?
Activist Alert: Western Digital
With Elliott pushing storage supplier Western Digital to divest its Flash business, we take a closer look at financial performance and governance.
BA Daily Read: Will a New CEO Serve Denny’s Stock a Grand Slam?
Denny’s (DENN) CEO John Miller retires later this year after more than a decade of solid performance. Who’s up for the challenge of reviving casual dining?
BA Daily Read: Elliott Shakes Things Up at Suncor Energy
Despite a rising tide for oil & gas stocks, Suncor Energy (SU) has lagged peers. Activist Elliott Investment Management thinks a changeup and re-rating could unlock 50% upside.
The Green Energy Movement will be Digitized, says Voltus CEO Gregg Dixon
Voltus is gearing up for a $1.3B SPAC IPO in the coming months. We chat with CEO Gregg Dixon, who shares how the company is leading the charge to decentralize, decarbonize and digitize our energy resources.
BA Daily Read: Can A New CEO Bring LoanDepot Back to Life?
Can Loan Depot’s new CEO bring the home lender back to life? Frank Martell will need to figure out how to grow in a cooling, competitive market.
BA Daily Read: Can the Netflix Board turn things around?
With NFLX nearing a 4-year low, we take a close look at executive and board leadership, including equity ownership and trading activity. Bottom line: we’d like to see more action.
BA Daily Read: Human Capital Management in Focus at Amazon
A look at the day’s ESG investing trends. Human capital management in focus at Amazon. Richard Clayton joints the pod to share why shareholders should vote “no” to the ATVI-MSFT merger this Thursday.
Why Activision Blizzard’s Board is Still Failing at Governance with Richard Clayton
Boardroom Alpha talks with Richard Clayton, Director of Research at the Strategic Organizing Center (SOC) Investment Group, on why shareholders should say “no” to Activision’s proposed $68.7B takeover by Microsoft ahead of this Thursday’s vote.
Boardroom Alpha Daily Read
Board blow-up at Redbox Entertainment. Mill Road Capital Pushing for a Sale of Big Lots. Happy Earth Day! A perfect time to tune into our latest ESG podcast.
Mill Road Capital Pushing for Sale of Big Lots
Mill Road Capital wants Big Lots to pursue a sale-lease back to monetize its assets ahead of a sale of the company. Is what’s good for the goose good for the gander?
The ESG Revolution Has Begun – Andrew Behar of As You Sow Joins the Podcast
Are public companies really leaning in to a more suitable, socially responsible future? Boardroom Alpha sat down with Andy Behar, CEO of non-profit shareholder advocacy organization As You Sow, to discuss some of the key ESG issues investment managers are tackling today.
Boardroom Alpha Daily Read
Amazon makes an even bigger renewable push. A timely Board refresh at Activision Blizzard.
Tidying Up: Activision Blizzard Refreshes Board Ahead of Microsoft Deal
Swirling in a sexual harassment crisis and amidst shareholder scrutiny of the Microsoft acquisition, the video game maker makes a timely Board refresh. Will the latest housecleaning be enough?
Boardroom Alpha Daily Read
We take a closer look at fundamentals at baby and children’s apparel retailer Carter’s (CRI) on the heels of the company’s ESG announcement.
Boardroom Alpha Daily Read
We take a look at the day’s news, ESG trends and special situations. Mastercard (MA) ties executive bonuses to ESG goals. Ingevity (NGVT) is a discounted specialty chemicals story with an ESG twist.
Origin Materials on Paving the Way Toward a Carbon Negative Future
John Bissell and Rich Riley, Co-CEOs of Origin Materials (ORGN) tell us how bioplastics are ready and able to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Boardroom Alpha Daily Read
We take a look at the day’s news, ESG trends and special situations. WindAcre increases its stake and opposes NSLN takeover bid. Activist Jana Partners brings lessons learned at ConAgra (CAG) to Treehouse Foods (THS). And other notable special situations.
Activist Alert: Treehouse Foods
Jana Partners is closing in (again) at Treehouse Foods (THS). Lessons learned from ConAgra give the activist an edge toward incremental improvements which should unlock value for the stock.
Boardroom Alpha Daily Read
We take a look at the day’s news, ESG trends and special situations. Management shakeup at Faraday Future (FIFE) is an all-too familiar story in the world of EV SPACs. Blackrock to be 75% net-zero aligned by 2030, and Jana closing in (again) at Treehouse Foods (THS).
Danimer Scientific’s CEO on How Bioplastics Can Help Save the World
Boardroom Alpha talks to Steve Croskrey, CEO of Danimer Scientific (DNMR), on why bioplastics technology is ready for takeoff and how the company is moving the world toward a carbon negative future.
Activist Alert: What Elon Musk Really Wants at Twitter
Elon Musk is now Twitter’s largest investor, possesses a board seat, and has a top 10 following on the platform itself. What happens when the world’s wealthiest private citizen gets involved in the battle over free speech?
Activist Alert: Kroger is next in Icahn’s Animal Welfare Campaign
Kroger Co (KR) is the latest in Carl Icahn’s animal welfare push, as activist pushes for changes among its pork suppliers and to address a widening gap between worker and executive pay.
Activist Engaged Capital Looks to Follow Rent-A-Center Playbook at Quotient Technology
Chipping away at an entrenched board, Engaged Capital looks to be following a similar playbook that culminated in a successful buyout of Rent-A-Center in 2018.
Third Time’s a Charm: Schultz back from the Bench as SBUX Favorite Pinch Hitter
Kevin Johnson steps down as SBUX CEO, with Schultz returning on an interim basis once again.
Terawatt CEO Neha Palmer talks electrification, ESG and why we need more women in tech
We sit down with Neha Palmer. Neha is CEO of Terawatt Infrastructure and a leader in the green community and corporate sustainability movement.
Is Tim Cook Worth $100 Million to Apple?
Cook’s influence is undeniable as AAPL stock has soared versus the S&P500 since Cook took the reigns. But, is any CEO worth $100M?
Why Companies Should be Focused on ESG in 2022, with Rob Main
We talk to Rob Main, a longtime Vanguard veteran, who’s now Managing Partner and COO of Sustainable Governance Partners, a corporate ESG advisory firm.