Monday, May 20, 2013

Blackrock: The Giant of Shareholders, Quietly Stirring



From the NY Times: “…BlackRock is no activist investor. In fact, it’s far from it. It has never sponsored a shareholder proposal, and it rarely broadcasts its actions. Ms. Edkins says the firm generally votes against a director or a company proposal only when a behind-the-scenes “engagement” has failed.

A number of public pension funds and activist shareholders argue that BlackRock could use its influence to greater effect and say it sides with management far too often. It received a failing grade from the A.F.L.-C.I.O. in a 2012 survey; BlackRock voted with the federation just twice in 32 shareholder votes on issues that the union sees as important to the trustees of union pension funds.

 “We believe shareholders have the power and the obligation to use every tool at their disposal to encourage greater accountability,” said Brandon Rees, acting director of the A.F.L.-C.I.O. Office of Investment. “It’s disappointing that such a large company like BlackRock votes for so few shareholder resolutions.”

There is agreement, however, that the firm has become more active in recent years…


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