Corporate governance - Vigil

'We have discussed in recent Fried Frank M&A/PE Briefings the dramatic transformation in Delaware law since about 2014—with a trend toward clearer paths to more certain judicial outcomes. This has been accompanied by a continued contraction of the grounds on which directors may have legal liability in connection with their decisions relating to M&A matters...'

The pressure is on for companies around the world to put more women on their boards. Diversity advocates have been making a business case for women in high-ranking roles for years. Now blunt-force measures, rather than financial arguments, appear to be moving the needle.

Now that we are midway into the 2018 proxy season, most deadlines for shareholder submissions of director nominations for upcoming annual meetings have come and gone. Nevertheless, shareholder activists who have missed a nomination deadline for whatever reason should be aware that in certain circumstances they may have a second bite at the apple.

DEUTSCHE BANK is one of the financial industry’s hardest problems. It is not a viable business when judged by any sensible yardstick, because it is unable to make enough profits to generate a remotely adequate return. Its existence does not seem to be in the public interest, since it is dominated by an investment bank that has paid its lucky staff a colossal €40bn ($49bn) over the past decade.

The Italian debate on the pension system predominantly focuses on short-term aspects, neglecting relevant longer-term fundamentals. Based on long-term economic and demographic projections, this blog post calls for more awareness about the balance of risks that lie ahead.

Now his historic family business in Africa is at the heart of a probe into corruption allegations. The ability of one of France’s richest men to make deals and carry investors along looks constrained.

Subway Restaurants, the world’s most ubiquitous dining chain, will continue closing U.S. stores as it expands internationally.

The proportion of Ontarians living in low-income rose a scandalous 26 per cent from 2003 to 2016. No other province even comes close to performing that badly. Most provinces actually made significant progress in terms of people moving out of low-income situations: the rate of low-income incidence fell in every province except Ontario and Prince Edward Island between 2003 and 2016.

Companies know by now that diversity in the boardroom leads to better decision making, and a business that’s more in touch with all of its potential customers. As a result, companies are charging headhunters with identifying women and people of color as potential board candidates.

Bitcoin is a currency, technology, and, most recently, futures product.  Several clearinghouses have allowed bitcoin futures trading.  For example, CBOE launched trading in bitcoin futures on December 10, 2017, while CME Group did so a week later. NASDAQ and Cantor Fitzgerald’s exchange are also considering offering bitcoin futures.

In a debate in April among members of the FT City Network, a panel of more than 50 of the City of London’s most senior business figures, members were asked what impact on business and society they thought the recent Facebook/Cambridge Analytica data scandal would have. Below is a transcript of their responses.

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is replenishing its senior leadership team as the $337-billion fund manager looks to regroup some of its investment strategies and add new viewpoints.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank has landed a chief financial officer, but the search for a CEO drags on, three years after the federal Liberals first promised the $35-billion agency.

Congo’s state-owned mining company has accused Toronto-listed Katanga Mining Ltd. of draining hundreds of millions of dollars from their joint-venture copper and cobalt mining company.