GOOGLE
NASDAQ: GOOG Meeting Date: 5/14/2014
While unaffiliated shareholders will have plenty of questions upon scrutinizing Google’s recent governance and compensation decisions, we doubt any of them will accuse the board or executive team of taking half measures. Since last year’s shareholder meeting, Google completed its controversial recapitalization (through which it permanently removed any ability for shareholders to force changes at the board), acquired a company that provided an “independent” director’s venture capital firm with a 9-figure payout, and granted executive chairman Eric Schmidt a second $100 million equity award in three years. The Company also appears largely uninterested in providing substantive justification for its decisions; this is best captured through its remarkably unremarkable explanation for Mr. Schmidt’s stock grant, which was “in recognition of his contributions to Google’s performance in fiscal year 2013.” Ultimately, however, it’s difficult to tell if shareholders even expect modern governance “best practices” to apply for a company that has rewarded them so handsomely and has always done things its own way. After all, Google’s founders have never made a point of listening to unsolicited advice, and Carl Icahn’s recent (and modestly successful) efforts to force change at fellow tech giants Apple and eBay probably have Messrs. Brin and Page content that they were correct in ensuring their control over all shareholder voting matters long ago.
UBS AG
SIX Swiss Exchange: UBSN Meeting Date 5/07/2014
AGRIUM INC.
Toronto Stock Exchange: TLM Meeting Date 5/07/2014
FORD MOTORS
NYSE: F Meeting Date 5/08/2014
STANDARD CHARTERED PLC (see Proxy Season Insider here)
London Stock Exchange: STAN Meeting Date 5/08/2014
CREDIT SUISSE GROUP
SIX Swiss Exchange: CSGN Meeting Date 5/09/2014
ENERPLUS CORPORATION
Toronto Stock Exchange: ERF Meeting Date 5/09/2014
RSA INSURANCE GROUP PLC(see Proxy Season Insider here)
London Stock Exchange: RSA Meeting Date 5/09/2014