Defend against activist investors
The activism landscape is always changing and Georgeson is here to help you navigate. The Georgeson team is composed of experts that bring investor, issuer, and proxy solicitation perspectives to assist our clients achieve optimal outcomes. Activist situations are unpredictable, which means companies should be prepared at any time. Having an experienced adviser such as Georgeson at your side throughout the year will help you alleviate the effects of an unexpected situation.
We'll tell you whether funds are passive, active or activist. By analyzing your shareholder base, we can create a target list and help you monitor holdings to determine any major movements. You gain a wealth of knowledge and understanding about your shareholder base through this analysis and monitoring, which is critical when anticipating an activist campaign.
If you find yourself in a defensive situation, such as a proxy fight, we can help you make your company's voice heard. We help you understand the activist position and motivation as well as relevant trends so you can be prepared to come out on top of a contested situation.
How do we do this?
Activist profiles and goals
Know who they are, along with their key interests and concerns as well as their goals. There may be underlying motives to the way they plan to vote
Vulnerability assessments
Gain information on potential vulnerabilities and can fortify your business appropriately. Vulnerabilities may lie in certain proposals or groups of shareholders
Voting trends
This is vital in helping you to prepare for potential vote outcomes
Advisory firm communications strategy
We contact proxy advisory firms to make sure they have the information they need to make accurate recommendations and prepare you for the types of questions they might ask
Proxy advisory influence
Find out who is listening to their advice – some investors have in-house guidelines and some follow proxy advisory firm recommendations – as well as the impact it will have on each proposal
Learn how your investors will likely vote
We can predict with a high degree of accuracy the percentage of investor voting support a proposal is expected to receive utilizing technology and proprietary databases
Engage your top investors
Gain a deep understanding of your institutional investors. We schedule meetings with the right contacts within each firm and equip you to make the greatest impact with your message
Boardroom preparation
You can be reassured there’s a team and a strategy in place so you’re ready to face activist investors
Get an assessment of your board’s vulnerability
The need to analyze directors’ qualifications and various aspects of board composition to identify vulnerabilities has never been more critical.
Engage your top investors
Shareholder engagement has expanded beyond the proxy season to become a year-round strategic endeavor as public companies increasingly seek to engage with investors on governance and other business-related topics.
Support for your cause
We also help shareholders rally support from other invested parties against offers or recommendations made by issuers.
Strategic advice
On the form and content of ‘fight letters’ or similar documents
Shareholder identification
To locate possible supporters, including hedge fund and arbitrage positions
Soliciting
Institutional investors
Reporting and analysis
Of solicitation results and the monitoring of likely offer outcomes
Speak to one of our experts today about how we can help you prepare for shareholder activism
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