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FASKEN’S 2018 PROXY CONTEST STUDY: THE DISSIDENTS STRIKE BACK
Published by Gbaf News
Posted on February 27, 2018
Last updated: January 13, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Gbaf News
Posted on February 27, 2018
Last updated: January 13, 2026
Fasken releases its Proxy Contest Study 2018 Update, a review of formal proxy contests in Canada last year.
Highlights from the 2018 Update include:
1. The number of formal proxy contests held steady.
2. Dissidents ended management’s three-year winning streak.
3. Solicitations by public broadcast remained relatively infrequent.
4. Micro-cap companies remained the focus of the action.
5. Institutional activists came off the sidelines and had some success.
“For the first time in three years, dissidents had success in a majority of formal board-related proxy contests,” said Aaron Atkinson, Partner, M&A group. “In addition, more contests were initiated by outside activists than by current or former management.”
“Most of the action focussed on micro-cap companies, but a quarter of the contests involved large cap companies, an increase over 2016,” said Bradley Freelan, Partner, M&A group. “Also of note, institutional activists came off the sidelines in 2017, achieving full or partial success in four of five contests launched.”
Additional information and previous updates are available on our website at fasken.com/proxy-study.
More than 100 Fasken lawyers focus on advancing M&A strategies for clients every day. Another 600 are available to step in with specific advice on tax strategies, competition and foreign investment laws, acquisition financing, labour and employment, corporate finance, intellectual property, foreign corrupt practices and government relations. This makes our M&A team one of the largest and most integrated in Canada and elsewhere.
Fasken releases its Proxy Contest Study 2018 Update, a review of formal proxy contests in Canada last year.
Highlights from the 2018 Update include:
1. The number of formal proxy contests held steady.
2. Dissidents ended management’s three-year winning streak.
3. Solicitations by public broadcast remained relatively infrequent.
4. Micro-cap companies remained the focus of the action.
5. Institutional activists came off the sidelines and had some success.
“For the first time in three years, dissidents had success in a majority of formal board-related proxy contests,” said Aaron Atkinson, Partner, M&A group. “In addition, more contests were initiated by outside activists than by current or former management.”
“Most of the action focussed on micro-cap companies, but a quarter of the contests involved large cap companies, an increase over 2016,” said Bradley Freelan, Partner, M&A group. “Also of note, institutional activists came off the sidelines in 2017, achieving full or partial success in four of five contests launched.”
Additional information and previous updates are available on our website at fasken.com/proxy-study.
More than 100 Fasken lawyers focus on advancing M&A strategies for clients every day. Another 600 are available to step in with specific advice on tax strategies, competition and foreign investment laws, acquisition financing, labour and employment, corporate finance, intellectual property, foreign corrupt practices and government relations. This makes our M&A team one of the largest and most integrated in Canada and elsewhere.
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