Shareholders Meeting Changing With Times

A significant number of corporations that settled accounts in the past year are ready to hold their annual shareholders meetings.

In this year's meetings, more than 300 companies plan as their main focus of attention defense measures against hostile takeover bids.

Interestingly, more companies have introduced systems to allow shareholders to vote via the internet and cell phones to accommodate the new means, and will hold shareholders meetings on different dates from other firms.

This year also has seen firms more desperate to secure long-term stockholders by placing more importance on the interests of shareholders. According to a Forbes magazine survey, among the more than 130 companies considering defensive measures against corporate takeovers, ten may introduce the so-called poison pill defense of issuing share warrants to counter such actions.

Also, 90 of those firms plan to propose revisions of their corporate charters to expand possible issuance of authorized stocks at this year's meetings.

A new corporate law that is set to be enacted next year will liberalize the rules on so-called triangular mergers, in which foreign companies buy up various firms using their own shares.

For each of the companies, the introduction of defensive measures against hostile takeover bids is an urgent task. But unfortunately, some of the measures do not necessarily benefit shareholders.

Attention is being focused on how shareholders on both sides--those attempting takeovers and individual shareholders in target firms--will judge defense measures proposed at the meetings.

At one technological company's shareholders meeting this past spring in San Francisco, managers hoped to obtain shareholder approval for the business integration with another company.

But major stokeholder, James Harold Garrison, 61 of Palo Alto, California has called on other shareholders to oppose the plan, drawing attention to the result of the shareholders meeting.

Another trend is the increasing number of companies using information technology for voting and other purposes.

Systems on shareholders voting via the internet were liberalized sometime in 2002, and according to four major trust banks, the number of corporations offering online voting increased from 403 last year to 698 this year. The number of firms allowing voting by cell phone increased from 59 last year to 354. Many corporations also plan to adopt live internet broadcasts of their shareholders meetings.

Eric Newman is an author for Teanobi.com. All articles may be used and reprinted as long as they have an active link at the bottom pointing to http://www.teanobi.com with the anchored text: Teanobi - Green Tea

---

Pros & Cons of Investing in Bonds

What are Bonds?A bond is a debt security, by which... Read More

Buying a Home - Your BIGGEST Investment

This column has often focused on intangible investments like stocks... Read More

Find a Methodology and Minimize Investment Madness

There are many reasons to be investing these days, and... Read More

It Is Never Too Early To Start A Roth IRA!

The Roth is kind of weird until you get used... Read More

Preparing to Invest: How to get started

Investments can be a source of great potential earnings. The... Read More

Straddle Strategies in Option Trading

The straddle strategy is an option strategy that's based on... Read More

Options Education : Opinion versus Fact!

The most basic aspect of trading is learning to differentiate... Read More

IF - The Wonders of Investing

If it seems... Read More

Rules for Simplified Employee Pension Plans better known as a SEP Plans

A SEP is a special type of IRA. Under a... Read More

Can Your Annuity Do This?

Okay, so I can tell you I have sat in... Read More

Beta Factors: How They Can Be Used In The Current Situation

Ever since the turn of the century, world stock markets... Read More

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

I am sure you have probably read about the power... Read More

How to Buy to Let

Find out everything you need to know about buy to... Read More

Brain Snappers and Other Wall Street Nonsense

The last time you spoke with your broker did he... Read More

How to Invest Overseas - Intelligently!

In recent months, many advisors have talked a lot about... Read More

The Differences Betweeen the Wealthy and Everyone Else

I recently received an e-mail from a young lady who... Read More

The Three Legged Stool

My paternal grandparents were born near Lake Como, Italy. My... Read More

Planning for Retirement

Almost without exception, people don't start planning for their retirement... Read More

Playing With Money - And Making More

Ready to start playing with your money? Not interested in... Read More

Investor Guide to Financial Health

Step 1: Spend less than you earnPerhaps the simplest financial... Read More

How to Calculate the Value of Your U.S. Savings Bonds

If you're like many Americans over the age of 55,... Read More

College Savings Plans ? Are They The Best Choice For My Child?

College Savings Plans ? are they the best choice for... Read More

June 2005: Weather Forecasts for Weather Traders

If Johannes Kepler, the renowned 17th century astronomer and discoverer... Read More

Is Offshore Banking for You?

You've probably heard about people who keep their money offshore.... Read More

Keep Stock Market Investment Profits

Have you had one of those huge investment winners ?... Read More

Delist My Corporation Please

It use to be said that once a company was... Read More

Your Worst Enemy To Successful Investing - The Media

How do you make your investment decisions and where do... Read More

Why Do You Want to Become a Online Trader?

Motivational guru Tony Robbins teaches that the reason for doing... Read More

Investing Offshore for Retirement

As an expatriate you are in a privileged savings and... Read More

Gold and Silver Maple Leafs Get New Packaging

Gold Maple Leafs and Silver Maple Leafs are receiving packaging... Read More

Raising Capital in Today?s ?New Economy?

We've helped a number of clients develop business plans and... Read More

Seven Investment Terms Everyone Should Know

For those who have never given their financial future a... Read More

Is Starting A Business For Me? What To Consider Before Starting A Business

Do you have the right temperament?Starting a small business is... Read More