Institutional Shareholder Services News

Towers Watson Shareholders ‘Should Reject’ New Willis Deal, Says Proxy Adviser

Towers Watson & Co. shareholders should vote against an $8.9 billion merger with Willis Group Holdings Plc even after the insurance broker increased the offer amid a backlash from investors, proxy adviser Glass Lewis & Co. said in a report. …

ISS Advice on Willis-Towers Deal ‘Encourages’ Short-Term Shareholder Activism

Institutional Shareholder Services’ recommendation that Towers Watson & Co. investors vote against the proposed merger with Willis Group Holdings Plc is legitimizing short-term shareholder activism, ValueAct Capital Management said. The report encourages “bumpitrage,” which is where shareholder activists purchase the …

Willis ‘Disappointed’ that Tower Watson Shareholders Advised to Reject Merger

Willis Group Holdings plc said it was “disappointed” that Institutional Shareholder Services last week recommended Tower Watson shareholders reject the proposed merger with Willis. “[W]e are disappointed with their conclusion that Towers Watson shareholders should not support the merger. We …

Towers Watson Investors ‘Should Reject’ Merger with Willis: Advisers

Towers Watson & Co. investors should reject a planned merger with insurance broker Willis Group Holdings Plc, proxy advisers Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis & Co. said. The consulting firm’s holders should seek improved merger terms, or “the better …

RSA May Face Shareholder Backlash on CEO’s ‘Excessive’ Bonus

RSA Insurance Group plc may face a backlash from investors this week as Pensions & Investment Research Consultants Ltd. said Chief Executive Officer Stephen Hester’s compensation was “excessive.” The shareholders’ group recommended investors abstain from voting for Hester’s pay at …

Aviva CEO & CFO Reduce Long-Term Bonuses After Voting Agency Concern

Aviva plc’s Chief Executive Officer Mark Wilson and the chief financial officer lowered their long-term bonuses after Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. was said to have raised concerns over 2015 compensation. Wilson’s long-term incentive plan (LTIP ) reverted back to 2014 …