The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) today voted, 3-2, to issue proposed rules implementing the mandate in Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) that the SEC require national securities exchanges and associations to adopt a listing standard that requires listed companies to adopt and enforce a clawback policy.
SEC Publishes Interpretations regarding “Regulation A+”
On June 23, 2015, the Staff (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) published several new Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations (“Interpretations”) relating to rules and forms under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). These Interpretations address questions and considerations relating to “Regulation A+”, which was adopted by the SEC on March 25, and became effective last Friday, June 19.
New Investor Guide on Engaging With Public Companies and Others on ESG Issues
On May 28, 2015, BlackRock and Ceres released a guide for investors on engaging with public companies, asset managers and policymakers on environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) sustainability matters. The guide, titled “21st Century Engagement: Investor Strategies for Incorporating ESG Considerations into Corporate Interactions,” includes sections written by BlackRock and Ceres as well as AFL-CIO, California Public Employees Retirement System (“CalPERS”), California State Teachers Retirement System (“CalSTRS”), Council of Institutional Investors (“CII”), International Corporate Governance Network (“ICGN”), the Office of New York City Comptroller, New York State Common Retirement Fund, North Carolina Department of State Treasurer, PGGM, State Board of Administration of Florida, TIAA-CREF, T. Rowe Price and UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust.
NASDAQ Issues FAQ Relaxing Historical Position on Net Share Settled Convertible Securities
In a change that we believe has gotten little attention to date, in March 2015 NASDAQ updated its publicly available “Frequently Asked Questions” relating to the application of NASDAQ’s shareholder approval rules to net share settled convertible securities issued in private placements.
SEC Proposes Rules On “Pay Versus Performance” Disclosures
To Our Clients and Friends:
On April 29, 2015, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC" or "Commission") voted, 3-2, to issue proposed rules implementing the pay-versus-performance disclosure requirement in Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act"). In summary, the proposed rules would require proxy statements or information statements setting forth executive compensation disclosure to include (1) a new compensation table setting forth for each of the five most recently completed fiscal years, the "executive compensation actually paid" (as defined in the proposed rules), total compensation as disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table, total shareholder return (TSR), and peer group TSR, and (2) based on the information set forth in the new table, a clear description of the relationship between executive compensation actually paid to the company’s named executive officers and the company’s TSR, and a comparison of the company’s TSR and the TSR of a peer group chosen by the company.
SEC Votes Unanimously to Overhaul and Expand Regulation A; “Regulation A+” to Serve as an Exemption for Offerings up to $50 Million
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted unanimously on March 25, 2015 to expand significantly the ability of certain issuers to raise capital in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. This new regime, commonly referred to as “Regulation A+,” is intended to create additional opportunities for companies to raise capital without having to comply with the more burdensome aspects of the traditional registration process. The adopting release, including text of the final rules, is available at https://www.sec.gov/rules/final/2015/33-9741.pdf.
Another SEC Sweep? – More Enforcement Actions for Failure to Update 13D Disclosures – This Time In Connection With Going Private Transactions
Last Friday, the SEC announced that it had settled a string of 21C administrative proceedings brought against eight officers, directors, and shareholders of public companies for their failure to report plans and actions leading up to planned going private transactions. The SEC press release can be found here. In doing so, the SEC sent another strong reminder to those that beneficially own more than 5% of the equity securities of a public company to keep their 13D disclosures current.
ISS Issues Guidance on Proxy Access Voting Policy and Other Key Policies
On February 19, 2015, Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) issued FAQs (available here) clarifying its policy on proxy access proposals as well as other key issues, including omission of shareholder proposals from company proxy materials in the absence of no-action relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) staff, exclusive forum bylaws, and other bylaw amendments adopted without shareholder approval. 1. Proxy Access. Under the approach announced in the FAQs, ISS generally will support both shareholder and company proposals that provide for proxy access with the following features:
SEC Grants No-Action Letter Allowing for 5-Business Day Debt Tender Offers
Today, January 23, 2015, the Division of Corporation Finance (the “Staff”) granted a no-action letter that was submitted on behalf of a consortium of law firms, including Gibson Dunn, whereby the Staff agreed to not recommend Enforcement action when a debt tender offer is held open for as short as 5 business days. This letter builds upon an evolving line of no-action letters granted over the past three decades that have addressed not only the overall duration of debt tender offers (typically the rules require a minimum of 20 business days), but also formula pricing mechanisms (that allow a final price to be announced several days prior to expiration). Following an extensive dialogue with members of the bar and numerous market participants, including issuers, investment banks and institutional investors that began several years ago, the Staff is now opening up the relief that it previously limited to “investment grade” debt securities. Under the no-action letter, “non-investment” grade debt securities are now eligible to be purchased on an expedited basis. In order to take full advantage of this relief, issuers will need to disseminate their offers in a widespread manner and on an immediate basis. This should enable more security holders to quickly learn about the offer and permit holders to receive the tender consideration in a shorter timeframe. In addition, the abbreviated offering period will allow more issuers to better price their tender offers with less risk posed by fluctuating interest rates and other timing and market concerns related to the offer.
SEC Ceases To Issue No-Action Letters on Conflicting Shareholder Proposals
Today the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) staff announced that it will no longer express views on the application of Rule 14a-8(i)(9), one of the bases for excluding shareholder proposals from company proxy materials, during the current proxy season. The staff’s announcement is a result of today’s announcement by SEC Chair Mary Jo White that she has directed the staff of Division of Corporation Finance to review the rule and report to the Commission on its review.