A weekly compilation of news from around the world of investor relations.
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NASDAQ OMX, BATS and CBOE Sites Hit by DoS Attacks
The perpetrators have not been identified but the Financial Times, citing people briefed on the attacks, says that a group calling itself “the 99 per cent” – a reference to the Occupy Wall Street movement – may be responsible. Finextra
Thailand Exchange Also Hit By Flooding Attack
The Stock Exchange of Thailand said its public website also was hit by a distributed denial of service attack. Securities Technology Monitor
Wall Street’s Reputation Still Falling
Wall Street ranks third from last in popularity among all industries surveyed, above only tobacco and government. DealBook
The Next Wave in High Frequency Trading
“Over any given distance, radio signals travel significantly faster through the atmosphere than do optical signals in fiber. That’s just the physics, but it is the main reason latency sensitive traders are now interested in microwave technology.” Institutional Investor
SEC Widens Probe of Exchange-Traded Funds
US and UK regulators are concerned that so-called settlement fails – when trades are not completed on time – could contribute to volatility and systemic risk in financial markets. Reuters
US Lawmakers Challenge SEC on Wording in Conflict-Mineral Rule
The SEC may violate the intent of Congress if it permits companies to “furnish” rather than “file” disclosures on their use of so-called conflict minerals, a group of Democratic lawmakers said in a letter to the agency. Bloomberg
Volcker Rule Faces Critics as Effective Date Nears
In scores of comment letters, bankers and their trade associations said the so-called Volcker rule would increase risk, raise investor costs, hurt US competitiveness and be vulnerable to legal challenge. Bloomberg
ISS Investigates Claim of Data Leaks
Institutional Shareholder Services disclosed that it was conducting an investigation into a claim that an employee improperly leaked confidential investor voting data in exchange for cash and gifts. DealBook
America’s Export to Canada: Shareholder Activism
Canadian companies cannot adopt poison pills to limit activists from accumulating large stakes. Moreover, any shareholder owning more than 5 percent of a company can call a shareholder meeting at any time to replace the board. DealBook
German Corporate Governance Code Enhancements Proposed
The Government Commission on the German Corporate Governance Code has proposed amendments to the Code to enhance the independence of supervisory board members and audit committees. Jim Hamilton Blog
Too Much Cash in the Corner Office
Fixing CEO pay—making it more reflective of what executives are truly worth—would go a long way toward restoring America’s faith in business, and in equal treatment. How, is the $60 million question. BusinessWeek
Girding for the 2012 Proxy Season: Preparing for When Your CEO’s Pay Hits the Headlines
A little advance planning for negative publicity can help go a long way in helping you prepare an explanation for your key stakeholders. Towers Watson
Only 9% of Fund Managers Incorporate ESG Factors
Regionally, emerging markets and Asia-Pacific in particular were found by Mercer to have the highest rate of ESG incorporation. SocialFunds
Trends in Activism and Say on Pay
Stock market volatility and a slow economic recovery have led to the emergence of a new generation of activists. Some shareholders are focused on corporate governance issues such as increased transparency while others are dissident and interested in major changes. IRHub
Practicing Safe Presentations
A recent ruling by a federal trial court for the Western District of Washington has underlined the need for companies to make sure they verbally reference the safe harbor disclaimer. Investor Relations Musings
Bringing Humor to Investor Relations Disclaimers
The Contango Oil & Gas Company seems to inject humor into their forward-looking disclosure disclaimers quite often. Here is one from their latest investor presentation: TheCorporateCounsel.net
How Google Chart Tools Can Help You Visualize Your Data
These tools create the perfect means for businesses and students to visualize data on websites as well as other types of presentations. Programmable Web
Raymond James Starts To Automate Social Interaction
The pre-approved content even includes messages on non-financial topics. That can include golf tips, wine commentary, travel advice or book recommendations, for instance. Securities Technology Monitor
Mobile Sites vs. Apps: The Coming Strategy Shift
Mobile apps currently have better usability than mobile sites, but forthcoming changes will eventually make a mobile site the superior strategy. Useit.com
Pam Agnew, ABC is a director of IR Web Reporting International Inc. and an award-winning communicator. She has more than 20 years of corporate and agency experience in investor, crisis, corporate, media, stakeholder and sustainability communications on four continents for leading global companies as well as stock exchanges, securities regulators and large institutional investors.
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