Morningstar Inc. is taking an unconventional approach to investor relations by forgoing conference calls and meetings with analysts. Instead, the Chicago-based research firm is offering investors a chance to ask and have answered questions about the company in a monthly, public, question-and-answer session. The $179.7 million company, which completed an initial public offering in May, […]
Melissa Klein Aguilar
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Basel Committee Updates Corporate Governance Guidance
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has issued for public comment updated guidance on sound corporate governance practices for banking organizations. The guidance, “Enhancing Corporate Governance for Banking Organisations,” builds on guidance first published by the Committee in 1999, which drew from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s principles of corporate governance. When finalized, […]
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FASB View Of “Grant Date” Causing Options Headaches
Public companies may face a major headache related to implementing the revised rules on accounting for stock options, according to executive compensation experts. The issue stems from the determination of the grant date used in accounting for employee stock options, which must be expensed under a Financial Accounting Standards Board rule issued last December. Under […]
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New Regulation To Make Issuing Securities in Europe Easier
As the European Union moves a step closer to its goal of a single European market in financial services, the old rules on prospectuses for companies issuing or selling securities overseas are out the window. The Prospectus Directive, a major piece of the Financial Services Action Plan that aims to create a single European market […]
Posted inInternal Controls
Turnbull Review Rejects 404 Provisions, Seeks Comments
Companies have one more month to comment on proposed revisions to the Turnbull Guidance, which sets out “best practices” on internal control for public companies in the United Kingdom, and assists them in complying with internal control requirements. Almost exactly one year ago, the UK-based Financial Reporting Council established a group to review the 14-page […]
Posted inInternal Controls
Turnbull Review Rejects 404 Provisions, Seeks Comments
Companies have one more month to comment on proposed revisions to the Turnbull Guidance, which sets out “best practices” on internal control for public companies in the United Kingdom, and assists them in complying with internal control requirements. Almost exactly one year ago, the UK-based Financial Reporting Council established a group to review the 14-page […]
Posted inInternal Controls
Committee On Smaller Public Companies Seeks Public Input
COMMENTS The SEC Advisory Committee on Smaller Public Companies is seeking input from the public on ways to improve the current regulatory system for smaller companies under the securities laws of the United States, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Comments may be sent to the SEC in three ways: Online Click Here To Use […]
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Companies Eyeing ERM, But Few Are Implementing
While the vast majority of executives say they are thinking about enterprise risk management, few appear to be implementing it across their organizations’ business processes. That’s according to two separate reports released within the last month, one by The Conference Board and financial services and risk management consulting firm Mercer Oliver Wyman, and a second […]
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Rating Agencies Eye Compensation In Assessing Credit Risk
Corporate directors and officers have yet another reason to take a careful look at their compensation practices: Executive pay could affect the company’s credit ratings. In addition to institutional investors, who have been increasingly outspoken on executive compensation practices in recent months, ratings agencies are now acknowledging that pay practices are one of many factors […]
Posted inRegulatory Enforcement
Wendy’s Indemnification Pacts Atypical; Will They Matter?
There is little question that, since The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was enacted, the issues of executive accountability, insurance and indemnification have garnered greater attention by directors and officers of public companies. Benowitz Companies have always had to concern themselves with liability issues, but, “that concern has been elevated since Enron and SOX,” notes Robert […]