The now highly-visible insider trading probe on Wall Street is shining a harsh spotlight on “expert networks.” Relatively new to the investment research landscape, these networks offer access to experts across various industry sectors — medicine, biotech, technology, and others. … Read more
Leave a CommentNovember 2010
They are at it once again — banks and other financial firms trying to punch as many holes as possible in the new Dodd-Frank rules relating to oversight of the derivatives market. Over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, or customized contracts/arrangements between sophisticated … Read more
Leave a CommentEven the Canadians now have joined in on the bashing of the world’s best known proxy consultant — ISS — in response to the proxy adviser panning a recent merger proposal of two gold companies (sorry). ISS, or Institutional Shareholder … Read more
Leave a CommentAdd this to the list of lessons learned from the financial crisis: Boards of directors often have trouble standing up for shareowner interests. Balancing knowledge of the business with a degree of independence from the conflicted interests of management or … Read more
Leave a CommentWe are in the midst of one of the most acrimonious debates over accounting rules in decades. What is at stake is whether banks will have to value their loan portfolios and report the results on their financial statements. Currently, … Read more
Leave a CommentIn case you have not been watching, something has happened to FinReg. It is on a fast track. It took legislators in the U.S. over two years to move on fixing our financial system laws to prevent another meltdown, and … Read more
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