If IROs can be considered professional problem solvers, rarely are they presented with a thornier challenge than the departure of a CFO or CEO. Investors desire continuity and calm waters, and times of transition naturally make them uneasy. It’s therefore the IRO’s job to convey to the markets that all is fine during a leadership transition – and then to help the new executive navigate his or her initial interactions with the investing community at large. | Read Article |

Sadly, it is an all too common occurrence that a sector loses favour and, the next thing you know, analyst coverage starts to disappear. The first thing you should ask is why this is happening. Is it just your company or is it industry wide? What are the potential ramifications and what can you do about them? | Read Article |

The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) in March 2014 issued proposed guidance (‘Proposed Guidance’) for the underwriting due diligence process aimed at promoting consistency and enhanced standards among its dealer members in connection with prospectus offerings of securities. Interested parties are invited to provide comments in writing on the Proposed Guidance by June 4, 2014. | Read Article |

The Integrated Reporting Framework is an ambitious attempt to reshape the direction and focus of corporate reporting, and aims to provide investors with a more complete picture of business value by extending reporting beyond historical financial performance. The Framework was launched on December 9, 2013, by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), following a period of extensive consultation. The IIRC is a global coalition of regulators, investors, companies, standard setters, the accounting profession, and NGOs. | Read Article |

Social media is increasingly becoming the domain of hyper-public proxy battles, merger proposals and recapitalization schemes, as tech-savvy investors employ tactics formerly thought to belong to grassroots social activists, not deep-pocketed Wall Street influencers. Beyond its facility to amplify a message, social media has proven a powerful protest tool for its prowess in galvanizing supporters and organizing collective action. | Read Article |