By , (Reuters) - The acting chair of the U.S. securities regulator on Wednesday called for clearer disclosures on how asset managers cast the votes that dominate most corporate elections.Securities and Exchange Commission acting chair Allison Herren Lee said disclosure rules have failed to help everyday investors especially as they focus more on environmental and social issues. She called the N-PX forms that companies file “unwieldy, difficult to understand, and difficult to compare across fund complexes.”“It is high time to revisit this critical form and make it useful in creating needed...…By , (Reuters) - The acting chair of the U.S. securities regulator on Wednesday called for clearer disclosures on how asset managers cast the votes that dominate most corporate elections.Securities and Exchange Commission acting chair Allison Herren Lee said disclosure rules have failed to help everyday investors especially as they focus more on environmental and social issues. She called the N-PX forms that companies file “unwieldy, difficult to understand, and difficult to compare across fund complexes.”“It is high time to revisit this critical form and make it useful in creating needed...WW…

By , BOSTON/LISBON (Reuters) - A group of religious and socially conscious investors and other funds are ramping up pressure on Western companies over alleged human rights abuses in China’s Xinjiang region, highlighting the challenges for brands trying to maintain their business ties amid rising tensions.The group of more than 50 investors, backed by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, said it is in the process of contacting more than 40 companies, including H&M, VF Corp, Hugo Boss and Zara-owner Inditex, requesting more information about their supply chains and urging...…By , BOSTON/LISBON (Reuters) - A group of religious and socially conscious investors and other funds are ramping up pressure on Western companies over alleged human rights abuses in China’s Xinjiang region, highlighting the challenges for brands trying to maintain their business ties amid rising tensions.The group of more than 50 investors, backed by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, said it is in the process of contacting more than 40 companies, including H&M, VF Corp, Hugo Boss and Zara-owner Inditex, requesting more information about their supply chains and urging...WW…

By (Reuters) - Steep gains in shares of GameStop Corp and other stocks this week have been described as populist market revolts. But among those out ahead are some of Wall Street’s largest asset managers, which can realize gains both from their share stakes and from lending out stocks to short sellers.Slideshow Other beneficiaries include market-makers and trading systems that profit from huge volumes.Many investors have not yet realized their profits by selling shares, and some platforms could later face disillusioned retail customers who bought into the rally too late, said Larry Harris,...…By (Reuters) - Steep gains in shares of GameStop Corp and other stocks this week have been described as populist market revolts. But among those out ahead are some of Wall Street’s largest asset managers, which can realize gains both from their share stakes and from lending out stocks to short sellers.Slideshow Other beneficiaries include market-makers and trading systems that profit from huge volumes.Many investors have not yet realized their profits by selling shares, and some platforms could later face disillusioned retail customers who bought into the rally too late, said Larry Harris,...WW…

By Slideshow BOSTON (Reuters) - Total investments between the United States and China are much bigger than official figures reflect, a report released on Tuesday found, underscoring the challenge facing U.S. President Joe Biden’s foreign policy team at a cold point in relations between the two countries.“All sorts of people stand to lose a lot” should leaders continue to split apart the world’s two largest economies, said Adam Lysenko, associate director of research firm Rhodium Group.It wrote the report released by the National Committee on U.S-China Relations, an influential Washington...…By Slideshow BOSTON (Reuters) - Total investments between the United States and China are much bigger than official figures reflect, a report released on Tuesday found, underscoring the challenge facing U.S. President Joe Biden’s foreign policy team at a cold point in relations between the two countries.“All sorts of people stand to lose a lot” should leaders continue to split apart the world’s two largest economies, said Adam Lysenko, associate director of research firm Rhodium Group.It wrote the report released by the National Committee on U.S-China Relations, an influential Washington...WW…

By BOSTON (Reuters) - Using environmental, social or governance (ESG) factors to judge securities can offer protection against losses, helping drive the growth of the sector, several large investors said on Tuesday.But the latter group faced significantly less volatility. “I’ve never really met any investor who says I don’t want that investment that has the same return and less downside volatility,” Choi said, speaking at Reuters’ two-day ESG Investment North America conference.Currently about 25% of assets under professional management in the U.S. are run with some regard for...…By BOSTON (Reuters) - Using environmental, social or governance (ESG) factors to judge securities can offer protection against losses, helping drive the growth of the sector, several large investors said on Tuesday.But the latter group faced significantly less volatility. “I’ve never really met any investor who says I don’t want that investment that has the same return and less downside volatility,” Choi said, speaking at Reuters’ two-day ESG Investment North America conference.Currently about 25% of assets under professional management in the U.S. are run with some regard for...WW…

By BOSTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department said on Wednesday it will sell $112 billion next week in notes and bonds and that it plans to continue to shift more of its funding to longer-dated debt in coming quarters, as it finances measures to offset the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic.The Treasury said it expects its debt needs to moderate but remain elevated, after borrowing a staggering $2.753 trillion in the second quarter.“Treasury continues to face unprecedented borrowing needs as a result of the federal response to COVID-19,” Brian Smith, Treasury’s deputy assistant secretary...…By BOSTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department said on Wednesday it will sell $112 billion next week in notes and bonds and that it plans to continue to shift more of its funding to longer-dated debt in coming quarters, as it finances measures to offset the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic.The Treasury said it expects its debt needs to moderate but remain elevated, after borrowing a staggering $2.753 trillion in the second quarter.“Treasury continues to face unprecedented borrowing needs as a result of the federal response to COVID-19,” Brian Smith, Treasury’s deputy assistant secretary...WW…

United States BOSTON (Reuters) - Top Boeing Co () shareholder Vanguard Group voted against the company’s chairman Lawrence Kellner, citing “control failures” under its audit committee after two 737 MAX plane crashes, according to a stewardship report issued on Wednesday that will further pressure the planemaker. Boeing on Monday disclosed a relatively high number of critical votes were cast against Kellner and other directors at its annual meeting, and said a majority of votes were cast in favor of a shareholder proposal requiring an independent board chair. Vanguard also backed that...…United States BOSTON (Reuters) - Top Boeing Co () shareholder Vanguard Group voted against the company’s chairman Lawrence Kellner, citing “control failures” under its audit committee after two 737 MAX plane crashes, according to a stewardship report issued on Wednesday that will further pressure the planemaker. Boeing on Monday disclosed a relatively high number of critical votes were cast against Kellner and other directors at its annual meeting, and said a majority of votes were cast in favor of a shareholder proposal requiring an independent board chair. Vanguard also backed that...WW…