Preparing for Proxy Season 2025 Report featuring DFIN Commentary

Equilar recently released its annual “Preparing for Proxy Season” report, based on analysis of the proxy statements including CD&A’s of the Equilar 100 companies (the 100 largest US companies by revenues) from 2020 through 2024. DFIN was asked to provide independent commentary for the report, adding insight and advice to the numbers.

Key data in the report includes:

Investment Companies 2025 Outlook

What lies ahead for the global investment industry in 2025? From navigating the post-Tailored Shareholder Reports (TSR) world to charting new territories on AI — both alternative investments and artificial intelligence — to measuring the impact and influence of new global requirements, we can expect more change with greater momentum. In this article, Eric Johnson, DFIN’s president of Global Investment Companies, addresses the top questions facing fund and asset companies heading into 2025.

Strong Investor Relations Drives Market Success

I recently had the opportunity to share my thoughts on leadership and investor relations in IR Update, a quarterly magazine published by the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI). As a CEO, I believe that strong Investor Relations (IR) is the cornerstone of success for publicly traded companies. IR is not just a function; it's the bridge connecting companies with the capital markets, ensuring that vision, strategy, and value proposition are clearly communicated.

New Investment Company Names Rule Drives Refined Investment Focus

The SEC has amended the 2001 fund “Names Rule” and the resulting changes likely affect a fund’s investment policy, disclosures and reporting obligations. The original rule addressed certain broad categories of investment company names that can mislead investors about the company’s investments and risks. The recent amendment significantly expands the scope of the original ruling.

Cloud Solutions for Efficient ACFR and Government Financial Reporting

Struggling with complex Annual Consolidated Financial Reports, (ACFR), Budgeting, and other reporting tasks? Cut through the tangle of financial reporting with effective government financial reporting software. Expect to find practical insights into cloud-based innovations and collaborative techniques that bring simplicity and precision to your ACFR, Budget and other reporting process, meeting the pressing demand for compliance and accuracy in financial and other disclosure.

SEC Approves New SPAC Rules and Amendments to Enhance Investor Protections

Last Wednesday, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted 3-2 to adopt rules that make SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) deals similar to traditional IPOs. 

The SEC Private Fund Advisers Rule – Key Takeaways

On June 5, 2024, a petition for review was filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). As a result, this rule affecting Private Funds has been vacated. The final ruling was that the SEC had exceeded its statutory authority in adopting the Final Rule

Want Cyber Safety? Focus on Your Data

DFIN CISO, Dannie Combs, talks with Katie Kuehner-Hebert of StrategicCIO360 about how IT professionals can best protect their organizations. 

In a Q&A, they discuss risk management strategies, how organizations can get better visibility into their data, why managing identities is such an important part of an organization’s cybersecurity strategy, and the latest data regulations companies need to be aware of.

Investment Companies 2024 Outlook

As we reflect on 2023 and look toward 2024, it’s clear that the fintech industry is experiencing an unprecedented period of change in terms of regulatory proposals, technology and data. In this article, Eric Johnson, DFIN’s president of Global Investment Companies, shares his view on the key factors shaping the industry now.

SEC regulations and the rise of structured data

During the last few years, we’ve seen both the volume and the pace of SEC regulations increase exponentially, with no slowdown in the immediate future.

Form N-CSR Share Repurchase Disclosure iXBRL Mandate

Listed closed-end fund shareholder reports dated June 30, 2024, may have to comply with more than one XBRL mandate

Currently, Form N-2 registrations that are filed pursuant to General Instruction A.2 must tag applicable prospectus disclosure items using inline XBRL (iXBRL), which are included in Form N-CSR using the Closed-End Fund (CEF) taxonomy.