News and analysis
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IPOs, crypto and deregulation: The SEC prepares for a shift in 2026
Hot off the heels of his NYSE address, SEC chair lays out his vision for the Commission in 2026 and beyond On December 2, 2025, SEC chairman Paul Atkins rang the opening bell at the NYSE and delivered a keynote address titled Revitalizing America’s markets at 250. In a sweeping vision for the future of […]
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Hon Hai Precision Industry sweeps to victory with five trophies at the IR Impact Awards – Greater China 2025
Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry Co almost made a clean sweep at the IR Impact Awards – Greater China 2025 after its team picked up five awards. The New Taipei City-based firm picked up the trophies for best in sector – technology, best CEO letter and best buy-side management.
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From the sell side to the buy side and into IR, William Houston starts a new role at Unilever
‘It’s a company I’ve long admired, having analyzed it on the sell-side at UBS and Rothschild & Co Redburn and invested on the buy side as a portfolio manager at Norges Bank Investment Management,’ writes William Houston on LinkedIn as he joins the Unilever IR team. As well as his time on both the buy and sell sides, Houston spent almost six years at BAT, most recently as head of investor sustainability, investor relations. He has also been a regular voice in IR Impact articles – talking about the evolution of ESG data, for example – as well as sharing…
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Do ISS and Glass Lewis have too much influence? Yes, say most – but that doesn’t mean it’s not political
I’ve spent much of the past week having conversations with governance people – and one very small proxy advisory firm – about their takes on the debate raging around the influence of the big two: ISS and Glass Lewis. Recent weeks have seen talk of the ‘weaponization of shareholder proposals’; Elon Musk has famously described them as ‘corporate terrorists’; the Wall Street Journal reported that US President Donald Trump is considering an executive order to curb the power of the proxy advisors, as well as the fact that these two behemoths are facing an anti-trust investigation for their roles in…
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Inside IR at Itron: ‘Part of IR’s DNA is being immune to being surprised,’ says Paul Vincent
How do IROs leverage their expertise within their companies? For Paul Vincent, VP of IR at Itron, the core of IR lies not only in conveying the company’s message but doing so in a way particular to each investor and analyst. Itron supplies innovative technologies that help utilities and cities manage energy and water. Vincent believes IR should help management shape strategy based on its own best judgment, not by deferring to investors’ views. IR’s job, he says, is to understand every individual investor and analyst so thoroughly as to communicate management’s thinking in the way each is prepared to…
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CP Axtra and PTT Exploration and Production lead with three wins at the IR Impact Awards – South East Asia 2025
Two Thai companies – CP Axtra and PTT Exploration and Production – led the way at this year’s IR Impact Awards – South East Asia after each scooped three trophies at the event, held at the Singapore Exchange on December 2. Energy company PTT Exploration and Production won the award for best overall investor relations (large cap) while its head of IR Nattapol Tachavaraporn won the title of best investor relations officer (large cap). It also took home the trophy for the best use of social media and video. Meanwhile, retail and wholesale firm CP Axtra was recognized for best…
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The rising influence of retail investors in M&A votes
Retail investors are increasingly shaping corporate governance and M&A transactions, driven by accessible financial platforms and a growing willingness to exercise their shareholder voting rights. Unlike institutional investors, who have historically dominated shareholder votes, retail investors represent a dynamic and expanding bloc that companies must engage strategically. This article examines the rise of retail investor influence, key drivers of their participation and actionable strategies for corporations to leverage this trend in critical M&A votes.
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People moves: L&G brings in Andy Sinclair as its new chief strategy and investor relations officer
UK-listed investment manager Legal & General (L&G) has appointed Andy Sinclair as its new chief strategy and investor relations officer. In his new role, which he will take up in January 2026, Sinclair will report to CEO António Simões and will be a member of Andrew Kail’s CFO leadership team.
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‘Investors will leave money on the table if you don’t use AI’: four lessons we learned at the AI & Technology Forum – 2025
Unsurprisingly for those who read IR Impact regularly, AI is still considered one of the most transformative forces, not just for the IR profession, but for the capital markets in general. That may explain why more than 150 IR professionals gathered in New York in November to gain exclusive access to real-world case studies and insights from leading IROs, tech innovators and companies already using AI in their IR programs.
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The CFO: ‘I always tell my team to respect the conversation,’ says UEM Sunrise’s finance chief Hafiz Sulaiman
Occupying the CFO chair is a significant challenge in itself. But what happens when your company calls on you to also fill in for the CEO when they unexpectedly resign? This is exactly the situation that Hafiz Sulaiman, CFO at Malaysian property developer UEM Sunrise, found himself in. Just a few days after speaking eloquently at an event in Singapore about the power of IR to make a lasting impact on companies, he was unveiled as the officer in charge (OIC) at the company after the departure of former CEO Sufian Abdullah.
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‘It’s an opportunity to bridge two fast-growing markets’: Lessons from Emsteel Group on engaging Middle Eastern investors
As IROs look beyond traditional financial hubs to diversify their shareholder base, the Middle East represents a new and strategic capital venture. But with sovereign wealth funds, family offices and institutional investors playing an increasingly influential role in international markets, many companies still find the road to meaningful engagement in this region unclear.
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AI bubble or a soft landing? Looking at the data behind technology company valuations
The sheer numbers are overwhelming. Analysts estimate that 15 to 25 percent of the S&P 500’s value can be attributed to expectations of AI delivering substantial financial benefits for companies, which translates into 800 to 1,300 index points.
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How advanced data and analytical tools are elevating IROs to be strategic leaders
The IR role is entering a new era, one defined by data, speed and strategic influence. In a world where financial markets are driven by real-time insights and rapidly shifting narratives, IR professionals are no longer just corporate messengers. They are increasingly expected to be analytical thinkers, competitive strategists and trusted advisors to the C-suite and board.
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SEC steps back from no-action reviews, leaving proxy season on unstable ground
Regulator will reduce oversight of shareholder proposal disputes in a step critics say will leave investors in ‘legal limbo’ The SEC has changed its rules around how companies seek permission to exclude certain shareholder proposals from proxies, in a move that will make it more difficult for activists to force votes on contentious issues. Earlier […]
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‘We’re listed in the US but still haven’t had the chance to go to’: China’s ATRenew on engaging US investors when you can’t meet face-to-face
As a company that facilitates the buying, selling and recycling of pre-owned consumer electronics in China, ATRenew is counter-cyclical, with a model that stands to benefit when consumers look to save on that ‘new’ phone or tablet. Here, Xiaoyi (Jessie) Jin, financial communications and IR at ATRenew, talks to IR Impact about engaging local and international investors, ramping up analyst coverage and planning a trip to meet US-based shareholders – more than four years after listing on the NYSE. ATRenew is nominated in two categories at the IR Impact Awards – Greater China 2025: best buy-side management, best investor event…
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How companies can build a smart defense against takeovers
Public market valuations remain subdued, particularly across the UK mid-cap universe, while private equity firms continue to hold record levels of capital. In 2024 and into 2025, this imbalance has created fertile ground for takeover activity.
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Five things IROs can learn from the 2025 Corporate Governance Forum
The New York event brought together top governance professionals in an era when change can be quick and new stakeholders are entering the arena The 2025 Corporate Governance Forum brought together governance professionals, board members and advisers for discussions that included proxy disclosure, shareholder activism and the politicization of corporate decision-making. Across all panels, one […]
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People moves: Honeywell switches up IR leads ahead of aerospace business spin-off
US automation and technology firm Honeywell has appointed a new head of IR as its existing chief leaves to head up a new team at a soon-to-be spun-off company.
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‘We have radically rethought how to look at sustainability’: Christian Granquist on AP7’s new outlook
Christian Granquist joined AP7, one of Sweden’s national public pension funds – into which some 6 mn Swedes pay – in August 2025. Working alongside Jessica Eskilsson Frank, Granquist is senior portfolio manager, impact investments, climate transition at the globally invested fund that has total assets of around $150 bn. Before joining AP7, Granquist – who has a master’s in economics from Uppsala University – had a 10-year stint at Lancelot and worked at Handelsbanken for 13 years in a number of roles including chief investment strategist and co-head, equities. He talks to IR Impact about how the fund is…
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How pre-IPO investor relations shapes long-term market success
The IPO journey doesn’t start on listing day. Companies that treat investor relations as an afterthought until the opening bell often find themselves scrambling to build credibility when it matters most. The statistics tell a sobering story: approximately only one third of newly listed companies outperform their already-listed peers over the long term. Poor financial communication sits at the heart of this underperformance. Building relationships before you need them Establishing an effective IR function well before your IPO creates something money can’t buy on demand: trust. When analysts and investors already know your story, understand your business model and have…
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‘Show me the before-and-after, not just the highlight reel’: Jeannie Ong on what she looks for as an IR Impact Awards judge
Multi-award winner shares her thoughts on the Greater China and South East Asia judging Jeannie Ong, managing director, operating partner, investor relations at Temasek, is a seasoned IR Impact Award judge – this year taking on the mammoth task of both the Greater China and the South East Asia entries. She talks to IR Impact about how her own experience in investor relations helps her find the winners, the categories that are harder to judge and how IR across the region is evolving.
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The AI-empowered IRO: the three personas that can help you understand how best to approach AI
Investor relations is entering a period of rapid transformation. Investors are already using AI to screen disclosures, detect sentiment and benchmark performance across their portfolios. This growing analytical power on the buy side is changing expectations for speed, accuracy and insight. For IROs, the question is no longer whether to use AI, but how to harness it to match the sophistication of the investors they serve.
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Nuance over polish: Leveraging the conference calendar and other top tips for your 2026 meeting schedule
What do investors want when it comes to capital markets days (CMDs)? Or other Street-facing events for that matter? It was with that investor view in mind that Sylvie Harton, chief business strategy officer at Lumi Global – partner on the IR Impact Briefing: Making your 2026 investor meetings count – kicked off the conversation.
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Tesla: How do you get support for a $1 trn pay package? Give shareholders a slice of the pie
ISS is recommending against Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s $1 tn compensation package. Glass Lewis too. CalPERS and NBIM, manager of the world’s most valuable sovereign wealth fund, have each come out publicly against. But with the Tesla AGM happening today online and at Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas, one small, family-run proxy advisory firm – whose ESG-skeptic voting guidelines are offered by ISS, and which boasted the $57 bn Texas Permanent School Fund as the first state fund to sign up – is backing Musk’s compensation. ‘We’re strongly focused on the alignment of incentives,’ says Jerry Bowyer, CEO of Bowyer Research, who…
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People moves: Cabot Corporation promotes Robert Rist to be vice president of investor relations
Specialty chemicals and performance materials company Cabot Corporation has promoted Robert Rist to be its new vice president of investor relations and corporate planning.
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ANTA Sports Products leads pack with eight nominations at IR Impact Awards – Greater China 2025
ANTA Sports Products is leading the pack ahead of the IR Impact Awards – Greater China 2025 with eight awards nominations, with a trio of companies hot on their heels for a podium finish. The footwear manufacturer, which is based in China, is shortlisted across categories including best IR impact, best buy-side management and best overall investor relations (large cap). In a three-way tie for a close second place for the most nominations are Hon Hai Precision Industry Co and Primax Electronics, both based in Taiwan, and Hong Kong-based KLN Logistics Group.
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Why IROs need to understand generative engine optimization, or GEO: a beginner’s guide to the AI best practice
I probably shouldn’t admit this, but while I was gardening the other day – pruning a rather unruly hydrangea – I found myself mentally reviewing my IR program for the year. Yes, I do have a life outside of investor relations, but sometimes the brain wanders where it pleases. There I was, shears in hand, quietly checking off the usual suspects: upcoming press releases and investor campaigns, roadshows, the media strategy, stakeholder engagement, ESG reporting, etc. It all felt satisfyingly under control – until I realised there was one thing I didn’t know much about: generative engine optimization (GEO).
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PTT Exploration and Production scores seven nominations at IR Impact Awards – South East Asia 2025
Leading the nominations in seven distinct categories, PTT Exploration and Production once again tops the shortlists with the most nominations ahead of this year’s IR Impact Awards – South East Asia. The Thai oil major is in the running for seven awards, including best overall investor relations (large cap), best investor event and best sell-side management. Tied for a close second with the most nominations – with six shortlists each – are CP Axtra, Berli Jucker and Global Power Synergy from Thailand and Stoneweg Europe Stapled Trust, United Hampshire US REIT that are based in Singapore.
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The sell side talks IR – part four: analyst forecasts and negative ratings
How accurate do you find analyst reports on your company? And what do you do if you think there’s a mistake? How does a negative rating affect your relationship? We put these questions and more to hundreds of IROs around the world in a bid to craft a picture of the IR view on forecasts and ratings. Then, as with each of the themes in this sell-side-IR-relationship series, we put those findings to the analysts themselves in a series of in-depth, honest and anonymous conversations.
Spotlight Content
Off-season engagement highlights shifting views on ESG
Companies ponder how to keep talking about sustainability We’re coming to the end of ‘off season’ – when many companies go out on the road to engage with key institutional investors ahead of their annual shareholder meeting. According to a recent IR Magazine survey, around two thirds of IR teams say they have a program…
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