The UPC Era Begins
SEPTEMBER 2, 2022
The indisputable fact about the universal proxy card (UPC) is that it is a far superior way for shareholders to exercise their voting franchise than the two-card system that has dominated proxy contests for decades. But like the kid that receives the hot new toy at Christmas, only to become frustrated by its complex instructions, proxy advisors and investors will have to carefully navigate the first few UPC contests. Although UPC contests will increase the workflow of institutional investors, many funds have ramped up teams to evaluate these situations in recent years, so they are likely well prepared for this shift.