Calvert Takes Harder Line on Corp. Rule Stretchers
Essentially, the new guidelines adopted by Calvert state
that the firm will not invest in companies whose corporate
governance and business practices have “compromised the
interests of shareholders”, though Calvert says it will
also avoid companies that have engaged in serious
securities fraud, and whose corporate governance is
significantly worse than that of its peers.
“Calvert’s social analysis has always included several
facets of corporate governance,” said Barbara J. Krumsiek,
President and CEO of Calvert in a press release. “Now, we
examine data on fifty-one separate issues pertaining to
corporate governance when conducting our company
analysis.”
Noting that firms with poor governance are “more likely to stretch the rules”, Calvert says those fifty-one items include:
- independence and diversity of boards and key committees
- compensation of executives and directors
- the quality and independence of auditors; corporate charters and bylaws
- the degree to which shareholders are informed and consulted on material items such as anti-takeover provisions and stock option plans.
Calvert has also published a special Web based report entitled Rebuilding: Corporate Ethics and Investor Confidence .