Among the many startling and instructive insights from Sullivan & Cromwell's newly released "Review and Analysis of 2019 U.S. Shareholder Activism" is that nearly 50% of companies that added activist director designees in 2017 and 2018 had as of this year either been sold or had engaged in a meaningful divestiture following the activist joining the board. The report includes numerous statistics and helpful analysis and commentary that increase awareness and can facilitate enhanced preparedness for an activist scenario at any company.
See also these prior reports: "Active Asset Managers Speak! Views on Activism," "Activist Settlements Are No Panacea," and "Shareholder Activism Preparedness," and additional information & resources on our Shareholder Activism page. This post first appeared in the weekly Society Alert!