By Ross Kerber
(Reuters) – Top mutual fund firm Vanguard has resumed stewardship meetings with portfolio companies after reviewing new guidance from securities regulators, a document seen on Monday by Reuters shows.
Vanguard’s move follows a similar step by rival BlackRock last month. Both companies had paused meetings while taking stock of materials posted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that could require more disclosures from fund firms when they pressure portfolio companies over certain environmental, social or governance (ESG) matters.
The document seen by Reuters summarizes a message that Vanguard representatives are sharing with portfolio companies, aiming to underscore the passive design of its funds.
It states that considering the new SEC guidance, “and to ensure that companies understand that we invest and engage for investment purposes only, we are taking some steps to further clarify communications regarding our engagements with portfolio companies.”
Among other things, Vanguard will make proactive statements at the start of each meeting about the funds’ passivity, the document states.
“Vanguard’s Investment Stewardship team will continue to engage with companies with a singular focus on safeguarding and promoting long-term investment returns at the companies in which our funds invest,” it states.
A Vanguard spokesman declined to elaborate on the material.
(Reporting by Ross Kerber; Editing by Nia Williams)
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