Annual Meetings: Does a company ever support shareholder proposals?

It’s that time again for anyone who has shares of stock or mutual funds: annual meetings and proxy voting!

I’ve been going though the proxy voting process for years (I attended an annual meeting once, all I can say is ZZZZ) and I can’t remember any instance where the company (any company) supported a shareholder proposal. Has anybody ever seen that happen?

Usually, if the proposed action is one that the company is ready and willing to take, the shareholder proposal won’t be required. In many, if not most, cases, the company negotiates with shareholder proponents to have shareholder proposals withdrawn by making enough concessions to satisfy the shareholder. In those cases, the proposal never makes it to the proxy statement. So, if a proposal actually makes it into the proxy statement, it is practically certain that the company opposes the proposed action.

Thanks for response, hopesperson.

Looks like there is a fight a brewin’ at the New York Times:

Link