Right of Shareholders to Call Special Meetings

Resolution Text

RESOLVED: Shareholders of MSCI Inc. (“Company”) request our Board of Directors take the steps necessary to amend the appropriate company governing documents to give holders with an aggregate of 15% net long of our outstanding common stock the power to call a special shareowner meeting. This proposal does not impact our Board’s current power to call a special meeting.

SUPPORTING STATEMENT: Our Company allows the Board to call a special meeting, whereas Delaware law also permits companies to allow shareholders to call such meetings. Calling for a special shareholder meeting is hardly ever used by shareholders. However, management will be incentivized to genuinely engage with shareholders instead of stonewalling on issues if shareholders have a realistic Plan B option of calling a special shareholder meeting.

Often, companies claim that shareholders have multiple means to communicate with management and the board. Still, in most cases, these means are as effective as mailing a postcard. A reasonable shareholder right to call a special shareholder meeting is essential for effective shareholder engagement with management.

Over 72% of S&P 500 companies allow shareholders to call a special meeting. Between 2021 and 2023, at least 50% of shares at the following companies were voted in favor of shareholder proposals requesting that companies allow shareholders the right to call special meetings: Mosaic, Zoetis, Bloomin’ Brands, Synopsys, TEGNA, Cerner, Crown Holdings, Cetene, Agilent Technologies, Beckton Dickinson, Dollar Genera, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Kellanova.

Large funds such as Vanguard, TIAA-CREF, BlackRock, and SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (State Street) support shareholders’ right to call special meetings. For example, BlackRock includes the following in its proxy voting guidelines: “[S]hareholders should have the right to call a special meeting…”

With the widespread use of online shareholder meetings, it is much easier for management to conduct a special shareholder meeting, and our bylaws thus need to be updated accordingly. This proposal should be seen in the context that shareholders at our Company also have no right to act by written consent.

We urge the Board to join the mainstream of major U.S. companies and establish a right for shareholders owning 15% of our outstanding common stock to call a special meeting.

Increase Long-Term Shareholder Value

Vote FOR the Right of Shareholders to Call Special Meetings – Proposal [4*]