News digest for July 24, 2006

Filing Resolutions at Mutual Funds: The Next Frontier for Shareowner Activism?
While resolution-filing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues at companies is commonplace, the tactic is very rarely used at mutual funds.

Plaintiffs Attorneys Jockey for Backdating Cases
But plaintiffs attorneys are not waiting for indictments. They have already filed billions of dollars in lawsuits, and more are in the pipeline.

Push to end obsession with quarterly guidance
The call to end a practice that sets the US apart from the rest of the world came in a report released yesterday by the Business Roundtable Institute for Corporate Ethics — part of an organisation made up of 160 leading US chief executives — and the CFA Institute, which groups more than 80,000 analysts and fund managers.

Experts on Demand: A Match Made on Wall Street
Need to know how people are responding to a recently introduced drug? Bear Stearns might find a doctor who has prescribed it. Want to find out how satellite technology works? The firm could find you an engineer or consultant familiar with it.

The family ties that really bind
The practice of hiring family members, especially in the executive suite, raises questions about whether the company is tapping the most qualified candidate for the job or whether favoritism played a part in the hiring.

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