Thinking & Insights

In this issue of IR Insights, we speak with CEO of The Investor Relations Society, Laura Hayter reflects on the evolving role of IR. 

MUFG Corporate Markets’ Investor Relations experts have conducted their first annual survey, requesting insights from our issuer clients around the world, across a range of sectors. 

In this edition we will showcase comprehensive insights from the 2025 mini-AGM season. We also highlight key statistics, share success stories and provide a forward-looking perspective on how these findings will shape the peak AGM season ahead.

In our 14th edition of IR Insight, we take a deep dive into regulatory environments, market dynamics, and strategic economic visions across UAE and Australia with Harsh Vardhan, Investor Relations Executive at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. 

Each year, our team of experts help organise the most important event in our clients’ corporate calendar – your AGM. In 2024, MUFG Corporate Markets partnered with our clients to deliver over 630 meetings, across Australia and New Zealand. Having a global footprint provides us an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the opportunities and challenges issuers are facing across global markets allowing us to share more insights which we have also included.

Each year, D.F. King, a part of MUFG corporate Markets, publish their General Meeting Season Review report which looks at the highs and lows of the AGM Season, unpicks trends in investor voting behaviour and provides deep insight into how the year has played out for European issuers.

Orient Capital - Shareholder Data Insights - Quarter April – June 2024

We are delighted to present the findings and trends of share plan data over the last 12 months. This year, we analysed share plan data for over 200+ clients and 400+ plans managed by the MUFG Corporate Markets team in Australia. We observed trends in Executive Plans such as LTI and STI plans and broad-based plans such as gift shares, contribution plan and share matching plan.

Orient Capital - Shareholder Data Insights - Quarter January – March 2024

In this year’s mini snapshot, we examine the early insights on meeting trends and behaviours of both stakeholders and participants.

Orient Capital’s Shareholder Data Insights was released this week covering the first quarter of 2024.

In 2024, it’s more important now than ever for businesses to make sure they can defend themselves against cyber-attacks. As technology continues rapidly developing, cybercriminals have access to more sophisticated and unpredictable ways to commit crimes online.

Our March Spotlight shines a light on London-based Debi Millwood.

In this series of articles, Lee Cooper, Industry and Strategy Lead at Link Group, looks at the forthcoming digitisation of the UK shareholding framework, and sets out his considerations around the implications of proposed digitisation models, and which will be most suitable for companies, practitioners, and shareholders.

In this series of articles, Lee Cooper, Industry and Strategy Lead at Link Group, looks at the forthcoming digitisation of the UK shareholding framework, and sets out his considerations around the implications of proposed digitisation models, and which will be most suitable for companies, practitioners, and shareholders.

In this series of articles, Lee Cooper, Industry and Strategy Lead at Link Group, looks at the forthcoming digitisation of the UK shareholding framework, and sets out his considerations around the implications of proposed digitisation models, and which will be most suitable for companies, practitioners, and shareholders.

The recent Department of Workplace Pensions (DWP) Call for Evidence on Pot for Life has sparked lively discussions, and many concerns have been raised about the potential impact of marketing on member engagement.

Our February spotlight shines a light on Mumbai-based Corporate Markets Operations Head, Ajay Jaisingh, our part-time powerlifting, and fitness extraordinaire.

IFRS 16 is a new lease accounting standard which requires lessees to adopt a single lease accounting model. This means lessees must recognise nearly all leases ‘on balance sheet’, with a term of over 12 months, and recognising a right of use asset and a lease liability.

To show our pride in our people, we are shining a Spotlight on our team members each month.

Throughout 2023, Link Group managed 756 meetings in Australia and New Zealand. What is evident, is the AGM landscape has changed forever with hybrid meetings remaining favourable with Issuers and participants alike, allowing maximum engagement regardless of location.

In this edition of Orient Capital’s Insight interviews, we are delighted to share a truly insightful conversation focused on challenges, importance and trends with Sonya Ghobrial (Head of IR at Haleon) conducted by Orient Capital’s Przemyslaw Dakowicz (Market intelligence analyst).

One of the most significant changes we’ve seen in the global pension industry, is the increased desire and commitment to evolve services and foster innovation throughout the accumulation and decumulation phases, and the adoption of emerging and disruptive technologies to deliver real benefits to funds, members, advisers and employers.

Each year, our specialist shareholder engagement experts, D.F. King, a part of MUFG Corporate Markets, a division of MUFG Pension & Market Services, publish their AGM Season Review report which looks at the highs and lows of the AGM season.

In this edition of Orient Capital’s Insight interviews, we are delighted to share a truly insightful conversation focused on Branding, Reporting and Corporate Communications with Steve Kemp (Founder of Emperor) conducted by Orient Capital’s Paolo Casamassima (MBA, Head of Global Market Intelligence).

The quietness of the IPO scene in the UK has been recognised globally, and it’s even deterred certain companies from choosing to list on UK stock markets all together.

In this edition of Orient Capital’s Insight interviews, we are delighted to share a truly insightful conversation focused on environmental, social and governance issues (ESG) with Aurore Bardon (Founder and CEO of ESG Lab and Society).

Orient Capital’s Shareholder Data Insights for Australia was released this week covering the second quarter of 2023.

Job titles have never really been that important to me.

With the re-introduction of interest and bonus rates to Save As You Earn (SAYE) coming into effect this month, issuers and employees that are taking part in company share plans will surely be conscious about how these changes will affect their investments moving forward.

One of Link Group’s UK members of staff celebrated a very special anniversary this month.

In 2023’s ‘mini season’ AGM report, we examine the early insights on meeting trends and behaviours from stakeholders and participants.

Orient Capital’s Shareholder Data Insights for Australia was released this week covering the first quarter of 2023.

What are the barriers to social mobility within organisations?

AIM dividends surged to a new record in 2022. In our new AIM Dividend Index Report, we look at how 2022 and its final months shaped up and consider the outlook for 2023.

What’s next for investor relations in the Middle East?

Orient Capital’s Shareholder Data Insights for Australia was released this week covering the last quarter of 2022.

Is 2023 the year to float? We caught up with Jon Roast, Senior Manager, Capital Markets to find out.