Activist Investors Shun Canada; Demands Are At Lowest Level In 5-Years

Shareholder activism on course for its weakest year in Canada since 2011.

The number of Canada-based companies publicly subjected to demands from activist investors is at its lowest level in five years, according to research by data provider Activist Insight.

As of November 25, 44 companies had been targeted in 2016 – a 17% fall from last year’s record-breaking 53 at the same point in the year. In 2015 as a whole, 60 companies were targeted, up from 54 in 2014 and 51 in 2013. Based on trends in prior years, Activist Insight predicts that 2016 will see approximately 49 companies targeted – the first time the number has fallen below 50 since 2011.