InsightSeptember 1, 2026

Navigating Governance in a Shifting Landscape: Ethic’s 2026 Stewardship Report

Ethic’s 2026 Stewardship Report

We’re excited to release our Annual Stewardship Report, detailing corporate governance trends, proxy voting insights, and our engagement initiatives.

Over the past year, market dynamics were defined by major shifts in SEC regulatory enforcement, heightened scrutiny surrounding executive compensation, and the growth of shareholder proposals related to AI, data centers, and immigration.

Key highlights from this year's report include:

  • SEC Policy Impacts: Shifting SEC guidance contributed to a 10% decline in shareholder proposals reaching ballots.
  • Voting Scale: We cast votes across 2,300 companies and 27,767 proposals, opposing management 35.8% of the time.
  • Engagement Capabilities: We helped clients with $1.8B in participating AUM support 27 engagements

Access the full dataset, case studies, and voting breakdowns in the complete report.

Download the 2026 Stewardship Report

Sources and footnotes

Ethic Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser located in New York, NY. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information pertaining to Ethic Inc’s registration or to obtain a copy of Ethic Inc.’s current written disclosure statement discussing Ethic Inc.’s business operations, services and fees is available on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Information website – www.adviserinfo.sec.gov or from Ethic Inc. upon written request at support@ethicinvesting.com. Information provided herein is for informational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Any subsequent, direct communication by Ethic Inc. with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative of Ethic Inc. that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where a prospective client resides. Information contained herein may be carefully compiled from third-party sources that Ethic Inc. believes to be reliable, but Ethic Inc. cannot guarantee the accuracy of any third-party information.

Ethic Inc. does not render any legal, accounting, or tax advice. Ethic Inc. recommends all investors seek the services of competent professionals in any of the aforementioned areas. Ethic Inc. cannot provide any assurances that any investment strategies, simulations, etc. will perform as described in our materials. ALL INVESTMENTS INVOLVE RISK, ARE NOT GUARANTEED, AND MAY LOSE VALUE. BE SURE TO FIRST CONSULT WITH A QUALIFIED FINANCIAL ADVISER AND/OR TAX PROFESSIONAL BEFORE IMPLEMENTING ANY STRATEGY.

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