Icahn Apple buyback plan draws advisory fire

 ·10 Feb 2014
Apple Rain

Proxy advisory firm ISS said it recommends shareholders vote against activist investor Carl Icahn’s share buyback proposal for Apple Inc, according to a report obtained by Reuters on Sunday.

“(The Apple board) has returned the bulk of its U.S.-generated cash to shareholders via aggressive stock buybacks and dividends payouts,” the ISS report said. “In light of these good-faith efforts and its past stewardship, the board’s latitude should not be constricted by a shareholder resolution that would micromanage the company’s capital allocation process.”

Icahn is waging a campaign to get Apple to return more cash to shareholders and has filed a resolution proposing that it give back $50 billion more through share buybacks. Apple shareholders will vote on the proposal at a February 28 meeting.

Proxy advisory firm Egan-Jones also advised shareholders on Friday to vote against Icahn’s plan.

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