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Norway wealth fund to oppose Exxon director over shareholder lawsuit

Norway's $1.6 trillion sovereign wealth fund said on Friday it will vote against the reappointment of U.S. oil giant Exxon's lead independent director, Joseph Hooley, due to the business's claim targeting climate activist financiers.

Exxon's case versus 2 little financier groups has actually raised alarm amongst activists, proxy consultants and some investors who argued it would muzzle dispute at public business.

Norges Bank Investment Management continues to position utmost value on the protection of shareholder rights and raises issue around the prospective impacts of litigation versus shareholders coming from the submission of a shareholder proposition, the operator of the Norwegian fund said.

NBIM is Exxon's sixth biggest shareholder according to LSEG information with a stake of 1.23%.

Investor proxy consultant Glass Lewis earlier this month recommended financiers vote against Hooley at Exxon's May 29 AGM, citing what it called the company's unusual and aggressive methods in pursuing a claim versus activist financiers.

Exxon has stated securities regulators have permitted a lot of resolutions to come to a vote, costing business cash, which it hopes its claim will assist bring about reform.

Norges Bank Investment Management will also oppose the re-election of Exxon Chair Darren Woods due to his dual function as CEO. The Norwegian fund believes that as a matter of concept the 2 positions ought to not be held by the exact same individual.

The Norwegian fund has opposed the election of Woods to the board every year considering that 2017.

(source: Reuters)