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May 16 (Reuters) - Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) shareholders on Tuesday voted to appoint the company's co-founder and former chief technology officer, JB Straubel, to the board, and rejected a proposal to publish a report that sought to establish succession plans for Chief Executive Elon Musk. Proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis had recommended that shareholders vote against Straubel's appointment, citing worries about his independence. Tesla shareholders on Tuesday swiftly voted with the board's recommendations on nearly all proposals. Shareholders also voted to re-elect Musk and Chair Robyn Denholm as board members. Tesla board members have discussed CFO Zach Kirkhorn as a possible successor as CEO, the Wall Street Journal reported last week, citing a person familiar with the matter.

☆ Shake Shack settles with activist investor, adds independent director
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But Shake Shack said on Tuesday that Engaged Capital would support the board's full slate of directors at the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders. The company has named Jeffrey Lawrence, former finance chief at apparel retailer FIGS Inc (FIGS.N) and Domino's Pizza Inc (DPZ.N), as an independent director. It has also mutually agreed with Engaged Capital to add another director with restaurant operations experience. Engaged Capital did not immediately respond to Reuters request for additional comments. In May, Shake Shack posted a smaller-than-expected first-quarter loss, benefiting from higher prices for its menu items that offset pressures from rising prices of beef and other cost pressures.

☆ Here's why the US economy is in much better shape than people think, according to top economist Paul Krugman
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The economy is doing better than people think despite widespread recession fears, Paul Krugman said. The top economist pointed to a strong labor market and falling inflation as signs of economic health. Sign up for our newsletter to get the inside scoop on what traders are talking about — delivered daily to your inbox. In an op-ed for the New York Times on Monday, Krugman pointed to widespread pessimism about the US economy, despite indicators that show economic activity is fairly healthy. The odds of a future recession have also been widely publicized through media reports, which could be creating a negative bias.

Disney on Tuesday asked a Florida court to dismiss a lawsuit by the board of supervisors that Gov. By signing that legislation, DeSantis essentially carried out the same action that the board is asking the court to take, Disney argued. Disney filed suit after the board voted to undo development contracts that the company says it struck to secure its investments. Disney expanded its lawsuit last week, accusing DeSantis of doubling down on his political vendetta by signing legislation to void Disney's development deals in Orlando. In March, the district's new slate of supervisors accused Disney of crafting "11th-hour" development deals intended to thwart the board's power over the 25,000-acre area.

☆ How Wall Street pros traded 7 of our Club stocks, including Salesforce, in the first quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Kevin Stankiewicz | In Kevinstankiewicz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Lots of Club holdings, including Nvidia (NVDA) and Alphabet (GOOGL), were among the stocks traded by some of Wall Street's biggest investors and money managers in the first quarter. That firm, Jeffrey Ubben's Inclusive Capital, had owned 1.63 million Salesforce shares at the end of December, worth nearly $217 million at the time. Jeff Smith's Starboard Value also sold some Salesforce shares in Q1, leaving the firm with 2.5 million shares at the end of March. Mason Morfit's ValueAct Capital amplified its Salesforce stake in the first quarter, ending with 3.5 million shares, up from just 560,221 shares at the end of 2022. Loeb's Third Point amassed 4.75 million shares of Alphabet, worth $492.7 million at the end of the first quarter.

ACCRA, May 14 (Reuters) - Ghana expects the International Monetary Fund to approve a first loan tranche of $600 million as soon as Wednesday, paving the way for disbursement within a week, Minister of State in the Finance Ministry Mohammed Amin Adam told Reuters on Sunday. Ghana is seeking $3 billion from the Fund to shore up its battered economy. On Friday, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Ghana's official creditors had provided the necessary financing assurances for the IMF Executive Board to look at signing off on the loan. Adam said he expected negotiations with both sets of creditors to go well once the IMF signs off on the loan. Adam said the government was also in talks with the African Development Bank for over $100 million for the stability fund.

☆ A 31-year market vet who called the current bear market warns an impending credit crunch and recession will sink stocks by 45% as valuations remain higher than dot-com bubble levels
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Indicators like initial and continuing unemployment claims and loan demand show weakness. A recession paired with high valuations spells trouble for stocks, he said. For example, the number of initial unemployment claims is starting to jump at a recessionary pace, Wolfenbarger said. The four-week moving average of initial unemployment claims has risen 29% over the last eight months. Hussman FundsWhat others are sayingMany market onlookers have highlighted high stock market valuations in recent weeks.

☆ A US Army colonel explains how jumping in to solve your team’s problems kills motivation — and what you should do the next time a crisis hits
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Susan Margolin | Kellog Insight | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

You may begin to question your team members and double-check their work as if it were your own. Let go of being a heroThe responsibility of senior leaders in any organization is to focus on the bigger picture and not be mired in tactical processes. "When you're in a position of authority, it's your responsibility to extend trust to the individuals on your team," Maddox says. This can mean relinquishing authority to provide team members autonomy to make decisions and learn. To do this, you need "multiple sensors" or viewpoints from your team members to get the full picture.

☆ ISS backs all four ValueAct director candidates in Seven & I boardroom fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Svea Herbst-Bayliss | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"A vote AGAINST company nominees Isaka, Goto, Yonemura, (Shinji) Wada and (Fuminao) Hachiuma is warranted." ISS said ValueAct is calling for a deliberate succession process for the CEO. On Tuesday, ISS extended support for ValueAct's campaign by endorsing all of its candidates and spelling out where the company has faltered. ValueAct and other investors had urged the company to undertake a strategic review and consider spinning off its 7-Eleven chain or selling the entire company. ISS said that ValueAct's nominees bring board experience, capital allocation and executive experience, and Levinson would add a shareholder perspective.

☆ ISS backs all 4 ValueAct director candidates in Seven & I boardroom fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Svea Herbst-Bayliss | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"A vote AGAINST company nominees Isaka, Goto, Yonemura, (Shinji) Wada and (Fuminao) Hachiuma is warranted." ISS said ValueAct is calling for a deliberate succession process for the CEO. On Tuesday, ISS extended support for ValueAct's campaign by endorsing all of its candidates and spelling out where the company has faltered. ISS said that ValueAct's nominees bring board experience, capital allocation and executive experience, and Levinson would add a shareholder perspective. ValueAct has experience on boards at Japanese companies, having won seats at Olympus and JSR Corp.

HOW THE LAWSUITS DIFFERDisney's lawsuit was filed in federal court and alleges that DeSantis violated the company's protections under the U.S. Constitution, including its First Amendment right to free speech. In contrast, the state court lawsuit against Disney focuses on the procedures the old board followed in approving the agreements with Disney. The Florida district is asking the state court to void the Disney agreements. The district could file a motion in federal court to ask Walker to dismiss or pause Disney's federal case while the state court proceeds. Legal doctrines hold that federal judges should refrain from hearing a case where there is a related state court proceeding, particularly when a state court decision could resolve the federal lawsuit.

☆ 'Recession is a done deal': A renowned market bear who called the dot-com bubble warns a deep and long downturn will destroy corporate profit margins — setting stocks up for disaster
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But as data continues to come out in the months ahead, Edwards says to pay attention to details beneath the headline numbers. Sure enough, revisions to February and March numbers reported on Friday paint a picture of a weakening labor market. "I think the recession will lead to a collapse in margins and profits and do a lot of damage." In terms of his view on the labor market, Edwards has company in Ian Shepherdson, the chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics. But bulls do remain, and they're betting on a scenario where inflation continues to come down — it hit 5% in March, down from its 9.1% peak last year — and the labor market remains intact.

Disney says the contracts were crafted to help lock in its long-term development plans amid escalating tension with DeSantis and his allies. "This feud between DeSantis and Disney is insane," Linda Stewart, a Democrat who represents Florida's 13th Senate district, told CNBC. Disney sued DeSantis and the board members last week, alleging a campaign of political retaliation led by the governor. In addition to voiding the development deals, the Florida Legislature passed a measure that would have the state transportation department conduct inspections of Walt Disney World's monorails. Earlier this month, the state education board approved an expansion of the classroom bill that kicked off the feud with Disney.

☆ Florida legislature approves bill allowing board to cancel Disney deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Under the bill, which now goes to DeSantis for signing into law, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board, appointed by DeSantis to oversee development in and around Disney's theme parks, can cancel agreements that were signed up to three months before the board's creation. It replaced the Reedy Creek Improvement District as the body overseeing the 25,000 acres surrounding the Walt Disney World resort. Disney, the largest employer in central Florida, and DeSantis, a Republican, have been feuding since last year, when Disney criticized a state measure banning classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity with younger children. DeSantis, who is expected to soon declare his candidacy for U.S. president, has repeatedly attacked "woke Disney" in public remarks. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board responded with its own lawsuit in a state court this week, saying it sought to void "backroom deals" favorable to Disney.

☆ Berkshire director: Buffett CEO heir an ideal fit, but changeover not imminent
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But Olson added that Abel is likely “a good number of years off” from taking over, with Buffett and Munger still on board. Buffett publicly designated him as his likely successor as CEO in 2021, after Munger appeared to let slip the board's thinking at that year's annual meeting. After Buffett departs, Berkshire is expected to name his eldest son Howard as non-executive chairman to preserve its culture, where business units operate essentially without interference from the top. Upon becoming CEO, Abel would likely experience "more formality" in his relationship with directors than Buffett, who took over in 1965, now has. "The bottom line is, not only is Warren satisfied, Charlie is satisfied that Greg ... will carry out that culture," he continued.

SummarySummary Companies Investors seeking more information on thermal coal plansGlencore calls on shareholders to reject resolutionLGIM's Marks says 'fundamental lack of willingness to engage'LONDON, May 5 (Reuters) - Investors pushing for more transparency on miner Glencore's (GLEN.L) thermal coal production said its decision not to support a shareholder resolution on the topic showed a "fundamental lack of willingness to engage". Unlike its peers, Glencore mines and trades thermal coal, the fossil fuel used to generate electricity. It has said it plans to responsibly run down its coal mines by the mid-2040s, closing at least 12 by 2035. "There is a fundamental lack of willingness to engage," said Michael Marks, LGIM's Head of Investment Stewardship and Responsible Investment Integration. Just 24% of investors voted against Glencore's climate progress report at the miner and trader's 2022 AGM, with some citing slow progress in scaling back coal production.

Under the bill, which passed the Republican-controlled legislature largely along party lines, the Central Tourism Oversight District Board - whose members are appointed by DeSantis - can cancel any deals signed up to three months before the board's creation. Disney, the largest employer in central Florida, and the Republican governor have been battling since last year, when Disney criticized a new state law banning classroom instruction of sexuality and gender identity with younger children. Before DeSantis' appointees took over the board, the company pushed through changes to the special tax district agreement that limited the new body's action for decades. The new oversight body in April said Disney's plans for potential expansion of Disney World did not comply with state law, and declared that agreement void. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board responded with its own lawsuit in a state court, saying it sought to void "backroom deals" favorable to Disney.

☆ ISS recommends Tesla investors vote against re-election of Robyn Denholm
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Companies Tesla Inc FollowSAN FRANCISCO, May 3 (Reuters) - Proxy advisory firm ISS on Wednesday recommended Tesla investors vote against re-election of board chair Robyn Denholm, citing concerns about a lack of the board's oversight over the pledging of some company stocks by CEO Elon Musk and his brother Kimbal Musk. "Pledging does inherently pose risks to ordinary shareholders, and the likelihood of a forced sale of pledged shares increases at a time when the share price (and therefore the value of the collateral) is already declining," ISS said in a report. "The aggregate value of the pledged position, as well as the likelihood of further increases, raise significant concerns," it said. Musk did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Judges and the National Labor Relations Board have found the company violated federal labor law in several other cases. The Memphis store is one of nearly 300 Starbucks cafes in the United States to unionize since late 2021. More than 540 complaints have been filed with the labor board accusing Starbucks of illegal labor practices such as firing union supporters, spying on workers and closing stores during labor campaigns. Starbucks has argued that the Memphis workers were fired for violating company safety policies and has said it respects the unionization process. Starbucks and Starbucks Workers United, the union waging the nationwide campaign, did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.

☆ Making these 5 moves can help you save big on the massive cost of college
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Sharon Epperson | In Sharoneppersoncnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

As the mother of a college sophomore and high school senior, I know thinking about paying for college is daunting. Financial aid is determined by income information that is not necessarily up to date. If your circumstances are now different, that should be brought to the financial aid office's attention, he said. If you're concerned about making ends meet based on the financial aid award letter your child has already received, you can still ask for more aid. "So performing well throughout your high school career is not only important for admission but also for scholarship awards."

The election came after World Bank board members interviewed Banga for four hours on Monday. Biden congratulated Banga on his "resounding approval" to run the World Bank, which he described as "one of humanity’s most critical institutions to reduce poverty and expand prosperity around the globe." "Ajay Banga will be a transformative leader, bringing expertise, experience, and innovation to the position of World Bank President," Biden said. "The Board looks forward to working with Mr. Banga on the World Bank Group Evolution process, as discussed at the April 2023 Spring Meetings, and on all the World Bank Group’s ambitions and efforts aimed at tackling the toughest development challenges facing developing countries," the bank said. The World Bank has been led by an American since its founding at the end of World War Two, while the International Monetary Fund has been led by a European.

Banga, 63, was nominated for the post by U.S. President Joe Biden in late February and was the sole contender to replace departing World Bank chief David Malpass, an economist and former U.S. Treasury official during the Trump administration. Sources familiar with the process said they expect Banga to win the board's approval handily after several meetings with board members in recent weeks and a formal interview on Monday. One of the sources said Banga had impressed World Bank shareholders in recent weeks as a "true change maker" who will help accelerate reforms at the global development bank. The World Bank has been led by an American since its founding at the end of World War Two, while the International Monetary Fund has been led by a European. Banga, who was born in India and spent his early career there, has been a U.S. citizen since 2007.

☆ White House considers two key nominations at the Fed - NYT
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

May 1 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden is closing in on two nominations for the Federal Reserve's Board and is likely to nominate Adriana Kugler for the position of governor and Philip Jefferson as the board's vice chair, the New York Times reported on Monday. Reporting by Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru, Editing by Franklin PaulOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 4 strategies for avoiding taking on too much student debt in college
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Steve Prezant | The Image Bank | Getty Imageswatch nowHere are four strategies high school seniors, and their families, can consider to avoid ending up deep in debt. "To reduce student loan debt, enroll at a less expensive college," Kantrowitz said, adding that public colleges often "provide just as good a quality of education." Families can continue saving in a 529 plan while their child is enrolled in college, Kantrowitz said. Meanwhile, more than $6 billion in scholarships are awarded to college students each year, according to Kantrowitz. According to calculations by Kantrowitz, around 1 in 8 college students has won a scholarship.

☆ DeSantis Disney oversight board votes to sue company over tax-district fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Ron DeSantis to oversee Walt Disney World's operations voted Monday to sue Disney in response to the company's recent federal lawsuit alleging a campaign of political retaliation by the governor. The panel, which challenged the company's long-standing self-governing status when it replaced a Disney-backed board weeks earlier, unanimously voted to authorize a lawsuit in state court. Disney sued DeSantis last Wednesday and the oversight panel in U.S. district court in Tallahassee, Florida. DeSantis, who is expected to announce his presidential plans after the Florida state legislature ends in early May, is considered a top contender against former President Donald Trump. But the extended row against Disney, one of Florida's top employers, has recently begun to generate criticism from some of DeSantis' fellow Republicans.

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