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BlackRock uses shareholder meeting to insist it follows version of ‘corporate purpose’ framework, push environmental priorities

BlackRock Inc., the world’s largest asset manager with nearly $7 trillion under its control, was pushed by shareholders Thursday to better defend its stance in support of mindfully investing to slow climate change. Pressed on climate topics, CEO Larry Fink and others defended the company’s approach to proxy voting, on which it has pledged to take a harder line. Company officials renewed attention on BlackRock’s support for corporate climate-impact reporting. Shareholders also pressed the asset manager BLK, +0.08% for a plan on how it is planning to implement the Business Roundtable’s “New Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation.” The preliminary vote on this topic earned 3.85% in favor, which exceeds the threshold needed to bring this new resolution forward in 2021.Read Full Article - MarketWatch, May 22, 2020