ISS STOXX Governance Releases Annual Global Benchmark Policy Survey

ROCKVILLE, Md.  (July 21, 2026) – ISS STOXX Governance, a leading global provider of independent and objective shareholder meeting research and vote recommendations and unit of ISS STOXX GmbH, today announced the start of its Annual Benchmark Policy Survey, a key component of its annual policy development process exploring potential voting policy changes for 2027 and beyond, and gathering views on governance and other topics relevant to shareholder voting decisions. Institutional investors, public companies, corporate directors, and all other interested market constituents are invited to respond to the survey.

This year’s survey explores a range of emerging governance, accountability, and disclosure topics across global markets. It begins with board elections, including questions on slate elections globally, and on views of director tenure and independence in the United States. It then solicits views on virtual-only shareholder meeting practices in Continental Europe; on changes to a company’s incorporation jurisdiction or governing documents in the U.S. and Canada; and on the potential introduction of semi-annual financial reporting requirements for U.S. and Canadian companies and the possible implications. The survey then covers various executive compensation and board remuneration topics, including the disclosure of long-term incentive performance targets in the U.S., and, in Europe, the use of hybrid executive incentive plans and of equity-based compensation for non-executive directors. Questions then move to audit and auditors, with one for Continental Europe and one for Asia-Pacific markets. Finally, the survey invites views on situations where companies may reduce their climate-related disclosures due to changes in regulatory reporting requirements or risks, and on disclosures of nature-related risks.  

“ISS’ annual policy survey plays an important role in keeping our Benchmark voting policies informed by global market developments and a wide range of perspectives,” said Georgina Marshall, Chair of the ISS STOXX Governance Global Policy Board. “The topics in this year’s survey reflect key governance and stewardship questions currently facing investors and companies, and, consistent with past years, we welcome broad participation from the market.”

The survey is scheduled to close on August 14, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET.

In addition to the annual survey and in keeping with its long-standing practices, ISS STOXX Governance annually conducts a range of regionally based, topic-specific roundtable discussions as part of its annual policy development process designed to gather input from investors and others. These also factor into the update and development of ISS STOXX’s voting policy guidelines. As in prior years, after analysis and consideration of the survey responses and other key inputs, ISS STOXX Governance will open a public comment period for all interested market participants on key proposed changes to its Benchmark voting policies for next year. The open comment period is designed to elicit feedback from all interested market constituents on the practical implementation of key proposed policy updates before final policy changes for next proxy season and beyond are published later in the year.

This year’s Annual Benchmark Policy Survey can be accessed here.

About ISS STOXX Governance
ISS STOXX Governance is a leading global provider of independent and objective shareholder meeting research and recommendations, providing multiple voting policy choices as well as end-to-end workflow solutions. ISS STOXX Governance leverages its extensive global footprint, deep experience, high-quality data and analysis, unified client support, and technology infrastructure to continuously evolve and extend its innovative suite of solutions to meet clients’ evolving portfolio, fiduciary, and stewardship requirements.

About ISS STOXX 
ISS STOXX provides actionable insights through its comprehensive product offerings, proven expertise, and high-quality data that capital market participants around the world can use to inform their decision-making. Across indices, investment stewardship, corporate governance, sustainability, and fund intelligence, institutional investors and companies rely on us to help them manage investments, strengthen their governance practices, and bring new products to market. ISS STOXX, which is owned by Deutsche Börse Group, employs approximately 4,000 professionals operating across 34 locations in 20 countries. ISS STOXX’s clients include many of the world’s leading institutional investors and corporate issuers who turn to ISS STOXX for its objective and varied offerings.