The Shareholder Activism Annual Review 2026
Activist investors put M&A back at the center of their playbook in 2025 — and momentum is building into 2026.
The Shareholder Activism Annual Review 2026 from Diligent Market Intelligence delivers comprehensive, data-backed analysis of global shareholder activism trends, including the surge in push-to-sell demands, rising opposition to announced transactions and the growing use of executive pay misalignment as a catalyst for broader governance change.
If you are tracking M&A activism, proxy fights, activist settlements, say-on-pay failures, board seat contests or global activism activity, this report provides the essential intelligence to stay ahead of the market.
What You’ll Learn
M&A Activism Hits a Five-Year High
- 29% increase in push-to-sell demands year over year
- Over 70 U.S. companies targeted for strategic transactions
- 20% rise in global M&A-focused campaigns
- Record levels of shareholder opposition to announced deals
Understand how improving financing and regulatory conditions reignited deal-driven activism — and why M&A is poised to define 2026.
Executive Pay Misalignment as an Activist Entry Point
- 25% of Russell 3000 companies that failed say-on-pay votes drew activist attention
- Leadership removals and board changes among the most common demands
See how compensation concerns are translating into full-scale governance and strategy campaigns.
Settlements Eclipse Proxy Contests
- 89% of U.S. board seat gains secured through settlements
- Contested vote wins down 20% year over year
- Withhold campaigns emerging as a lower-cost activist lever
Explore how activists are recalibrating tactics amid market volatility and regulatory shifts.
Global Shareholder Activism Trends
- 1,040 companies targeted globally in 2025
- Asia reaches a five-year high, led by Japan
- Europe activity softens, with the U.K. remaining a regional hotspot
Gain a regional breakdown of public campaigns across the U.S., Asia and Europe.
Activist Short Campaigns Surge
- 166 global short campaigns, up 55% year over year
- AI-focused technology stocks among the most targeted sectors
- New entrants reshaping the short activism landscape
Identify the most active short sellers and emerging players.
Who Should Download This Report?
- Corporate secretaries and governance professionals
- General counsel and in-house legal teams
- Investor relations leaders
- Board members and directors
- Hedge funds and institutional investors
- M&A advisors and investment bankers
- Proxy solicitors and defense advisors
Whether you are preparing for an activist approach, evaluating strategic alternatives, assessing executive compensation risk or monitoring global activism trends, this report provides actionable intelligence grounded in verified campaign data.
Why It Matters for 2026
With push-to-sell demands at a five-year high, rising scrutiny of executive compensation and a shift toward negotiated settlements over proxy fights, shareholder activism is evolving rapidly. Boards and advisers that understand these trends will be better positioned to anticipate activist strategies and respond effectively.
Download the Shareholder Activism Annual Review 2026 today for:
- Detailed campaign statistics and year-over-year comparisons
- Regional and sector analysis
- Tactical insights into activist strategies
- Rankings of the most prolific activists and short sellers of 2025
Register now to access the full report and stay ahead of the trends shaping shareholder activism and corporate governance in 2026.
