DealLawyers.com Blog

The Fried Frank team recently released an activism outlook for 2026. Here’s what they’re predicting based on 2025 trends:

– M&A-Focused Campaigns on the Rise
– Emerging Activists Targeting Smaller Companies
– Private Settlements Over Public Proxy Fights
– Retail Investor Engagement Takes Center Stage
– Potential Changes to Quarterly Reporting Requirements

The first four are continuations of existing trends, but the last one of course is new. If the move away from quarterly reporting pushes forward, the Fried Frank team expects “activists may push companies to maintain quarterly reporting or otherwise report more frequently than semi-annually.” The alert suggests, “Even before any rule is adopted, boards should consider their position on this issue and be prepared to articulate their rationale.”

Programming Note: We’re starting our holiday blogging schedule tomorrow, which means that, absent some earth-shattering developments, this blog won’t be back until after January 1, 2026. Happy holidays, and best wishes to all of our readers for the new year!

– Meredith Ervine