BlackRock gives proxy vote to retail investors of its biggest ETF

BlackRock said Monday that U.S. retail investors of its largest exchange-traded fund (ETF) will now have an opportunity to cast a proxy vote in 2024. 

The asset manager’s move could reduce criticism over the firm’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters, with fund clients now able to choose among voting plans from proxy advisers Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis & Co, including one that prioritizes climate considerations and a new ISS offering aimed at conservatives favoring company ma