From Yahoo Finance: 2025-05-17 10:30:00

Many big American companies are pulling back on DEI policies amid scrutiny, with Berkshire Hathaway investors rejecting measures to report risks associated with race-based initiatives and oversee DEI strategies. Shareholders are voting down anti-DEI proposals, showing fatigue with the topic, while pro-DEI proposals have also not gained support.

As of May 8, shareholders had voted against 17 anti-DEI proposals and 14 were omitted or withdrawn. Pro-DEI proposals have not fared better, with 44 on corporate ballots this year, none gaining shareholder support. Companies like Apple, Disney, and Goldman Sachs have seen anti-DEI proposals rejected by shareholders.

Some companies are stepping back from DEI programs, like JPMorgan Chase reducing diversity training and Disney cutting programs. Legal and political pressure to scale back DEI policies has increased, with warnings from the EEOC and DOJ. Shareholders at Costco rejected a resolution pushing for more disclosures on DEI practices.

AT&T and IBM shareholders backed down from anti-DEI proposals after policy changes. Pfizer won a challenge against an anti-DEI proposal, allowing it to remove the measure. Companies like Berkshire and JPMorgan Chase have adjusted DEI language in their reports, reflecting changing attitudes in corporate America.

Read more: From Berkshire to Levi, stockholders are saying ‘no’ to more DEI rollbacks