By Kevin McCauley
Sard Verbinnen & Co. is surveying institutional shareholders of News Corp. about post-Rupert Murdoch leadership, its dual-class stock structure and other governance issues, according to a report by Bloomberg.
SV&C, which was hired by News Corp. in the wake of the phone hacking scandal, is offering COO Chase Carey for interviews, said Don Yacktman of Yacktman Asset Management. He thinks that’s a "nice gesture." Wall Street believes Carey’s elevation to the helm would put News Corp. back on track.
Key News Corp. shareholder Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has expressed support for the management of 80-year-old Murdoch.
News Corp. shares are down 11 percent to $16 since the Guardian reported July 4 that the now defunct News of the World hacked the phone of murdered teen-ager Milly Dowler.
George Sard, chairman and CEO of SV&C, declined to comment.
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