Asset Managers Under Fire: Antitrust and ESG Challenges

This chapter examines the controversial claims that major asset managers, like Vanguard and BlackRock, may engage in anti-competitive practices by influencing coal production through ESG initiatives. It analyzes recent lawsuits alleging an antitrust conspiracy against these firms and questions the ethics of their powerful voting rights in corporate governance. The discussion unveils the complexities of stewardship and accountability in the investment landscape, spotlighting the tension between environmental goals and market competition.