Which entities are allowed to hold shares under certain exclusions to vote holder DTR?

Entities like custodians and market makers are allowed to hold shares under certain exclusions to the vote holder DTR (Disclosure and Transparency Rules). This provision recognizes the unique roles these entities play in the financial markets.

Custodians, who are responsible for safeguarding a firm's or individual’s financial assets, often hold shares on behalf of clients and do not have the intent to influence company decisions through voting. Market makers, on the other hand, engage in buying and selling shares to facilitate liquidity in the market but also do not typically engage in voting as their primary function is market making rather than holding long-term voting interests. By offering exclusions related to voting rights, regulators aim to balance market efficiency with corporate governance principles, recognizing that these entities play essential roles in facilitating trading and safeguarding assets without necessarily participating in the corporate governance of the companies whose shares they handle.

Other entities listed, such as individual shareholders, private equity firms, and corporations seeking mergers, typically do not fall under these specific exclusions concerning the vote holder DTR, as they are often directly involved in governance and decision-making processes in the companies whose shares they hold.