Gadfly A slang term for an investor who attends the annual shareholders meeting to criticize the corporation's executives. A gadfly addresses many issues for the shareholders, often grilling the management by asking difficult or embarrassing questions. Investopedia Says: Named after small insects that bite and annoy livestock, the gadfly looks to irritate a corporation's management until it acts on shareholder concerns. Questions regarding executive compensation or inconvenient annual meeting locations are often brought to light by a gadfly. A gadfly adds value for other shareholders by vocalizing their concerns and inciting action. Related Terms: Common Shareholder Dummy Shareholder Interested Shareholder Shareholder Shareholder Activist |