RiskMetrics, the corporate risk consultancy that acquired proxy adviser Institutional Shareholder Services at the start of the year is considering an initial public offering, reportedly leading to client concerns that ISS' impartiality might be affected.

The Wall Street Journal, part of the Dow Jones group that owns Financial News, reports some investors are concerned that pressure on a publicly traded-RiskMetrics to generate revenues might lead to ISS, which advises both companies and shareholders on governance, favouring its corporate clients.