The activist moves represented a 36% increase compared with a year earlier and the busiest year since 2018, based on a report by investment bank Lazard.
Activists buy up stakes in companies to lobby for change that they hope will improve a target's share price. They tend to push for asset sales and management changes, with a growing focus on improving companies' environmental, social and governance (ESG) record.
Much of the activity was driven by the United States, where 135 new campaigns were launched - up 41% from a year earlier.
TotalEnergies, Unilever and Shell were also among 60 European companies targeted by activists, up 20% from the previous year and surpassing previous records in 2018, Lazard's 2022 Review of Shareholder Activism report showed.
(Reporting by Amy-Jo Crowley. Editing by Jane Merriman)
By Amy-Jo Crowley