Feb 18 (Reuters) - BlackRock ( BLK ) has temporarily

paused meetings with some portfolio companies while studying the

impact of new reporting rules from the U.S. Securities and

Exchange Commission, according to people familiar with the

matter.

The top U.S. asset manager is among those affected by a

recent SEC interpretation requiring fund firms to file more

extensive ownership disclosures when they pressure asset

managers over certain environmental, social or governance (ESG)

matters.

News of BlackRock's ( BLK ) action was first reported by Semafor.