March 3 (Reuters) - Top mutual fund firm Vanguard has

resumed stewardship meetings with portfolio companies after

reviewing new guidance from securities regulators, a document

seen on Monday by Reuters shows.

Vanguard's move follows a similar step by rival BlackRock ( BLK )

last month. Both companies had paused meetings while

taking stock of materials posted by the U.S. Securities and

Exchange Commission that could require more disclosures from

fund firms when they pressure portfolio companies over certain

environmental, social or governance (ESG) matters.

The document seen by Reuters summarizes a message that

Vanguard representatives are sharing with portfolio companies,

aiming to underscore the passive design of its funds.

It states that considering the new SEC guidance, "and to

ensure that companies understand that we invest and engage for

investment purposes only, we are taking some steps to further

clarify communications regarding our engagements with portfolio

companies."

Among other things, Vanguard will make proactive statements

at the start of each meeting about the funds' passivity, the

document states.

"Vanguard's Investment Stewardship team will continue to

engage with companies with a singular focus on safeguarding and

promoting long-term investment returns at the companies in which

our funds invest," it states.

A Vanguard spokesman declined to elaborate on the material.