The correct spelling of "proxy statement" is /ˈprɑksi ˈsteɪtmənt/. The first syllable pronounced as "prahk-see" and the second syllable as "stayt-muhnt". A proxy statement is a legal document that a publicly-traded company must file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to disclose information about its annual meeting of shareholders. This document includes important information such as executive compensation, corporate governance, and director elections. It is important to spell it correctly in legal documentation to avoid any confusion or misinterpretation.
A proxy statement is a document that is required to be filed by a company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) prior to a shareholders' meeting. It serves as an important communication tool between a company and its shareholders, providing them with crucial information about matters that will be voted upon during the meeting.
Primarily, a proxy statement contains information about the issues to be presented for voting, such as the election of directors, approval of executive compensation, or amendments to the company's bylaws. It also includes background information on the company, its management, and its major shareholders. Additionally, the proxy statement discloses any potential conflicts of interest that may exist, such as transactions between the company and its officers or directors.
The document provides shareholders with instructions on how to vote on these matters, including the option to vote in person at the meeting or to authorize a proxy to vote on their behalf. Hence, the term "proxy" in the statement refers to the designated representative who will cast votes on behalf of shareholders unable to attend the meeting.
Proxy statements aim to ensure that shareholders are well-informed about the issues being voted upon, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding corporate governance matters. Companies are required to disclose accurate and complete information in their proxy statements to maintain transparency and accountability to their shareholders.
The word "proxy" originates from the Latin proximus, meaning "nearest" or "next". In English, it entered usage around the 15th century referring to a person authorized to act on behalf of another. The term "statement" comes from the Latin word statuere, meaning "to set" or "to place". In the context of a proxy statement, it refers to a document that sets forth information regarding the authorization of a representative to act on behalf of someone else, especially in a corporate context.