Proxy Statement (Form DEF 14A)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 |
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 |
1
SS&C Notice of 2025 Annual Meeting of
Leading alternative fund
administration and mutual
fund transfer agency
About
Technologies
SS&C Blue Prismrecognized for the 7th year as an RPA leader in
SS&C Black Diamond Wealth Platformnamed winner in the Portfolio Management category byFamily Wealth Report Awards 2024.
SS&C Advent (Advent Portfolio Exchange and
SS&C Algorithmicsranked the best market risk management product of the year byRisk Markets Technology Awards 2024.
*excludes shares held by our CEO
For close to 40 years,
2024 Company Highlights and Awards
8 |
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70% |
97% |
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Consecutive years of increased dividends since 2017 |
Capital returned to shareholders via buybacks and dividends |
Engagement of 14 out of our top 20 shareholders, and approximately 58% shares outstanding* |
Average asset management customer satisfaction rating |
Notice of 2025 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders
The Board of Directors of
2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The Annual Meeting will be held online atwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SSNC2025 Stockholders as of |
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How to Vote |
Voting Items |
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VOTE BY INTERNET Before the meeting- Registered Owners visit www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode below Use the internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by During the meeting- Registered Owners visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SSNC2025 |
Proposals |
Board Vote |
For Further |
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1.
To elect three Class III Directors to the Board of Directors, to serve for a term ending at the 2028 annual meeting or until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified
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"FOR"each director nominee |
Page9 |
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2.
To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers
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"FOR" |
Page30 |
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VOTE BY TELEPHONE Registered Owners in the Vote by |
3.
To ratify the selection of
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"FOR" |
Page57 |
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4.
To approve the
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"FOR" |
Page59 |
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VOTE BY SCANNING By scanning this QR code using your tablet or smartphone Scan this QR code to vote with your mobile device (may require free software) |
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And to transact any other business that is properly presented at the meeting. |
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Your vote is important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you plan to attend the 2025 annual meeting virtually, we hope you will take the time to vote your shares. If your shares are held in "street name," meaning held for your account by a bank, broker or other nominee, you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow for your shares to be voted. Even if you plan to attend the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, please vote. You can change your vote at the meeting if you choose to do so. By Order of the Board of Directors,
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VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and retuit in the postage-paid envelope to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, To vote you will need the Control Number included on your proxy card, voting instructions form or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. The telephone and internet voting facilities will close at |
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Important Notice Regarding Availability of Proxy Materials for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on We are first making available and/or mailing this proxy statement and the accompanying proxy at no charge on or about This proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended |
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1 |
"Our Company reported record revenues and earnings. The higher growth reflects our focus on client service, expansion of our capabilities, and investment in our people."
Letter from
our CEO and
Chairman
Dear Fellow Stockholders, Thank you for your continued confidence. Our Company reported record revenues and earnings. The higher growth reflects our focus on client service, expansion of our capabilities, and investment in our people. In 2024, Additionally, this year we completed the acquisition of Battea Class Action Services, which is a natural cross sell. The opportunity for lift outs, client growth, geographic expansion, and continued implementation of DomaniRx is exciting. We remain committed to maximizing shareholder value and continue to believe in our stock. With industry tailwinds in financial services and with potential for improvement in the M&A markets, we are focused on driving opportunity. Sincerely, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer |
2 |
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"Our Board of Directors remains focused on long-term value creation for our shareholders."
Letter from our
Lead Independent
Director
Dear Fellow Stockholders, As Lead Independent Director of the SS&C Board of Directors, I am pleased to report that Our Board of Directors remains focused on long-term value creation for our shareholders. We continue to invest in our business, improve our offerings, and develop our top talent. Our client service focus is a top differentiator and contributes to our strong customer retention rate. We remain committed to listening to our customers and shareholders and keeping up with applicable legal and regulatory requirements in a fast-changing world. Our Board continues to engage with shareholders, and incorporating their feedback into the Board's decision-making process remains a priority. From As part of our ongoing effort to ensure the success and long-term growth of the company, the Our Board continues to keep investors, customers, employees, and partners top of mind. We look forward to strengthening the business via accretive acquisitions, pursuit of strategic initiatives and further strengthening of our financial results. On behalf of Sincerely, Lead Independent Director |
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Table of Contents
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Appendix B: |
78 |
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25 |
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28 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This proxy statement contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often use words such as "anticipate," "target," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "believe" or other words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements provide No reports, documents or websites that are cited or referred to in this proxy statement shall be deemed to form part of, or to be incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement. |
4 |
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2025 Proxy
Summary
This summary highlights information relevant to certain proposals being voted on at the Annual Meeting. Additional discussion of these proposals is contained elsewhere in this proxy statement, which we encourage you to review in its entirety.
Annual MeetingOverview
Date and Time at |
Location Virtual meeting: |
Record Date |
VotingMatters
Proposal |
Board Recommendation |
Page |
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1 |
Election of Class III Directors |
FOR |
9 |
2 |
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation |
FOR |
30 |
3 |
Ratification of |
FOR |
57 |
4 |
Approval of |
FOR |
59 |
Election of Class III Directors
The Board recommends that you vote "FOR" the election of each of the below nominees to serve as Class III Directors until the 2028 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
NOMINEES |
DIRECTOR SINCE |
INDEPENDENT |
CURRENT COMMITTEES |
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2015 |
Audit (Chair) |
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1986 |
None |
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Chairman of the Board, |
2025 |
None |
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5 |
PROXY SUMMARY
SS&
Accountability |
Respect |
Innovation |
Community |
Focus |
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We are responsible for |
We demand the |
Our commitment |
We pride ourselves |
We relentlessly create |
2024 Performance Highlights
We are pleased with the Company's operating performance in 2024, as shown by these results:
GAAP Diluted EPS 25.5% from 2023 |
Net Income(1) 25.3% from 2023 |
GAAP Revenue 6.9% from 2023 |
$5.41 Adjusted Diluted EPS(2) 16.3% from 2023 |
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Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA(2) 8.2% from 2023 |
Adjusted Revenue(2) 6.9% from 2023 |
Generated net cash from operating activities 14.3% from 2023 |
2.89x Consolidated net leverage ratio from 3.05x at end of 2023 |
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6.1% Organic revenue growth from 2023 |
Repurchased treasury stock 56.4% from 2023 |
Net debt repayments |
Dividends paid 10.9% from 2023 |
22,000 clients |
27,000 associates worldwide |
100+ office locations in 35 countries |
$3T+ assets under administration |
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6 |
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PROXY SUMMARY
StockholderEngagement
Our Board considers the feedback of our stockholders as critical to our long-term growth and success and values the input provided when making decisions for our company. Our discussions with stockholders often relate to our executive compensation program and governance matters. We analyze the feedback we receive from our stockholders and discuss it with our independent compensation advisors at
As described in our 2023 and 2024 proxy statements, the Compensation Committee has taken specific actions in recent years to enhance our executive compensation program in direct response to feedback from our stockholders, including with respect to our annual cash bonus program, long-term incentive programs, as well as providing detailed and transparent disclosure of our compensation decisions, including the following:
For additional details regarding the enhancements made to our executive compensation program in recent years, see the Compensation Discussion & Analysis continuing on page31of this proxy statement.
In 2024, given stockholders' continued support and satisfaction with these actions, no additional specific changes were made to our executive compensation programs. We continue to maintain an active dialogue with our stockholders and evaluate feedback on issues of importance to them.
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7 |
PROXY SUMMARY
Commitment to Strong Corporate Governance Practices
We believe good corporate governance and high ethical standards are important for us to achieve success and create long-term value for our stockholders. Among our other practices, the following highlight our commitment to corporate governance:
8 |
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Proposal 1:
Election of Class III Directors
BoardStructure
Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for a classified Board. This means the Board is divided into three classes, with each class having as nearly as possible an equal number of directors. The term of service of each class of directors is staggered so that the term of one class expires at each annual meeting of our stockholders.
Number ofBoard Members
The Board currently consists of eight members, divided into three classes as follows:
Class I • • • Term ending at the 2026 annual meeting |
Class II • • Term ending at the 2027 annual meeting |
Class III • • • Term ending at the 2025 annual meeting |
Board Member Elections
At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors are elected for a term of three years to succeed those directors whose term is expiring.
Unless otherwise instructed in the proxy, all proxies will be voted "FOR" the election of each of the nominees identified above to a three-year term ending at the 2028 annual meeting, to hold office until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until the director's earlier death, removal, or resignation.
Each of the nominees has indicated his or her willingness to serve on the Board, if elected. If any nominee is unable to serve, the person acting under the proxy may vote the proxy for a substitute nominee designated by the Board or the Board may reduce its size. If a Class III director nominee fails to receive a majority in voting power of the votes cast, the director must tender his or her resignation to the Board.
The board of directors recommends that you voteFORthe election of |
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9 |
Election of Directors
Class III Director Nominees to be Elected at the 2025 Annual Meeting
Independent Retired Chief Financial Officer - Credit Hedge Funds and Deputy Chief Financial Officer - Credit Funds, Director since 2015 |
Chairman Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Director since 1986 |
Independent Chairman of the Board, Director since 2025 |
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A |
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KEY
A |
Audit Committee |
10 |
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Election of Directors
Board Skills and Experience Matrix
Our directors collectively possess the expertise, leadership skills, and experiences and backgrounds to oversee management's execution of its growth strategy and protect long-term stockholder value. The skills and experience matrix below summarizes the qualifications of our directors and more detailed information can be found in the director biographies beginning on page13.
Director Skills and Experience |
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Executive Leadership |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
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Governance/Public Company Board |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
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Industry Experience |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
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Investments/Strategy and Corporate Development |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
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Financial Expertise |
•* |
• |
• |
• |
•* |
•* |
• |
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Risk Management |
• |
• |
• |
• |
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Client Relations/Sales/Marketing |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
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Innovation, Data and Technology Services |
• |
• |
• |
• |
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Audit and Accounting |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
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• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
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Complex Organization Leadership Skills |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
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* Directors currently serving on the Audit Committee who have been determined to be Audit Committee financial experts by the Board.
14 |
88% |
3 |
66 |
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average years tenure of our directors |
of our directors are independent |
new directors added over past 10 years |
average age of our directors |
The skills and experience categories listed in the above chart are described in more detail below:
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11 |
Election of Directors
12 |
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Election of Directors
Director Biographies
The following table and biographical descriptions provide information relating to each director and director nominee, including her/his age and period of service as a director of the Company, her/his committee memberships, her/his business experience for at least the past five years, including directorships at other public companies, and certain other information.
Class III Directors NOMINEES TO BE ELECTED AT THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING
Independent Director since:2015 Age:64 Term Expires:2025 Committees:Audit Committee (Chair) |
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Retired Chief Financial Officer - Credit Hedge Funds and Deputy Chief Financial Officer - Credit Funds, |
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Principal Occupation, Business Experience, and Directorships Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, and Skills Supporting Directorship Position on the Company's Board The Board has concluded that |
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Director since:1986 Age:70 Term Expires:2025 Committees:None |
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Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, |
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Principal Occupation, Business Experience, and Directorships Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, and Skills Supporting Directorship Position on the Company's Board The Board has concluded that |
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13 |
Election of Directors
Independent Director since:2025 Age:65 Term Expires:2025 Committees:None |
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Chairman of the Board, |
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Principal Occupation, Business Experience, and Directorships |
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Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, and Skills Supporting Directorship Position on the Company's Board The Board has concluded that Mr. d'Archirafi should serve as a director because he has extensive experience running large global enterprises in executive and board capacities, as well as expertise in financial services, mergers and acquisitions and securities services, and extensive executive and operational experience in large financial services companies. |
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Class I Directors
Independent Director since:2006 Age:63 Term Expires:2026 Committees:None |
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Vice Chair of the Board, |
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Principal Occupation, Business Experience, and Directorships On Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, and Skills Supporting Directorship Position on the Company's Board The Board has concluded that |
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14 |
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Election of Directors
Independent Director since:2011 Age:63 Term Expires:2026 Committees:Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee (Chair) |
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Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, |
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Principal Occupation, Business Experience, and Directorships Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, and Skills Supporting Directorship Position on the Company's Board The Board has concluded that |
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Independent Director since:2014 Age:69 Term Expires:2026 Committees:Compensation Committee |
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Retired Partner, |
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Principal Occupation, Business Experience, and Directorships Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, and Skills Supporting Directorship Position on the Company's Board The Board has concluded that |
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15 |
Election of Directors
Class II DirectorS
Independent Director since:2010 Age:71 Term Expires:2027 Lead Independent Director Committees: |
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Retired Chief Executive Officer, |
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Principal Occupation, Business Experience, and Directorships Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, and Skills Supporting Directorship Position on the Company's Board The Board has concluded that |
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Independent Director since:2024 Age:64 Term Expires:2027 Committees: |
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Former Chief Revenue Officer, |
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Principal Occupation, Business Experience, and Directorships Ms. Ms. Walton-Ruskin speaks globally on diversity and leadership and the importance of ESG more broadly, and currently serves on the board of Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, and Skills Supporting Directorship Position on the Company's Board The Board has concluded that Ms. Walton-Ruskin should serve as a director because she has extensive experience in the global financial services industry, the computer and information services industry, and the management of complex technology organizations. |
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16 |
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Election of Directors
Executive OfficersWho Are Not Directors
Certain information regarding our executive officers, who are not directors, is set forth below. Generally, the Board elects our officers annually, although the Board or an authorized committee of the Board may elect or appoint officers at other times.
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Age |
Position(s) |
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50 |
President and Chief Operating Officer |
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59 |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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55 |
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
Age:50 |
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President and Chief Operating Officer |
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Business Experience |
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Age:59 |
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Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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Business Experience |
Age:55 |
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Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
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Business Experience |
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17 |
Election of Directors
Criteria andSkills of Director Nominees
In considering whether to recommend any particular candidate for inclusion in the Board's slate of recommended director nominees, the
PROFESSIONALISM Nominees should have a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards. |
EXPERTISE Nominees should demonstrate business acumen, experience and an ability to exercise sound judgments in matters that relate to the current and long-term objectives of the Company, and an ability to contribute positively to the decision-making processes of the Company. |
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COMMITMENT Nominees should have a commitment to understanding the Company and its industry and to regularly attending and participating in meetings of the Board and its committees. |
AWARENESS OF CONSTITUENT INTERESTS Nominees should have the ability to understand the sometimes conflicting interests of stockholders, customers, employees and other constituencies of the Company, and should not have, or appear to have, a conflict of interest. |
In terms of criteria for composition of the Board and Board committees, the
The director biographies above describe each nominee's experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led the Board to conclude that he or she should continue to serve as a member of the Board. Our Board believes that each of the nominees has realized significant professional and personal achievements and possesses the background, talents and experience that are necessary for the Company's success and the creation of stockholder value.
Director Nomination Process
The process followed by the
REQUESTING ·
Board Chair
·
Other Directors
·
Consulting Firms
·
Management
·
Stockholders
·
Third-party search firm
·
Other Interested Parties
|
EVALUATION ·
Biographical Information
·
Expertise
·
Diligence
·
Ethical Standards
|
CONDUCTING ·
Nominating and
Governance Committee ·
Board Chair
·
Officers
·
Advisors
|
RECOMMENDATIONS Successful candidates are recommended by the |
FINAL REVIEW Board Vote |
Through this process, including consultation by the
18 |
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Election of Directors
Stockholders may recommend individuals to the
TO RECOMMEND A DIRECTOR CANDIDATE, SEND AN EMAIL TO: |
Assuming that appropriate biographical information and background material is provided on a timely basis, the
Stockholders also have the right under our Bylaws to directly nominate director candidates, without any action or recommendation on the part of the
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
The Company is a party to a Stockholders Agreement, as amended, with
Succession Planning
Succession planning is a top priority for the Board and
BoardSize
The Board sets the number of directors from time to time by a resolution adopted by the Board. The Board has the flexibility to increase or decrease the size of the Board as circumstances warrant. There are currently eight members of the Board, including
Director Service onOther Public Company Boards
The Board recognizes that service on other public company boards provides directors valuable experience that benefits the Company. The Board also believes, however, that it is critical that directors dedicate sufficient time to their service on the Company's Board. Directors are expected to advise the Chair of the
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19 |
Election of Directors
Board Determination of Independence
Under the applicable rules of the
Board Meetings and Attendance
During the fiscal year ended
Director Attendance atAnnual Meeting of Stockholders
We do not have a formal policy regarding directors' attendance at annual meetings, but all of our directors are encouraged to attend our annual meetings. All of our then Board members attended our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Board LeadershipStructure and Composition
Role of the Lead Independent Director
The Corporate Governance Guidelines require the Board to designate a Lead Independent Director, based on the recommendation of the
Board Membership Changes
As previously announced on
20 |
|
Election of Directors
BoardCommittees
The Board directs the management of our business and affairs, as provided by
The table below shows current membership and indicates the chairperson (*) for each of the standing Board committees.
AUDIT •
•
•
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COMPENSATION •
•
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NOMINATING AND GOVERNANCE •
•
•
|
The Board has determined that each member of each of the Board's three standing committees is independent as defined under the rules of Nasdaq, including, in the case of each member of the Audit Committee, the independence requirements contemplated by Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), and including, in the case of each member of the Compensation Committee, the independence requirements contemplated by Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act and Nasdaq rules.
(Chair) Members: Meetings in 2024: 8 Our Audit Committee assists the Board in its oversight of (i) the integrity |
Audit Committee The Audit Committee's responsibilities, as set forth in its charter, include: •
appointing, evaluating, retaining and, when necessary, terminating the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm;
•
overseeing and assessing the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm;
•
setting the compensation of our independent registered public accounting firm and pre-approving all audit services to be provided to the Company;
•
pre-approving audit services to be provided to the Company by the independent auditor or other firms;
•
overseeing the work of our independent registered public accounting firm, including through the receipt and consideration of reports from such firm;
•
reviewing and discussing with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties and management's response thereto, including those matters required to be discussed with the Audit Committee by the auditor pursuant to established auditing standards;
•
discussing with the independent auditor its responsibilities under generally accepted auditing standards, reviewing and approving the planned scope and timing of the independent auditor's annual audit plan(s), and discussing significant findings from the audit and any problems or difficulties encountered, including any restrictions on the scope of the auditor's activities or on access to requested information, and any significant disagreements with management;
•
obtaining and reviewing reports from the Company's independent auditor (a) describing its internal quality-control procedures, (b) describing any material issues raised by (i) the most recent internal quality-control review, peer review or
•
establishing policies for the Company's hiring of current or former employees of the independent auditor;
•
reviewing and discussing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm our annual and quarterly financial statements and related disclosures, including the Company's specific disclosures under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition," before such financial statements and related disclosures are filed with the
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21 |
Election of Directors
•
directing the independent registered public accounting firm to use its best efforts to perform all reviews of interim financial information prior to disclosure by the Company;
•
coordinating the Board's oversight of internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures and our code of business conduct and ethics;
•
overseeing our risk assessment and risk management policies;
•
reviewing the Company's information security controls and procedures and the process and procedures for managing cybersecurity risks;
•
discussing the Company's policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management;
•
discussing generally the type and presentation of information to be disclosed in the Company's earnings press releases, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts, rating agencies and others;
•
reviewing with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditor (a) any analyses or other written communications prepared by management and/or the independent auditor setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, (b) the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet transactions and structures, on the Company's financial statements, and (c) any major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentations including any significant changes in the Company's selection or application of accounting principles;
•
reviewing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or audit matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;
•
reviewing the Company's policies and procedures for approving or ratifying "related person transactions" and conducting appropriate review and oversight of all related person transactions for potential conflict of interest situations;
•
reviewing the Company's insider trading policies and procedures, including the Company's Securities Transaction Policy, and recommending any changes to the Board;
•
reviewing the Company's policies and procedures related to hedging, pledging, shorting and similar transactions with respect to the Company's stock, including the Company's Hedging and Pledging Policy, and recommending any changes to the Board;
•
reviewing management's compliance program to oversee that management has adequate controls in place to ensure that the Company's financial statements, reports and other financial information disseminated externally satisfy applicable legal requirements;
•
reviewing the internal audit function to ensure there are no limitations on the ability of the internal audit function to carry out its duties, reviewing and approving the annual internal audit plan, reviewing the organizational structure and qualifications of the internal audit function, and evaluating the performance, responsibilities, budget and staffing of the Company's internal audit function;
•
preparing the Audit Committee report required by
•
evaluating its own performance at least annually and reporting to the
The Board has determined that each of the members of its Audit Committee is an "audit committee financial expert" as that term is defined under the rules and regulations of the |
22 |
|
Election of Directors
(Chair) Members: Meetings in 2024: 5 The Compensation Committee has overall responsibility for the Company's compensation |
Compensation Committee The Compensation Committee's responsibilities, as set forth in its charter, include: •
reviewing and approving, or making recommendations to the Board with respect to, the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers;
•
reviewing, and making recommendations to the Board with respect to, incentive-compensation and equity-based plans that are subject to approval by the Board;
•
approving any tax-qualified, nondiscriminatory employee benefit plans for which stockholder approval is not sought;
•
administering all of the Company's stock option, stock incentive, employee stock purchase and other equity-based plans including interpreting the terms of such plans and granting options and other equity incentive awards thereunder (including the timing of such grants) and making awards under such plans;
•
overseeing the administration of any Company policies regarding the recoupment, repayment or forfeiture of compensation, including any such policies required to be adopted pursuant to applicable law or stock exchange requirement;
•
establishing and periodically reviewing stock ownership and retention guidelines for executive officers and non-employee directors;
•
reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to director compensation;
•
reviewing and discussing with management the Company's "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K, and considering whether it will recommend to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, proxy statement on Schedule 14A or information statement on Schedule 14C;
•
reviewing and discussing annually with management any further disclosures related to executive compensation not contained in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, but provided elsewhere in the Company's proxy statement or Annual Report, as applicable;
•
preparing an annual report required by Item 407(e)(5) of Regulation S-K;
•
reviewing and assessing risks arising from the Company's compensation policies and practices and whether any such risks are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company;
•
in its discretion, retaining or obtaining the advice of compensation consultants, legal counsel or other advisors, and overseeing their work;
•
monitoring progress toward and compliance with Stock Ownership Guidelines;
•
engaging in a risk assessment as it relates to our compensation practices and policies, as described in "Compensation Discussion & Analysis - Risk Assessment and Compensation Practices" on page 51; and
•
evaluating its own performance at least annually and reporting to the
|
|
23 |
Election of Directors
(Chair) Members: Meetings in 2024: 5 Our |
Nominating and Governance Committee •
reviewing criteria for the selection of candidates to the Board;
•
identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board, consistent with such criteria approved by the Board, and recommending to the Board the nominees for election as directors at any annual meeting of stockholders and the persons to be elected by the Board to fill any vacancies on the Board;
•
recommending to the Board the directors to be appointed to each committee of the Board, and the directors to be appointed as committee Chairs;
•
making recommendations to the Board as to determinations of director independence;
•
overseeing the evaluation of the Board;
•
reviewing the succession plan for the Board and making recommendations to the Board as appropriate;
•
considering the Company's CEO succession planning including in the case of incapacitation, retirement or removal of the CEO;
•
reviewing the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines and overseeing compliance with such guidelines;
•
overseeing the Company's practices and processes relating to the management and oversight of environmental, social and governance matters in coordination with other committees of the Board; and
•
evaluating its own performance at least annually and reporting to the Board on the self-evaluations of all Board committees.
|
ACCESS TO OUTSIDE ADVISORS
The Board and each Board Committee are empowered to retain the services of outside advisors at the Company's expense.
BoardOversight
The Board is responsible for providing advice and oversight of the strategic and operational direction of the Company to support our and our stockholders' long-term interests.
RiskOversight
Our management is responsible for risk management on a day-to-day basis. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing our risk management function. While the Audit Committee has primary responsibility for overseeing risk management, the entire Board of Directors is also actively involved. The Board and the Audit Committee fulfill their oversight roles by discussing with management the policies and practices utilized by management in assessing and managing the risks, including both existing risks and significant emerging risks, and providing input on those policies and practices.
Cybersecurity Oversight
Cybersecurity risk is overseen by the full Board, with additional oversight of the relevant risk framework and controls provided by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee's specific oversight includes periodic review of our information security controls and procedures and the processes and procedures for managing cybersecurity risks.
BOARD •
The entire Board of Directors is actively involved in overseeing our risk management, with oversight of our risk management provided by the Audit Committee.
•
The Board and the Audit Committee fulfill their oversight role by discussing with management the policies and practices utilized by management in assessing and managing the risks, including both existing risks and significant emerging risks, and providing input on those policies and practices.
•
Cybersecurity risk is overseen by the full Board, with additional oversight of the relevant risk framework and controls provided by the Audit Committee.
|
24 |
|
Election of Directors
ESGOversight
Stockholder Communications with our Board
Our directors meet periodically throughout the year with the Company's stockholders, employees and other persons interested in our strategy, business practices, governance, culture and performance. See "Stockholder Engagement" beginning on page7.
The Board welcomes the submission of any comments or concerns from stockholders. Communications should be in writing and addressed to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices and marked to the attention of the Board or any of its committees, individual directors or non-management or independent directors as a group. All correspondence will be forwarded to the intended recipient(s), except that certain items that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board (such as product inquiries and comments, new product suggestions, resumes and other forms of job inquiries, surveys, and business solicitations and advertisements) and material that is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly unsuitable will be excluded.
SocialHighlights
WORKFORCE SUPPORT
We are committed to being an organization that supports its employees in the following ways:
OUR COMMUNITIES
At
Our philanthropic programs build upon the existing foundation of employee engagement to positively impact the quality of life in our communities strategically and sustainably. In 2024, we helped over 15 organizations primarily in the
Other Governance Matters
We believe that good corporate governance and fostering an environment of high ethical standards are important for us to achieve business success and to create value for our stockholders. The Board periodically reviews our corporate governance practices in light of regulatory developments and practices at other public companies and makes changes that it believes are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
|
25 |
Election of Directors
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide a transparent framework for the effective governance of the Company. The Corporate Governance Guidelines address matters such as the roles and responsibilities of the Board, the Board's leadership structure, the responsibilities of the Lead Independent Director, director independence, overboarding, succession planning, Board membership criteria, Board committees, director orientation and continuing education, and Board and senior management evaluations.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
We maintain a written code of business conduct and ethics, referred to as the SS&C Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which covers all directors, officers and employees, and includes provisions relating to accounting and financial matters. Our employees are required to acknowledge that they have read and understood the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and will act accordingly as a condition of employment. Training is conducted for all employees upon hire and annually after that. Our Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel are responsible for overseeing the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
The SS&C Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website athttps://investor.ssctech.com/governance/governance-documents. If we make any substantive amendments to, or grant any waivers from, the SS&C Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for any director or officer, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website athttps://investor.ssctech.com/governance/governance-documentsor in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
Policies and Procedures for Related Person Transactions
The Board has maintained written policies and procedures for the review of any transaction, arrangement or relationship in which we have been or are a participant, the amount involved exceeds
Any related person transaction must be reported to our General Counsel and will be reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the terms of the policy, prior to effectiveness or consummation of the transaction, whenever practicable. In addition, any related person transaction previously approved by the Audit Committee or otherwise already existing and ongoing in nature will be reviewed by the Audit Committee annually to ensure that it has been conducted in accordance with the previous approval granted by the Audit Committee, if any, and that all required disclosures regarding the related person transaction are made.
A related person transaction reviewed under the policy will be considered approved or ratified if it is authorized by the Audit Committee after full disclosure of the related person's interest in the transaction. As appropriate for the circumstances, the Audit Committee will review and consider:
•
the related person's interest in the related person transaction;
•
the approximate dollar value of the amount involved in the related person transaction;
•
the approximate dollar value of the amount of the related person's interest in the transaction without regard to the amount of any profit or loss;
•
whether the transaction was undertaken in the ordinary course of our business;
•
whether the terms of the transaction are no less favorable to us than terms that could have been reached with an unrelated third party;
•
the purpose of, and the potential benefits to us of, the transaction; and
•
any other information regarding the related person transaction or the related person in the context of the proposed transaction that would be material to investors in light of the circumstances of the particular transaction.
|
26 |
|
Election of Directors
The Audit Committee may approve or ratify the related person transaction only if the Audit Committee determines that, under all of the circumstances, the transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, our best interests. The Audit Committee may, in its sole discretion, impose any conditions it deems appropriate on the Company or the related person in connection with approval of the related person transaction.
In addition to the transactions that are excluded by the instructions to the
The policy provides that transactions involving compensation of executive officers will be reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee in the manner specified in its charter.
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
The Company is a party to a Stockholders Agreement with
The provisions of the Stockholders Agreement also require that, so long as
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
The Company and
PREFERRED STOCK INVESTMENT
On
On
In
|
27 |
Election of Directors
OTHER TRANSACTIONS
Non-EmployeeDirector Compensation
In consultation with its independent compensation consultant, FW Cook, the Board has adopted a market-competitive non-employee director compensation program to help attract and retain talented individuals to serve as our Board members. Under this program, our non-employee directors are eligible to receive an annual cash retainer of
All of our directors are reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with their service on the Board.
|
Fees earned |
RSU |
Total |
||||||||||||
|
90,000 |
200,024 |
290,024 |
||||||||||||
|
120,000 |
(1) |
200,024 |
320,024 |
|||||||||||
|
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||
|
165,000 |
(2) |
200,024 |
365,024 |
|||||||||||
|
110,000 |
(3) |
200,024 |
310,024 |
|||||||||||
|
126,000 |
(4) |
300,069 |
426,069 |
|||||||||||
|
90,000 |
200,024 |
290,024 |
28 |
|
Election of Directors
We maintain ownership guidelines under which our directors are expected to accumulate and retain a meaningful level of ownership in our stock. Under the stock ownership guidelines, directors are required to hold stock having value equal to at least 5X their annual board cash retainer. As of
For purposes of determining compliance with the ownership guidelines, the following shares are counted as being owned:
In 2024, we revised the stock ownership guidelines so that shares underlying the in-the-money portion of vested, unexercised stock options no longer count toward satisfaction of the ownership thresholds.
Additionally, shares underlying unvested and unearned performance awards or unvested stock options do not count toward satisfaction of the ownership thresholds. There are no time periods within which a director must attain the applicable stock ownership level.
We also have adopted an anti-hedging/anti-pledging policy that prohibits our directors from engaging in any transactions that are designed to hedge or speculate on any change in the market value of our common stock.
|
29 |
Proposal 2:
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
We are providing our stockholders the opportunity to vote to approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the
Our executive compensation programs are designed to attract, retain and motivate our named executive officers, who are critical to our success. Under these programs, our named executive officers are rewarded for successful performance on our near-term and longer-term financial and strategic goals and for driving corporate financial performance and stability. The programs contain elements of cash and equity-based compensation and are designed to align the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders.
We have designed the annual cash bonus and long-term incentive program components of our executive compensation program in response to feedback we received from stockholders through a robust stockholder engagement process in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, we maintained the same programs that were implemented as a result of this process. Our programs are designed to ensure that our executive compensation aligns with prevailing market practice and promotes pay for performance.
In particular, we have adopted a formulaic annual cash bonus program under which target bonus opportunities are established for each executive and are earned and paid in cash based on the achievement of pre-established, objective performance metrics. In addition, our long-term incentive program reflects a market-based award mix of performance-vesting stock units (PSUs), time-based stock options and time-vesting RSUs, with awards granted based on an aggregate target value on the date of grant, rather than a target number of shares, to promote year-over-year stability and align with prevailing market practice.
At the 2023 annual meeting, shareholders had the opportunity to vote, on an advisory, non-binding basis, on the frequency of our "say-on-pay" votes. Shareholders supported a resolution that we hold a "say-on-pay" vote every year in accordance with the Board's recommendation. Accordingly, we will be holding "say-on-pay" votes on an annual basis, with the next "say-on-pay" vote to occur at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
For additional details regarding the components of our executive compensation program, see the Compensation Discussion & Analysis continuing on page38of this proxy statement.
The Board is asking stockholders to approve a non-binding advisory vote on the following resolution. This vote is advisory and therefore not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or the Board. The Board and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and, to the extent there is any significant vote against the named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, we will consider those stockholders' concerns, and the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.
RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the compensation discussion and analysis, the compensation tables and any related narrative disclosures in this proxy statement, is hereby approved.
The board of directors recommends that you vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers by votingFORproposal 2. |
30 |
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Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis section (referred to as the "CD&A") summarizes our general philosophy regarding the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), our Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), and our two other executive officers in 2024 (collectively referred to as "named executive officers" or "NEOs"). The CD&A provides context for the executive compensation disclosures presented below in both tabular and narrative form. The Compensation Committee believes our executive compensation program provides a direct link between our NEOs' pay and long-term stockholder value creation.
Our NEOs for 2024 are as follows:
|
Position |
|
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
|
President and Chief Operating Officer |
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Compensation Committee believes that our executive compensation program should provide a meaningful and direct link between our executives' interests and those of our stockholders. As a result, the Compensation Committee is committed to our ongoing engagement with stockholders to ensure a clear understanding of how we use our compensation program to ensure alignment between pay and performance, as measured by both operating results and changes in shareholder value, and to be responsive to stockholder feedback. The Compensation Committee chose the performance metrics described below because the Committee believes that these metrics best track the execution of our strategic plan and, in turn, directly translate into the creation of value for our stockholders.
Our Compensation Program
OVERVIEW
In response to feedback received from engagement with stockholders in 2022 and 2023, the Compensation Committee, together with its independent compensation consultant, FW Cook, has designed our executive compensation program to strengthen our commitment to our pay for performance philosophy and to closely align our overall program with prevailing market views on best practices, thereby ensuring a strong tie between realized pay and performance and the alignment of the interests of our executive team with our stockholders.
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31 |
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
The Compensation Committee believes our executive compensation program and governance practices align the interests of our executive team with those of our stockholders. The following table summarizes key features of our executive compensation program:
Features |
Our Compensation Program |
|
Bonus Targets |
Each NEO has a target bonus opportunity established by the Compensation Committee |
|
Predetermined weighting of metrics |
There are four equally weighted Company financial metrics for bonuses: (i) adjusted revenue, (ii) organic revenue growth, (iii) operating cash flow and (iv) adjusted consolidated EBITDA |
|
Formulaic payout determinations |
Bonus payouts based on achievement of pre-established financial metrics, with a potential of up to +/-25% strategic modifier adjustment based on the Compensation Committee's holistic assessment of overall business and individual performance against pre-established strategic KPIs |
|
Cap on payouts |
Bonus payouts capped at 250% of target; no payout if goals are achieved below threshold performance level |
|
Form of payouts |
Bonus payouts made 100% in cash in the year following the performance year |
|
Annual grants based on target value on the date of grant |
Each NEO has a target value on the date of grant from which the number of shares is determined and which is set based on a review of competitive market data and company and individual performance |
|
Award mix |
Grants are comprised 50% of PSUs, 25% of time-based stock options and 25% of RSUs |
|
Range of pre-established performance metrics |
PSUs vest based on achievement of a three-year average annual EPS growth metric, with an up to +/-20% performance modifier based on relative TSR achievement There will be no upward modifier applied to PSUs if the Company's absolute TSR over the performance period is negative |
|
Cap on payouts |
Total payout of PSUs cannot exceed 200% of target (including the modifier) |
32 |
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Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
Performance Goals Promote Strategic Execution and Shareholder Value Creation
In designing our compensation program, the Compensation Committee focuses on ensuring that our compensation program closely aligns the interests of our NEOs with those of stockholders by incorporating financial performance measures that compensate our NEOs for the execution of our strategic plan, which is intended to create stockholder value. For 2024, the Compensation Committee, together with FW Cook and in consultation with our CEO, selected the performance measures set forth in the following table for use in our annual bonus program and long-term incentive program. These performance measures were unchanged from 2023 as the Compensation Committee believes they holistically reflect our compensation strategy. The Compensation Committee believes that the interplay of the four annual financial performance metrics under our annual bonus program combined with the three-year adjusted EPS growth metric and relative TSR modifier under our long-term incentive program complement one another and provide quantitative, objective performance goals that strongly link our NEOs' pay with Company performance against key measures of success and stockholder value creation.
Annual Bonus Program |
Adjusted Revenue |
Measures top-line revenue performance of the Company |
Organic Revenue Growth |
Measures the growth of |
|
Operating Cash Flow |
Measures cash after capital investments that allow us to repay indebtedness, make strategic investments and retucapital to shareholders |
|
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA |
Key profitability measure, which gauges the costs of the Company's capital structure and is used in the Company's senior credit facilities |
|
Long-Term Incentive Program |
Adjusted EPS Growth |
Reflects profitability growth on a per-share basis over a 3-year period |
Relative TSR Modifier |
Measures the total shareholder retuof investing in the Company against the Company's disclosed peers over a three-year period |
2024 Performance Highlights
We are pleased with the Company's operating performance in 2024, as shown by these results:
GAAP Diluted EPS 25.5% from 2023 |
Net Income(1) 25.3% from 2023 |
GAAP Revenue 6.9% from 2023 |
Adjusted Diluted EPS(2) 16.3% from 2023 |
|||||||
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA(2) 8.2% from 2023 |
Adjusted Revenue(2) 6.9% from 2023 |
Generated net cash from operating activities 14.3% from 2023 |
2.89x Consolidated net leverage ratio from 3.05x at end of 2023 |
|||||||
6.1% Organic revenue growth from 2023 |
Repurchased treasury stock 56.4% from 2023 |
Net debt repayments |
Dividends paid 10.9% from 2023 |
|
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Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
Pay for Performance
For 2024, approximately 96% our CEO's and 94% of our other NEOs' (on average) total direct compensation was performance-based and reflects the Compensation Committee's review of our overall financial performance.
In furtherance of our pay for performance philosophy, the Compensation Committee made compensation decisions for 2024 that are directly reflective and correlative of the Company's business and operational performance achievements in 2024 as shown above. This relationship between pay and performance exemplifies the Compensation Committee's commitment to establish a direct link between executive pay and tangible strategic and financial results. Specifically:
CompensationBest Practices
We strive to ensure that executive pay decisions are quantitative, transparent and performance-based in order to keep the incentives for our executives aligned with the interests of our stockholders. The following table describes the highlights of our executive compensation practices, each of which is described in more detail elsewhere in this proxy statement:
WHAT WE DO |
WHAT WE DON'T DO |
||||
Require the Compensation Committee to solely comprise of independent board members |
Don't provide excise tax gross ups to our executive officers |
||||
Utilize an independent compensation consultant engaged by the Compensation Committee |
Don't provide excess perquisites or personal benefits to our executive officers |
||||
Emphasize pay for performance and consider competitive data in setting our executive's compensation |
Don't allow for repricing or cash buyouts of underwater stock options and stock appreciation rights without stockholder consent |
||||
Provide formula-based annual cash incentive opportunities |
|||||
Cap payouts on annual bonuses and PSU awards |
Don't allow our executives to engage in any transactions that are designed to hedge or pledge company stock |
||||
Apply rigorous performance goals to annual and multi-year performance awards |
|||||
Review and consider executive officer compensation in connection with a peer group, as a market-based reference point |
No acceleration of equity awards on a |
||||
Maintain stock ownership guidelines for our executives and |
|||||
Maintain two incentive compensation clawback policies - one mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act applying to incentive compensation awarded to our executives based on a financial measure in the event of a financial restatement without regard to fault or misconduct by our executives, and a second policy going beyond Dodd-Frank Act requirements, and applying to all incentive compensation, including cash bonuses and time-based vesting awards (in addition to performance based incentive awards and other incentive compensation based on a financial measure), if our executives' misconduct is a significant contributing factor to the need for a financial restatement |
Don't pay dividends or dividend equivalents in respect of any unvested or unearned equity awards |
||||
Grant at least half of a senior executive's annual long-term incentives in the form of performance-based awards |
Don't maintain any defined benefit pension plans or supplemental executive retirement plans for our executives |
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Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
Stockholder Engagement on Say-on-Pay
Our executive compensation program and practices were designed by the Compensation Committee, together with its independent compensation consultant, FW Cook, in direct response to feedback we received from our stockholders as part of our engagement efforts in 2022 and 2023 that were described in detail in our 2023 proxy statement. We are appreciative of the strong support of our stockholders as evidenced by the results of our say-on-pay vote at our 2023 and 2024 annual meetings, in which 88% of stockholders at each meeting approved our executive compensation program.
The Compensation Committee and management team are committed to continued active engagement with stockholders to understand their viewpoints and to discuss and demonstrate the important connection between our compensation program and stockholder interests. From
The Compensation Committee, with the assistance of FW Cook, continues to evaluate our compensation program design. The Compensation Committee believes that the current design of the compensation program is consistent with our compensation philosophy and objectives and aligns the interests of our NEOs with our long-term goals and the interests of our stockholders without incentivizing inappropriate risk taking.
We will continue to maintain an active dialogue with our stockholders and evaluate feedback on issues of importance to them, including by holding an annual "say-on-pay" vote, in line with the advisory "say-on-frequency" vote of our stockholders at the 2023 annual meeting.
Process for Administering Our Executive Compensation Practices
The Compensation Committee has overall responsibility for administering our executive officer compensation program. As the structure and key features of our executive compensation have evolved in response to stockholder feedback, so too has the Compensation Committee's approach to its decision-making process around executive pay and goal setting. The Compensation Committee, with the assistance of FW Cook, and based on the input and recommendations it receives from the Chief Executive Officer (other than with respect to his own compensation) and comparative peer group market data, makes decisions regarding the annual total direct compensation levels of our executive officers. This information is also considered in establishing the financial and operational performance metrics that apply to our annual bonus and long-term incentive compensation programs.
In December of each year, the Compensation Committee establishes its agenda for the upcoming year, taking into account Company performance over the prior year and macro-economic conditions, and based on that initial agenda, takes the following actions during the following year at such times noted below (in addition to any other business that may arise during the year):
January-March |
||
•
Review and assess business and individual performance against prior year metrics
•
Certify performance results and determine compensation payout levels for the prior year
•
Review compensation policies and assess the risks arising from them
|
||
•
Review corporate goals and objectives for current year
•
Establish target pay levels, including approval of performance metrics and goal calibration for the annual bonus programs and PSU grants in the current year
•
Approve annual equity incentive grants for the current year
|
||
April-December |
||
•
Review say-on-pay results and engage with stockholders
•
Consider and review adjustments to compensation programs based on feedback received from stockholders and evolving strategic objectives
•
Review compensation peer group, peer group pay levels for executives and non-employee directors, and market trends
•
Review compensation policies, including any required modifications based on regulatory developments
•
Develop agenda for following compensation year
|
|
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Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
Guidance from Independent Compensation Consultant
Since 2020, the Compensation Committee has engaged FW Cook as its independent compensation consultant to provide advice and analysis to the Compensation Committee as part of its comprehensive review of our executive compensation programs. FW Cook's assistance includes competitive market analysis of our pay for performance alignment, incentive program design, and market positioning among our peer group, which informs the Compensation Committee's decision-making.
FW Cook is retained by and reports to the Compensation Committee and, upon the request of the Compensation Committee, participates in committee meetings. Other than services provided to the Compensation Committee, FW Cook did not provide any services to the Company in 2024.
Each year, the Compensation Committee evaluates the independence of its compensation consultant to determine whether the services provided by the consultant raise any conflicts of interest, and has determined that its engagement of FW Cook has not presented any conflicts of interest.
Input from Management
The Compensation Committee also solicits input from our Chief Executive Officer, who typically presents salary, bonus and equity compensation recommendations for our executive officers (other than himself) to the Compensation Committee based on his years of experience in the financial services and software industries, his day-to-day engagement with the management team, and his desire to motivate the executive officers and ensure their commitment to the Company. Specifically, for each executive officer, our Chief Executive Officer will offer a description for the Compensation Committee of the officer's performance during the prior year, and will make a recommendation as to salary, bonus and equity awards based upon the officer's responsibilities and contributions to the Company's performance. The Compensation Committee considers these recommendations and discusses his reviews and recommendations with him as part of its deliberations. For our Chief Executive Officer's compensation, the Compensation Committee conducts its deliberations without him present. In this determination, as in other compensation matters, the Compensation Committee exercises its independent judgment.
Competitive Landscape
Working with FW Cook, the Compensation Committee establishes a peer group from which it reviews relevant competitive compensation data to help inform its decisions regarding executive pay levels and program design. For 2024 executive compensation, the peer group was unchanged from the list set forth in the 2024 Executive Compensation Program Changes section of our 2024 Proxy ("2024
2024
•Autodesk (Nasdaq: ADSK) •Block (f.k.a Square) (NYSE: SQ) • (f.k.a. • • • • • |
• •Intuit (Nasdaq: INTU) • •Maximus (NYSE: MMS) • • • • •Workday (Nasdaq: WDAY) |
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Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
Design and Structure of Executive Compensation
Executive Compensation Objectives
Our executive compensation program is designed to foster a performance-based culture among our employees that aligns their interests with those of our stockholders. The primary objectives of the Compensation Committee with respect to executive compensation are to:
To achieve these objectives, our executive compensation program employs a variety of elements, the interplay of which results in a compensation program that is strongly aligned with stockholder interests, retains a talented executive team that is critical to executing on our agenda and rewards them for creating value for our stockholders over the short- and long-term.
|
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Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
Elements of Our Compensation Program
Our compensation program is comprised of three key components, each designed to be market-competitive and to help attract, motivate, retain and reward our NEOs.
Purpose |
Performance Goals/Vesting |
Key Features |
||||||
Provides certainty and predictability to meet ongoing living and other financial commitments Fixed compensation in exchange for investing in a career with |
N/A |
The only fixed component of our executive compensation program |
||||||
Focus executive officers on achievement of annual growth, profitability and cash flow goals that drive sustainable stockholder value creation over the longer-term |
Corporate Performance Metrics: •
Adjusted revenue (25%)
•
Organic revenue growth (25%)
•
Operating cash flow (25%)
•
Adjusted consolidated EBITDA (25%)
Individual Performance: +/-25% strategic modifier adjustment based on a holistic review of overall business and individual performance against strategic KPIs including for 2023: •
Strategic initiatives
•
Human capital management
•
Individual leadership goals
|
Annual target bonuses established by the Compensation Committee Paid 100% in cash Maximum payout capped at 250% of target No payout if performance falls below threshold levels for all metrics |
||||||
Closely aligns our NEOs' interests with the long-term interests of our stockholders and promotes the retention of our executive team |
PSUs are earned and vest between 0% and 200% based on achievement of a three-year average EPS performance goal and are subject to a 20% modifier adjustment based on achievement of relative TSR performance metric during the three-year performance period. No upward modifier applied to PSUs if the Company's absolute TSR over the performance period is negative Total payout cannot exceed 200% of target (including the modifier) Time-based RSUs vest in equal annual installments over three years |
Number of shares underlying each award is based on the executive's aggregate target value on the date of grant Grants are comprised 50% of PSUs, 25% of time-based stock options and 25% of RSUs |
||||||
Time-based stock options vest 25% on the first anniversary of the grant date, and 1/36 of the remaining number monthly until the fourth anniversary of the grant date |
||||||||
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Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
Target Compensation MixUnder our Compensation Program
Our executive compensation program consists primarily of three elements - base salary, annual cash bonus and long-term equity incentives - that are designed to link compensation delivered to our executive officers with objective financial criteria and performance and the interests of our stockholders. The below graphs reflect the relative mix of the key components of our executive compensation program (reflected at 2024 target) which demonstrate our commitment to our pay for performance philosophy by tying a significant portion of executive pay to at-risk, variable compensation elements.
Base Salary
Base salary is used to recognize the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of all our employees, including our named executive officers, and is the only fixed component of our executive compensation program. Base salaries are reviewed at least annually by the Compensation Committee and are adjusted from time to time to realign salaries with market levels after taking into account the performance of the Company and each executive officer's responsibilities, performance and experience. In establishing base salaries for 2024, the Compensation Committee considered a variety of factors, including competitive market data, the seniority of the individual, the level of the individual's responsibility, the Company's ability to replace the individual, the individual's tenure at the Company, relative pay among the executive officers, and our Chief Executive Officer's input. The Compensation Committee deliberates and approves the base salary of our Chief Executive Officer without his presence.
The Compensation Committee approved an annual target total cash compensation structure for each of our NEOs, including the base salaries set forth in the table below and the annual target bonus opportunities set forth under "Annual Bonus" below.2024 base salaries were maintained at the same levels as 2023. Additionally, theCompensation Committee determined not to increase base salaries for 2025. The following table shows the annual base salaries of our NEOs for 2024 and 2025.
|
2024 Base |
2025 Base |
||||||||
|
$ |
1,000,000 |
$ |
1,000,000 |
||||||
|
$ |
800,000 |
$ |
800,000 |
||||||
|
$ |
600,000 |
$ |
600,000 |
||||||
|
$ |
500,000 |
$ |
500,000 |
|
39 |
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
Annual Bonus
Our Annual Bonus Program
We maintain a formulaic, target-based annual bonus program that aims to provide incentives to our executive officers that drive annual performance based on our operating plan and individual performance goals, while retaining the ability to adjust payouts based on the Compensation Committee's holistic assessment of overall Company performance in the business environment and each NEO's individual performance during the year (which we refer to as the "strategic modifier"). At the beginning of each year, the Compensation Committee, with input from our management team, will establish target bonus opportunities as well as corporate performance factors and payout formulas. The performance goals are intended to be rigorous and promote our agenda to create stockholder value.
2024 Target Bonus Opportunity
The Compensation Committee established the following target bonus opportunities for each of our NEOs in 2024, which were set considering competitive data from our 2024
Named Executive Officer |
2024 Target Bonus Opportunity ($) |
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
Components of 2024 Annual Bonus Program
The components of our 2024 annual bonus program included a company performance factor consisting of four equally-weighted performance metrics, representing key drivers of sustainable stockholder value creation for our Company, and an individual strategic modifier. Achievement of the company performance factor is based on the level of attainment of rigorous pre-established financial performance goals set forth below, while the strategic modifier is intended to provide the Compensation Committee with an opportunity to make an upwards or downwards adjustment of as much as 25% based on a holistic assessment of overall Company performance in the business environment and each executive's performance against pre-established strategic KPIs. This strategic modifier provides the Compensation Committee with the ability to more closely tailor annual bonus payouts based on its evaluation of strategic goal attainment and an assessment of individual performance over the year, thereby further reinforcing the Company's culture of performance and accountability. The target achievement levels established for the Company performance factors used for the 2024 performance year aligned with guidance that the Company provided to the market in connection with our Q4 and Full Year 2023 Earnings Results shared on
TARGET BONUS |
X |
COMPANY |
X |
STRATEGIC MODIFIER |
= |
ACTUAL BONUS |
2024 Goal Calibration* |
Payout Calibration |
||||||||||||||||||
CPF Metrics |
Wgt. |
Thresh. |
Target |
Max. |
Thresh. |
Target |
Max. |
||||||||||||
Adjusted Revenue(1) |
25% |
$ |
5,623.5 |
$ |
5,767.7 |
$ |
5,911.9 |
50% |
100% |
250% |
|||||||||
Organic Revenue Growth(1) |
25% |
2.0 |
% |
4.5 |
% |
7.0 |
% |
50% |
100% |
250% |
|||||||||
Operating Cash Flow(1) |
25% |
$ |
1,274.9 |
$ |
1,342.0 |
$ |
1,409.1 |
50% |
100% |
250% |
|||||||||
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA(1) |
25% |
$ |
2,125.6 |
$ |
2,237.5 |
$ |
2,349.4 |
50% |
100% |
250% |
*Dollar amounts in the table reflected in millions
For the 2024 performance year, the Compensation Committee selected the following strategic modifier KPI categories under the annual bonus program: (i) strategic initiatives (e.g., product launches, acquisitions and divestitures), (ii) human capital management (e.g., employee engagement, leadership and exemplification of culture and values and succession/leadership development); and (iii) individual leadership goals and objectives. The Compensation Committee, with input from our CEO, takes a measured approach on this performance review to ensure that our executives are appropriately motivated and incentivized to continue to perform at high levels and to avoid any incentives for excessive risk-taking.
40 |
|
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
2024 Annual Bonus Program Results
In early 2025, the Compensation Committee assessed the Company's achievement of the company performance factor and made final decisions with respect to application of the strategic modifier and payout of 2024 annual bonuses. The table below sets forth the achievement of each financial metric under the company performance factor of the 2024 bonus program. The 2024 targets for each company performance factor metric reflects growth from 2023 actual results. Based on this achievement, the aggregate achievement of the company performance factor was determined to be 189.5% of target levels (with dollar amounts in the table reflected in millions).
Company Performance Factor Metric |
2024 Target |
2024 Actual |
2024 Bonus Payout |
||||||||||
Adjusted Revenue(1) (2) |
$ |
5,767.7 |
$ |
5,875.9 |
212.6% |
||||||||
Organic Revenue Growth(1) |
4.5 |
% |
6.1 |
% |
196.0% |
||||||||
Operating Cash Flow(1)(2) |
$ |
1,342.0 |
$ |
1,385.0 |
153.5% |
||||||||
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA(1)(2) |
$ |
2,237.5 |
$ |
2,277.4 |
196.1% |
The Compensation Committee also considered the achievement against the strategic KPI categories described above as well as relative Company performance in the macro business environment. Following robust discussions, the Compensation Committee determined that no upward or downward modifier would be applied to the NEOs' annual bonus payouts for 2024 under the strategic modifier component of our annual bonus program for 2024.
The table below reflects the actual annual bonuses awarded to our named executive officers for 2024 performance.
Named Executive Officer |
2024 Target Bonus |
Company |
Strategic Modifier |
2024 Bonus |
|||||||||||
|
$ |
5,000,000 |
189.5 |
% |
N/A |
$ |
9,475,000 |
||||||||
|
$ |
4,000,000 |
189.5 |
% |
N/A |
$ |
7,580,000 |
||||||||
|
$ |
1,400,000 |
189.5 |
% |
N/A |
$ |
2,653,000 |
||||||||
|
$ |
1,000,000 |
189.5 |
% |
N/A |
$ |
1,895,000 |
|
41 |
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
Long-Term Incentive Equity Awards
The Compensation Committee believes that equity-based long-term incentive compensation is a critical component of our executive compensation program and is committed to the use of a program that appropriately motivates and incentivizes our NEOs and aligns their interests with those of our stockholders. Our long-term incentive compensation program has evolved over recent years to incorporate and emphasize performance-based equity awards that are intended to promote alignment of our executive interests with those of our stockholders and to promote long-term stockholder value creation.
Since 2023, grants under the long-term incentive program are comprised of 50% of PSUs, 25% of time-based stock options and 25% of RSUs, and each NEO receives equity incentive awards based on an aggregate target value on the date of grant (as opposed to a target share number). The targeted grant date fair value is determined by the Compensation Committee each year after a holistic consideration of competitive data and individual-specific factors for our executive officers.
The table below sets forth the approved target value for each of the equity awards granted to our NEOs under our compensation program in 2024, which were maintained at the same levels as 2023.
|
PSUs |
Stock |
RSUs |
Aggregate |
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
PSUs
To foster strong focus on long-term performance and changes in shareholder value, PSUs are the most significant single component of the annual award mix under our long-term incentive program, comprising one-half of the total target value of the long-term incentive program awards. The Compensation Committee believes that emphasizing performance-based awards in the form of PSUs in the overall equity award mix is closely aligned with market practice, places a strong emphasis on pay-for-performance, and aligns the NEOs' compensation with long-term stockholder value creation.
For PSUs granted in 2024 ("2024 PSUs"), the Compensation Committee selected a performance goal comprised of a three-year average annual EPS growth rate, which is measured based on our Adjusted Diluted EPS ("3-Year EPS Growth"). The Compensation Committee believes that the 3-Year EPS Growth metric will closely align the potential payout of the 2024 PSUs to the value ultimately realized by our stockholders over a similar time horizon, and complements the financial performance measures used in the annual cash bonus program described under "Annual Bonus" above. The 2024 PSUs will be eligible to become earned and vest between 0% and 200% of target levels based on the achievement of the three-year EPS Growth metric over a three-year performance period from
Adjusted Diluted EPS Growth Rate |
Payout Percentage |
||
11% (maximum) |
200% |
||
7.5% (target) |
100% |
||
4% (threshold) |
50% |
||
<4%) (below threshold) |
0% |
42 |
|
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
In addition, the ultimate payout of the 2024 PSUs is also subject to a relative TSR performance modifier based on the percentile ranking of our TSR over the three-year performance period relative to that of the companies comprising our compensation benchmarking peer group described under "Competitive Landscape", as set forth in the table below. Once the achievement of 3-Year EPS Growth is calculated, the relative TSR modifier will then be applied to the 2024 PSU payout level, with the ultimate payout level adjusted upwards or downwards by up to 20% (subject to the maximum 200% payout). No upward modifier will be applied if our absolute TSR is negative for the three-year performance period. The Compensation Committee has incorporated the relative TSR metric as a performance modifier to the PSUs to more directly link the long-term incentive compensation program to our stockholders' returns. As a result, the use of this relative TSR modifier set at the 55th percentile to enhance rigor will reward the NEOs for sustained market outperformance, as well as regulate payouts for market underperformance, even if the 3-Year EPS Growth metric is achieved at or above-target.
Relative TSR Modifier |
Modifier % |
||
≥ 80th percentile |
+20% |
||
55th percentile |
0% |
||
≤ 30th percentile |
-20% |
Stock Options
Stock options are a key component of the annual equity award mix, and comprise 25% of the total target value of the long-term incentive program awards. The Compensation Committee continues to believe that stock options play an effective role in linking pay with performance in that our stock price must appreciate following the grant date in order for the options to deliver any value to the NEOs.
The stock options granted in 2024 ("2024 Options") will vest over a four-year period from the grant date, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 75% vesting in equal monthly installments for three years thereafter, subject generally to the NEO's continued employment with us through each vesting date.
RSUs
The Compensation Committee believes the RSU component of the annual equity award mix under our long-term incentive program promotes executive retention by linking RSU vesting to continuous employment requirements. The RSU component comprises 25% of the total target value of the long-term incentive program awards. While there are no express performance conditions applicable to the RSUs, the RSU awards are inherently performance-based and aligned with stockholder value creation, as the value of the shares ultimately realized by the NEOs on vesting will be directly impacted by our stock price.
The RSUs granted in 2024 ("2024 RSUs") will vest in equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, subject generally to the NEO's continued employment with us through each vesting date.
Performance-based stock option performance period that concluded in 2024
In
|
||||
Performance period |
2022 - 2024 |
|||
Performance metric |
Average Annual Adjusted Diluted EPS Growth Rate |
|||
Maximum - Growth Rate / Vesting Percentage |
10.5% |
200% |
||
Target - Growth Rate / Vesting Percentage |
4.5% |
100% |
||
Threshold - Growth Rate / Vesting Percentage |
2.5% |
75% |
||
Below Threshold - Growth Rate / Vesting Percentage |
<2.5% |
0% |
||
Actual results - Growth Rate / Vesting Percentage |
3.04% |
81.76% |
Following the certification of the performance goals by the Compensation Committee,
Equity Grant Practices
We do not have a formal policy with respect to the timing of grants of our equity awards, but the Compensation Committee has historically granted such awards on a predetermined schedule, in the first calendar quarter of each year, at regularly scheduled meetings of the Compensation Committee scheduled approximately one year in advance. From time to time, we also grant equity awards in connection with new hires and promotion, and the timing of such grants are driven by the timing of the hiring or promotion. We do not schedule our equity
|
43 |
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
grants in anticipation of the release of material, non-public information ("MNPI"), nor do we time the release of MNPI based upon the grant dates of equity awards. The Compensation Committee does not take MNPI into account when determining the timing and terms of our equity award grants. In the event MNPI becomes known to the Compensation Committee prior to granting an equity award, the Compensation Committee would use its business judgment to determine whether to delay the grant of equity awards.
2025 Executive Compensation Program Changes
The Compensation Committee has not made and does not expect to make significant changes to the executive compensation program design in 2025 compared to 2024. The size, terms and components of base salary, target annual bonus and long-term incentive equity grants are expected to be unchanged in 2025. In connection with its regular annual review of our market competitiveness among our peers in
Benefits
We offer a variety of benefit programs to all eligible employees, including our executive officers. Our executive officers generally are eligible for the same benefits on the same basis as other employees, including medical, dental and vision benefits, life insurance coverage and short-and long-term disability coverage. All eligible employees are also able to contribute to our 401(k) plan and receive matching Company contributions under the plan. In addition, our executive officers are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable business travel and other expenses incurred during the performance of their duties in accordance with our expense reimbursement policy.
No Perquisites
Consistent with our pay for performance philosophy, in 2024 we did not provide our NEOs with perquisites, excise tax gross-ups or supplemental executive retirement benefits.
Employment Agreements and Severance and Change of Control Benefits
Insider Trading Policy
Wemaintaina Securities Transaction Policy that governs the purchase, sale and/or other dispositions of our securities applicable to our personnel, including directors, officers, employees and other covered persons. Our Securities Transaction Policy promotes compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and Nasdaq listing standards. A copy of our Securities Transaction Policy was included as Exhibit 19 to our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
Stock Ownership Guidelines, Anti-Hedging and Pledging Policy and Clawback Policy
We have adopted executive stock ownership guidelines under which our executive officers are expected to accumulate and retain a meaningful level of ownership in our stock. Under the stock ownership guidelines, executive officers have the following ownership requirements:
For purposes of determining compliance with the ownership guidelines, the following shares are counted as being owned:
In 2024, we revised the stock ownership guidelines so that shares underlying the in-the-money portion of vested, unexercised stock options no longer count toward satisfaction of the ownership thresholds.
44 |
|
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
Additionally, shares underlying unvested and unearned performance awards or unvested stock options do not count toward satisfaction of the ownership thresholds. There are no time periods within which an executive officer must attain the applicable stock ownership level. As of
We also have adopted an anti-hedging/anti-pledging policy that prohibits our employees and directors from engaging in any transactions that are designed to hedge or speculate on any change in the market value of our common stock.
The Board has adopted two incentive compensation clawback policies. Our first incentive compensation clawback policy is mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act and applies to incentive compensation awarded to our executives based on a financial measure in the event of a financial restatement without regard to fault or misconduct by our executives. Our second incentive compensation clawback policy extends beyond Dodd-Frank Act requirements and applies to all incentive compensation including cash bonuses and time-based vesting awards (in addition to performance based incentive awards and other incentive compensation based on a financial measure) if our executives' misconduct is a significant contributing factor to the need for a financial restatement. The Compensation Committee continues to review and assess our clawback policies to further align with the interests of the Company and our shareholders.
Risk Assessment and Compensation Practices
The Compensation Committee, with the help of its outside advisors, oversees the review and assessment of any risks arising from our compensation policies and practices and whether any such risks are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our Company. Based on its review of our executive compensation program and pay for performance philosophy, the Compensation Committee has determined that our compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to create risks that would have a material adverse effect on our Company.
Accounting and Tax Implications
The accounting and tax treatment of particular forms of compensation do not materially affect our compensation decisions. However, we evaluate the effect of such accounting and tax treatment on an ongoing basis and will make modifications to compensation policies where we deem it appropriate.
For instance, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a tax deduction for compensation in excess of
In the exercise of its business judgment, and in accordance with its compensation philosophy, the Compensation Committee continues to have the flexibility to award compensation that is not tax deductible if it determines that such award is in our stockholders' best interests.
Report of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with our management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
By the
|
45 |
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
Executive Compensation Tables
Summary Compensation Table
The following table contains information with respect to the compensation earned by our named executive officers for the fiscal years ended
|
Year |
Salary |
Bonus |
Stock awards |
Option awards |
Non-equity |
All other |
Total |
|||||||||||||
|
2024 |
1,000,000 |
- |
11,637,069 |
(4) |
3,750,228 |
9,475,000 |
8,396 |
25,870,693 |
||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer |
2023 |
1,000,000 |
- |
11,798,896 |
3,750,824 |
3,540,000 |
8,444 |
20,098,164 |
|||||||||||||
2022 |
875,000 |
- |
8,102,003 |
- |
3,825,000 |
8,389 |
12,810,392 |
||||||||||||||
|
2024 |
800,000 |
- |
9,309,615 |
(4) |
3,000,196 |
7,580,000 |
8,317 |
20,698,128 |
||||||||||||
Chief Operating Officer |
2023 |
800,000 |
- |
9,439,128 |
3,000,666 |
2,832,000 |
8,355 |
16,080,149 |
|||||||||||||
2022 |
673,958 |
- |
6,074,705 |
- |
3,060,000 |
8,334 |
9,816,997 |
||||||||||||||
|
2024 |
600,000 |
- |
3,103,270 |
(4) |
1,000,077 |
2,653,000 |
8,238 |
7,364,585 |
||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
2023 |
240,909 |
- |
8,756,250 |
999,846 |
991,200 |
89 |
10,988,293 |
|||||||||||||
|
2024 |
500,000 |
- |
3,491,213 |
(4) |
1,125,073 |
1,895,000 |
8,198 |
7,019,484 |
||||||||||||
Chief Legal Officer |
2023 |
500,000 |
- |
3,539,773 |
1,125,254 |
708,000 |
8,222 |
5,881,249 |
|||||||||||||
2022 |
494,792 |
- |
1,516,879 |
- |
765,000 |
8,220 |
2,784,891 |
|
401(k) |
Life |
Total |
||||||||||||
|
$ |
8,000 |
$ |
396 |
$ |
8,396 |
|||||||||
|
8,000 |
317 |
8,317 |
||||||||||||
|
8,000 |
238 |
8,238 |
||||||||||||
|
8,000 |
198 |
8,198 |
Maximum Value |
||||
|
2024 PSUs |
|||
|
$ |
15,774,074 |
||
|
12,619,204 |
|||
|
4,206,446 |
|||
|
4,732,304 |
46 |
|
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth information regarding grants of compensation in the form of plan-based awards made during 2024 to our named executive officers.
Estimated future payouts under |
Estimated future payouts under |
All other |
All other |
Exercise |
Grant date |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Grant date |
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
of stock |
underlying |
option |
and option |
|||||||||||||
William |
|
- |
- |
- |
87,156 |
116,208 |
232,416 |
(3) |
- |
- |
- |
7,887,037 |
||||||||||||
|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
58,104 |
- |
- |
3,750,032 |
|||||||||||||
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
218,659 |
64.54 |
3,750,228 |
||||||||||||||
625,000 |
5,000,000 |
12,500,000 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||||||
Rahul |
|
- |
- |
- |
69,725 |
92,966 |
185,932 |
(3) |
- |
- |
- |
6,309,602 |
||||||||||||
Kanwar |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
46,483 |
- |
- |
3,000,013 |
|||||||||||||
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
174,928 |
64.54 |
3,000,196 |
||||||||||||||
500,000 |
4,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||||||
Brian |
|
- |
- |
- |
23,242 |
30,989 |
61,978 |
(3) |
- |
- |
- |
2,103,223 |
||||||||||||
|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
15,495 |
- |
- |
1,000,047 |
|||||||||||||
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
58,310 |
64.54 |
1,000,077 |
||||||||||||||
175,000 |
1,400,000 |
3,500,000 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||||||
Jason |
|
- |
- |
- |
26,148 |
34,863 |
69,726 |
(3) |
- |
- |
- |
2,366,152 |
||||||||||||
White |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
17,432 |
- |
- |
1,125,061 |
|||||||||||||
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
65,598 |
64.54 |
1,125,073 |
||||||||||||||
125,000 |
1,000,000 |
2,500,000 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
47 |
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2024 Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information concerning option awards and stock awards that were outstanding as of
Option Awards |
Stock Awards |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Number of |
Number of |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of |
Option |
Option |
Number of |
Market value |
Equity Incentive |
Equity Incentive |
|||||||||||||||
|
420,000 |
- |
- |
33.89 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||||||
300,000 |
- |
- |
29.25 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||||
350,000 |
- |
- |
40.44 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||||
500,000 |
- |
- |
44.28 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||||
450,000 |
- |
- |
61.16 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||||
225,000 |
- |
- |
71.46 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||||
178,245 |
- |
- |
68.52 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||||
168,748 |
(1) |
56,252 |
(1) |
- |
81.40 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||
- |
- |
225,000 |
(2) |
81.40 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||||||
91,757 |
(3) |
117,975 |
(3) |
- |
59.17 |
|
43,362 |
(4) |
3,285,972 |
(5) |
260,176 |
(6) |
19,716,137 |
(5) |
||||||||||
- |
218,659 |
(7) |
- |
64.54 |
|
58,943 |
(8) |
4,466,701 |
(5) |
235,772 |
(9) |
17,866,802 |
(5) |
|||||||||||
|
50,000 |
- |
- |
38.66 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||||||
180,000 |
- |
- |
40.44 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||||
100,000 |
- |
- |
54.35 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||||
300,000 |
- |
- |
44.28 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||||
275,000 |
- |
- |
61.16 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||||
140,000 |
- |
- |
71.46 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||||
110,908 |
- |
- |
68.52 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||||
131,249 |
(1) |
43,751 |
(1) |
- |
81.40 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||
- |
- |
175,000 |
(2) |
81.40 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||||||
73,406 |
(3) |
94,380 |
(3) |
- |
59.17 |
|
34,690 |
(4) |
3,887,135 |
(5) |
208,140 |
(6) |
15,772,849 |
(5) |
||||||||||
- |
174,928 |
(7) |
- |
64.54 |
|
47,154 |
(8) |
3,573,330 |
(5) |
188,618 |
(9) |
14,293,472 |
(5) |
|||||||||||
|
20,627 |
(10) |
41,255 |
(10) |
- |
56.29 |
|
78,746 |
(11) |
5,967,372 |
(5) |
72,690 |
(6) |
5,508,448 |
(5) |
|||||||||
- |
58,310 |
(7) |
- |
64.54 |
|
15,719 |
(8) |
1,191,186 |
(5) |
62,874 |
(9) |
4,764,592 |
(5) |
|||||||||||
|
56,000 |
- |
- |
50.01 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||||||
50,000 |
- |
- |
61.16 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||||
60,000 |
- |
- |
71.46 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||||
67,499 |
(1) |
22,501 |
(1) |
- |
81.40 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||||
- |
- |
90,000 |
(2) |
81.40 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||||||
27,527 |
(3) |
35,393 |
(3) |
- |
59.17 |
|
13,009 |
(4) |
985,822 |
(5) |
78,054 |
(6) |
5,914,932 |
(5) |
||||||||||
- |
65,598 |
(7) |
- |
64.54 |
|
17,684 |
(8) |
1,340,094 |
(5) |
70,734 |
(9) |
5,360,223 |
(5) |
48 |
|
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
2024 Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table sets forth information concerning stock options that were exercised and stock awards that vested by our named executive officers in 2024 and the values realized.
Option Awards |
Stock Awards |
||||||||
|
Number of |
Value |
Number of shares |
Value |
|||||
|
380,000 |
18,401,515 |
21,456 |
834,551 |
|||||
|
500,000 |
21,192,218 |
17,165 |
492,033 |
|||||
|
- |
- |
39,115 |
1,568,691 |
|||||
|
69,000 |
2,083,423 |
6,437 |
412,012 |
|
49 |
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control
Our Compensation Committee believes
"Cause" means (a)
"Good reason" generally means the occurrence of any of the following events without
Equity awards granted in
The table below reflects the estimated amount of compensation payable to
Payments to |
Termination |
For cause |
Change |
Termination without |
Disability |
Death |
||||||||||||
Base salary |
2,000,000 |
(2) |
- |
- |
2,000,000 |
(2) |
- |
- |
||||||||||
Annual bonus |
16,560,000 |
(3) |
- |
- |
16,560,000 |
(3) |
8,280,000 |
(4) |
8,280,000 |
(4) |
||||||||
Stock options and stock awards |
- |
- |
- |
46,815,313 |
(5) |
29,311,257 |
(6) |
29,311,257 |
(6) |
|||||||||
Health and welfare benefits |
2,434 |
(7) |
- |
- |
2,434 |
(7) |
- |
- |
||||||||||
Disability benefits |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||
Life insurance proceeds |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
||||||||||||
Total |
18,562,434 |
- |
- |
65,377,747 |
37,591,257 |
37,591,257 |
50 |
|
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
"Cause" means (i) the Company's determination that
Equity awards granted in December 2020 or later to our executive officers only provide for "double-trigger" acceleration in connection with a change in control - i.e. if an executive officer experiences a qualifying termination of employment within twenty-four (24) months of a change in control. Equity awards granted to our executive officers are also subject to accelerated vesting in the event of a termination of employment due to their death or disability (as defined in the applicable stock incentive plan), with time-vesting awards becoming fully vested on such termination, and a pro-rata portion (as defined in the applicable stock incentive plan) of performance-based awards becoming vested on such termination based on the actual achievement level of the performance goals measured as of the date of such termination as determined by the Compensation Committee.
The table below reflects the estimated amount of compensation payable to
Payments to |
Termination |
Termination |
Disability |
Death |
||||||
Base salary |
600,000 |
(1) |
600,000 |
(1) |
- |
- |
||||
Annual bonus |
1,400,000 |
(2) |
1,400,000 |
(2) |
- |
- |
||||
Stock options and stock awards |
- |
18,070,228 |
(3) |
13,331,319 |
(4) |
13,331,319 |
(4) |
|||
Total |
2,000,000 |
20,070,228 |
13,331,319 |
13,331,319 |
|
51 |
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
Other Named Executive Officers
Assuming a termination date of December 31, 2024, none of our named executive officers other than
Equity awards granted in December 2020 or later to our executive officers only provide for "double-trigger" acceleration in connection with a change in control - i.e. if an executive officer experiences a qualifying termination of employment within twenty-four (24) months of a change in control. Equity awards granted to our executive officers are also subject to accelerated vesting in the event of a termination of employment due to their death or disability (as defined in the applicable stock incentive plan), with time-vesting awards becoming fully vested on such termination, and a pro-rata portion (as defined in the applicable stock incentive plan) of performance-based awards becoming vested on such termination based on the actual achievement level of the performance goals measured as of the date of such termination as determined by the Compensation Committee.
The table below sets forth, as of December 31, 2024, the unvested stock awards that would have become fully vested upon a change of control and with a qualifying termination following a change of control for Messrs. Kanwar and White, or in the event of death or disability resulting in accelerated vesting of their equity awards.
|
Value of unvested |
Disability |
Death |
|||||
|
37,452,172 |
23,448,977 |
23,448,977 |
|||||
|
14,044,920 |
8,793,606 |
8,793,606 |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table includes information as of December 31, 2024 for our equity compensation plans.
Plan Category |
Number of securities |
Weighted-average |
Number of securities |
||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders |
31,299,751 |
$60.22 |
14,056,813 |
||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders |
- |
- |
- |
||||||
Total |
31,299,751 |
$60.22 |
14,056,813 |
52 |
|
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
2024 Pay Ratio Disclosure
Pay Ratio
In accordance with the requirements of the Pay Ratio Rule, we are providing the following estimated information for 2024:
Methodology for Identifying Our "Median Employee"
Employee Population
To identify our "median employee", we first determined our total employee population as permitted under the Pay Ratio Rule. We determined that, as of December 31, 2024 (the date we selected for purposes of identifying our median employee), our employee population consisted of approximately 26,800 individuals (of which approximately 42% were located in
Adjustments to our Employee Population
As permitted by the Pay Ratio Rule, we adjusted our total employee population for purposes of identifying our "median employee" by excluding 1,152 (or 4.3%) of our employees who were located in certain jurisdictions outside of
After taking into account this adjustment to our employee population, our total adjusted employee population for purposes of determining our "median employee" consisted of approximately 25,700 individuals.
Determining our Median Employee
To identify our "median employee" from our total adjusted employee population, we compared these employees' base pay. In making this determination, we annualized the compensation of our full-time and part-time employees who were hired in 2024 but did not work for us for the entire fiscal year. We identified our "median employee" using this compensation measure, which was consistently applied to all of our employees included in the calculation.
We did not make any cost-of-living adjustments in identifying our "median employee."
Our Median Employee
Using the methodologies described above, we determined that our "median employee" was a full-time, salaried employee located in
Determination of Annual Total Compensation of our "Median Employee" and our CEO
Once we identified our "median employee", we then calculated such employee's annual total compensation for 2024 using the same methodology we used for purposes of determining the annual total compensation of our NEOs for 2024 (as set forth in the 2024 Summary Compensation Table on page46of this proxy statement).
Our CEO's annual total compensation for 2024 for purposes of the Pay Ratio Rule is equal to the amount reported in the "Total" column in the 2024 Summary Compensation Table.
|
53 |
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
2024 Pay versus Performance
The following table sets forth the compensation for our Chief Executive Officer and the average compensation for our other named executive officers, both as reported in the Summary Compensation Table and with certain adjustments to reflect the "compensation actually paid" to such individuals, as defined under
Pay Versus Performance Table |
|||||||||||||||||
Average |
Average |
Value of initial fixed $100 |
|||||||||||||||
Year |
Summary |
Compensation |
non-PEO |
non-PEO |
Total |
Peer group |
Net income |
Adjusted |
|||||||||
2024 |
25,870,693 |
32,403,858 |
11,694,066 |
15,046,583 |
131.10 |
207.86 |
$761.7million |
$2,281.0million |
|||||||||
2023 |
20,098,164 |
18,813,540 |
9,685,286 |
9,263,980 |
104.24 |
165.92 |
$608.6million |
$2,107.7million |
|||||||||
2022(2) |
12,810,392 |
(19,755,647) |
5,421,332 |
(8,792,406) |
87.45 |
120.45 |
$649.0million |
$2,006.1million |
|||||||||
2021 |
22,981,889 |
28,938,956 |
9,169,220 |
8,831,721 |
135.93 |
153.97 |
$800.6million |
$2,064.8million |
|||||||||
2020 |
14,514,142 |
21,049,494 |
6,033,595 |
9,268,227 |
119.51 |
118.07 |
$625.2million |
$1,854.0million |
2024 |
||||||||
Principal |
Non-PEO |
|||||||
Summary Compensation Table Total |
25,870,693 |
11,694,066 |
||||||
Less Stock Award Value Reported in Summary Compensation Table for the Covered Year |
(15,387,297 |
) |
(7,009,815 |
) |
||||
Plus Fair Value for Awards Granted in the Covered Year |
17,971,336 |
8,186,997 |
||||||
Change in Fair Value of Outstanding Unvested Awards from |
3,566,995 |
2,005,819 |
||||||
Change in Fair Value of Awards from |
382,131 |
169,516 |
||||||
Less Fair Value of Awards Forfeited during the Covered Year |
- |
- |
||||||
Compensation Actually Paid |
32,403,858 |
15,046,583 |
Fair values set forth in the table above are computed in accordance with ASC 718 as of the end of the respective fiscal year, other than fair values of awards that vest in the covered year, which are valued as of the applicable vesting date. The assumptions included in the fair value of equity awards included in the calculation of Compensation Actually Paid differ from those previously disclosed as of the grant date of such awards primarily due to the lapse of time following the date of grant and, in the case of stock options, a change in the expected term of the options. The change in expected term of the options also impacts the determination of the expected volatility and risk-free interest rate.
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA |
Adjusted Revenue |
Adjusted EPS Growth |
Operating Cash Flow |
Organic Revenue Growth |
54 |
|
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
These financial measures generally reflect those used internally to measure the Company's performance and represent key drivers of sustainable stockholder value creation for our Company. We do not consider any one of the above performance measures, taken in isolation, to be the most important financial measure for our executive compensation design. However, for purposes of the table above, we have deemed Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA as our "most important" financial measure used to link our NEO's compensation with performance because it is a key component of our 2024 annual bonus program and critical indicator of the Company's growth and financial health used by our investors and stockholders. For more detail on we link these measures with performance of our NEOs, see "Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Design and Structure of Executive Compensation" on page37of this proxy statement.
The following tables reflect additional information regarding the relationships between the items included in the Pay Versus Performance Table above over the covered years:
COMPENSATION ACTUALLY PAID COMPARED TO CUMULATIVE TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN AND PEER GROUP TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN
|
55 |
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
COMPENSATION ACTUALLY PAID COMPARED TO NET INCOME
COMPENSATION ACTUALLY PAID COMPARED TO ADJUSTED CONSOLIDATED EBITDA
56 |
|
Proposal 3:
Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee has appointed the firm of
The board of directors recommends that you voteFORthe ratification of |
Proxies solicited by management will be voted for the ratification of the appointment of PwC unless stockholders specify otherwise. Although we are not required to submit the appointment to a vote of our stockholders, the Board believes it is appropriate as a matter of policy to request that our stockholders ratify the appointment of PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm. If our stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee may investigate the reasons for stockholder rejection and consider whether to retain PwC or appoint another independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Board and the Audit Committee in their discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.
PwC has no direct or indirect material financial interest in the Company or our subsidiaries. Representatives of PwC are expected to be present at the 2025 annual meeting and will be given the opportunity to make a statement on the firm's behalf if they so desire. Representatives of PwC also will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Fees Paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
The following table summarizes the fees of PwC billed to us for each of fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023.
Nature of Service |
2024 |
2023 |
|||||||
Audit Fees(1) |
$ |
10,812,597 |
$ |
10,661,779 |
|||||
Audit-Related Fees(2) |
4,199,849 |
4,095,527 |
|||||||
Tax Fees(3) |
165,276 |
314,333 |
|||||||
All Other Fees(4) |
2,020 |
909 |
|||||||
Total |
$ |
15,179,742 |
$ |
15,072,548 |
|
57 |
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Audit Committee Approval Policies and Procedures
All the services described above were approved by our Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work performed by the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit (including audit-related) services and permitted non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with the pre-approval policies and procedures established by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee annually approves the scope and fee estimates for the quarterly reviews, year-end audit, statutory audits and tax work to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm for the next fiscal year. With respect to other permitted services, management defines and presents specific projects and categories of service for which the advance approval of the Audit Committee is requested. The Audit Committee pre-approves specific engagements, projects and categories of services on a fiscal year basis, subject to individual project thresholds and annual thresholds. In assessing requests for services by the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee considers whether such services are consistent with the independent registered public accounting firm's independence, whether the independent registered public accounting firm is likely to provide the most effective and efficient service based upon their familiarity with us, and whether the service could enhance our ability to manage or control risk or improve audit quality.
Report of theAudit Committee
The Audit Committee has reviewed our audited financial statements for fiscal 2024 and has discussed these financial statements with our management and PwC, our independent registered public accounting firm.
The Audit Committee has also discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the
Our independent registered public accounting firm also provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm's communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm its independence from us.
Based on its discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, and its review of the representations and information provided by management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
By the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of
58 |
|
Proposal 4:
Approval of
Technologies Holdings, Inc.
Second Amended and Restated 2023 Stock Incentive Plan
We are asking our stockholders to approve a second amendment and restatement of the
Other than the changes described above, there are no material changes being made to the Plan.
Overview
The grant of equity incentive awards is a key element of our executive and non-employee director compensation programs that helps ensure a continued strong link between the interests of our executives and directors with those of our stockholders. In addition, we actively compete for highly qualified employees in many geographies across many skill sets and our equity program is a key component of our strategy to attract and retain key individuals. As described in the "Compensation Discussion & Analysis" section of this proxy statement, our compensation philosophy focuses on pay for performance, and under our long-term equity incentive program, we deliver a significant portion of our executive officers' compensation in the form of equity incentive awards, with an emphasis on performance-based awards. Accordingly, the Board believes it is critical to ensure that we have sufficient share capacity under our long-term equity incentive program to continue to make grants of equity incentive awards to our employees and other service providers.
Our stockholders previously approved the Company's 2023 Stock Incentive Plan ("Original 2023 Plan") at the annual meeting of the Company's stockholders held on May 17, 2023, and approved the Amended and Restated 2023 Stock Incentive Plan ("Amended 2023 Plan") at the annual meeting of the Company's stockholders held on May 28, 2024. As of February 28, 2025 , approximately 6,479,508 shares of our common stock remained available for issuance pursuant to future grants under the Amended 2023 Plan, representing 2.6% of our issued and outstanding common stock as of that date. The Board has determined that the current share reserve amount would be insufficient to meet our future needs with respect to attracting, motivating, and retaining key executives and employees in a competitive market for talent. Accordingly, we believe that approving the amendment is necessary to allow us to continue to utilize equity awards to retain and attract the services of our executive officers and other key individuals essential to Company's long-term growth and financial success and to further align their interests with those of our stockholders.
The second amendment and restatement, if approved by stockholders at the 2025 annual meeting, would increase the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan by 6,000,000 shares. The increase in share reserve represents an incremental dilution of approximately 2.4% the shares of the Company outstanding on a fully-diluted basis as of February 28, 2025, and is intended to provide us with sufficient shares for grants to be made over the next year. The Board believes the number of shares underlying the Plan represents a reasonable amount of potential additional equity dilution, and is committed to effectively managing our share reserves for equity compensation while minimizing stockholder dilution. In addition, if approved by stockholders, the term of the Plan will be extended to the tenth anniversary of the date of the stockholders' approval at the 2025 annual meeting.
In determining the number of shares to be requested for stockholder approval under this Proposal 4, the Board and the Compensation Committee considered the advice of FW Cook, the Compensation Committee's independent compensation consultant, the Company's historical annual share usage; the number of shares remaining available under the existing Amended 2023 Plan; the number of outstanding equity awards under the Company's stock incentive plans, including the
If stockholders do not approve the amendment and restatement, then the Amended 2023 Plan will remain in effect in accordance with its existing terms and we will continue to grant equity incentive awards under the existing Amended 2023 Plan until the earlier of the date on
|
59 |
Approval of
which there ceases to be any shares remaining available for issuance under the existing Amended 2023 Plan or its expiration on May 28, 2034. Following the exhaustion of the remaining share reserve thereunder or the expiration of the existing Amended 2023 Plan, we will be unable to maintain our equity grant practices and our future ability to issue equity-based awards will be limited and, therefore, we will be at significant competitive disadvantage in attracting and retaining talent. We may also be compelled to replace equity incentive awards with cash awards, which may not align the interests of our executives and employees with those of our stockholders as effectively as equity incentive awards.
Compensation and Governance Best Practices
The Plan includes various compensation and governance best practices with some of the key features as follows:
60 |
|
Approval of
Summary of Key Stock Plan Data
Share Usage
The following table sets forth information regarding stock-settled, time-vested equity awards granted, and performance-based equity awards earned, over each of the last three fiscal years:
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
Three Year |
||||||||||||||
Stock Options/SARs Granted |
2,010,367 |
644,492 |
3,162,679 |
1,939,179 |
|||||||||||||
Restricted Shares/RSUs Granted |
3,182,027 |
994,643 |
2,349,298 |
2,175,323 |
|||||||||||||
Performance-Based Stock Options Vested* |
360,451 |
- |
- |
120,150 |
|||||||||||||
Performance-Based Full Value Awards Vested* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||||||||
Weighted-Average Basic Common Shares Outstanding |
246,380,412 |
248,301,620 |
253,973,709 |
249,551,914 |
|||||||||||||
Share Usage Rate |
2.3 |
% |
0.7 |
% |
2.2 |
% |
1.7 |
% |
Overhang as of February 28, 2025
The following table sets forth certain information as of February 28, 2025, unless otherwise noted, with respect to all of the Company's outstanding equity awards under all plans. The fully-diluted "overhang" assumes that the entire share reserve is granted in stock options/SARs.
Shares Available for Grant under the existing Amended 2023 Plan (a)* |
6,479,508 |
||
Additional shares requested for approval under the Plan (b) |
6,000,000 |
||
Shares subject to outstanding stock options/SARs |
29,310,118 |
||
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options/SARs |
$62.10 |
||
Weighted-average remaining term of outstanding stock options/SARs |
5.7 years |
||
Shares subject to outstanding full-value stock awards** |
6,276,580 |
||
Total Outstanding Stock Options/SARs and Full-Value Stock Awards (c)** |
35,586,698 |
||
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding as of February 28, 2025 (d) |
246,373,162 |
||
Fully-diluted Overhang (a+b+c) divided by (a+b+c+d) |
16.3% |
* For reference purposes, the remaining shares available for grant under the existing Amended 2023 Plan is denoted as of February 28, 2025.
** Includes performance stock units ("PSUs") reflected at target levels.
As of February 28, 2025, the per-share closing price of our common stock as reported on Nasdaq was $88.80.
Dilution and Expected Duration
Our Board recognizes the impact of dilution on our shareholders and has evaluated this share request carefully in the context of the need to motivate, retain and ensure that our leadership team and key employees are focused on our strategic priorities. The total fully-diluted overhang as of February 28, 2025, assuming that the entire share reserve is granted in stock options or SARs, would be 16.3% and the total fully-diluted overhang, assuming the share reserve is granted in full-value awards only, would be 14.1%. The Company's historical practice has been to grant a combination of stock options and full-value awards, resulting in potential overhang between these two levels. In this context, fully-diluted overhang is calculated as the sum of grants outstanding and shares available for future awards (numerator) divided by the sum of the numerator
|
61 |
Approval of
and basic common shares outstanding, with all data effective as of February 28, 2025. Our Board believes that the proposed share reserve represents a reasonable amount of potential equity dilution to accommodate our long-term strategic and growth priorities.
We expect that the share reserve under the Plan, if this proposal is approved by our shareholders, will be sufficient for awards for approximately one year. Expectations regarding future share usage could be impacted by a number of factors such as award type mix; hiring and promotion activity at the executive level; the rate at which shares are returned to the Plan's reserve under permitted addbacks; the future performance of our stock price; the consequences of acquiring other companies; and other factors. While we believe that the assumptions we used are reasonable, future share usage may differ from current expectations.
Summary Description of the Plan
The following is a summary of the material terms of the Plan as approved by the Board. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Plan, a copy of which isattached as Appendix B to this proxy statement.
Purpose
The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Company's stockholders by enhancing the ability of the Company and its affiliates to attract, retain and motivate persons who are expected to make important contributions and by providing such persons with equity ownership opportunities that are intended to better align the interests of such persons with those of the Company's stockholders.
Eligibility to Receive Awards
Employees (including officers), non-employee directors, consultants and advisors of the Company, its parent and subsidiary corporations and other businessventures in which the Company has a controlling interest are eligible to be granted awards under the Plan.
As of March 25, 2025, there were approximately 27,000 employees and consultants and 8 non-employee directors eligible to participate. The basis for participation in the Plan is the Compensation Committee's (or its authorized delegate's) decision, in its sole discretion, that an award to an eligible participant will further the Plan's purposes as described above. In exercising its discretion, the Compensation Committee (or its delegate) will consider the recommendations of management and the purposes of the Plan.
In addition, holders of equity compensation awards granted by a company that is acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines will be eligible for grants of substitute awards under the Plan to the extent permitted under applicable stock exchange regulations ("substitute awards").
Administration
The Plan is administered by the Board, which has delegated its administrative powers under the plan to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee: (1) has authority to grant awards and determine the terms and conditions of any awards; (2) has authority to adopt, amend and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the plan as it deems advisable; (3) may construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and any award agreement thereunder and make all determinations necessary or advisable in administering the Plan and award agreements; and (4) may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any award agreement. All actions and decisions by the Compensation Committee with respect to the plan and any awards are made in its sole discretion and are final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or in any award. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board or the Compensation Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the power to grant Awards (except that no officer may grant awards to any officer or non-employee-director of the Company).
Number of Shares Available for Awards
Subject to certain adjustment events set forth in the Plan (and except for substitute awards), the aggregate maximum number of shares authorized for issuance pursuant to awards will equal the sum of (i) 20,100,000 shares (which includes (x) the existing reserve of 14,100,000 shares under the Amended 2023 Plan) and (y) an increase of 6,000,000 shares, as approved by the Board, subject to approval by the Company's stockholders, and (ii) the total number of shares that remained available for issuance under the 2014 Plan as of the date of approval of the Original 2023 Plan by the Company's stockholders on May 17, 2023. As of February 28, 2025, approximately 6,479,508 shares remained available for issuance under the Amended 2023 Plan.
If any award under the Plan or the 2014 Plan expires, terminates or is otherwise surrendered, cancelled, forfeited or terminated without the delivery of shares, the unused shares covered by such Award will again be available for grant pursuant to the ratio described below. In addition, any shares subject to an award under the Plan or the 2014 Plan that is a full-value award that are delivered to or withheld by the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations will again be available for issuance under the Plan. Any shares under an award under the Plan or the 2014 Plan that are (i) tendered or withheld in payment of an option or SAR's exercise or reference price, (ii) covered by a stock-settled SAR that are not issued upon settlement of the SAR, (iii) delivered to or withheld by the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to options or
62 |
|
Approval of
SARs, or (iv) reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of options, will not be added back to the number of shares available for issuance.
For purposes of the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, including the share recycling provisions described above, each share issued pursuant to a full-value award will count as 2.5 shares for every one share underlying such award and each share issued pursuant to an option or SAR will count as one share for every one share underlying such award.
Shares underlying substitute awards and shares remaining available for grant under a plan of an acquired company or of a company with which the Company combines, appropriately adjusted to reflect the acquisition or combination transaction, will not reduce the number of shares remaining available for issuance under the Plan.
Award Limits
The maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to incentive stock options ("ISOs") is 20,100,000.
A participant who is a non-employee director may not receive compensation for service on the Board, including cash payments and awards granted under the Plan, for any calendar year in excess of (i) $1,000,000 for such director's year of appointment or election to the Board or (ii) $750,000 for each year thereafter.
Types of Awards
The Plan provides for the grant of stock options, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs, performanceawards, and other stock-based awards. Options and SARs may not be granted at an exercise or reference price (as applicable) which is less than the fair market value per share on the grant date (except with respect to substitute awards) and may not be granted for a term in excess of ten years. In accordance with tax rules, ISOs may only be granted toemployees.
No Repricing
Unless approved by the Company's stockholders, the Company may not (i) amend any outstanding stock option, SAR or similar stock-based award to provide an exercise or reference price that is lower than the then-current exercise or reference price per share, (ii) cancel any outstanding stock option, SAR or similar stock-based award and grant in substitution of such award new awards covering the same or a different number of shares and having an exercise or reference price per share lower than the then-current exercise or reference price per share of such cancelled Award; (iii) cancel in exchange for a cash payment any outstanding stock option, SAR or similar stock-based award with an exercise or reference price per share above the then-current fair market value or (iv) take any other action under the Plan that constitutes a "repricing" within the meaning of the Nasdaq rules.
Dividends and Dividend Equivalents
Unless provided otherwise in any award agreement, the recipient of a restricted stock award, RSU or performance award may, if so determined by the Compensation Committee, be eligible to receive cash, stock or other property dividends in amounts equivalent to cash, stock or other property dividends on shares with respect to the number of shares covered by the award. Any such amounts will be subject to the same vesting or performance conditions as the underlying award. Accordingly, with respect to any award subject to any service-based or performance-based vesting conditions, the associated dividends or dividend equivalents will not be paid unless and until (and to the same extent) the relevant vesting conditions have been satisfied. In addition, the Compensation Committee may provide that such amounts will be deemed to have been reinvested in additional shares or otherwise reinvested. In no event will dividend equivalents be paid with respect to options or SARs.
|
63 |
Approval of
Performance Goals
The Compensation Committee mayestablish objectively determinable performance goals for a performance award based on one or more business criteria approved by stockholders. The business criteria may beexpressed in terms
Minimum Vesting Requirement
Awards granted under the Plan will vest no earlier than the first anniversary of the grant date of the award, except in the case of (i) substitute awards, (ii) shares delivered in lieu of fully vested cash obligations, (iii) awards to non-employee directors that vest on the earlier of the one-year anniversary of the grant date of such award and the next annual meeting of stockholders which is at least 50 weeks after the immediately preceding year's annual meeting, and (iv) any additional awards up to a maximum of five percent (5%) of the share pool. This restriction also does not apply to accelerated vesting of awards under the Plan in connection with a termination of employment due to death or disability or to the Compensation Committee's discretion to provide for accelerated exercisability or vesting of any award as permitted under the Plan.
Transferability of Awards
Except as the Board may otherwise permit with respect to certain transfers in accordance with limitations specified in the Plan, awards may not besold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the person to whom they are granted, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will orthe laws of descent and distribution or other limited circumstances. In no event may an award be transferred to a third party for financial consideration.
Changes in Capitalization
The Company is required to make equitable adjustments (if necessary to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits to be provided under the Plan) to the number of type of securities available under the Plan, the share counting rules and sub-limits specified under the Plan and the number and type of securities and, if applicable, exercise or reference price per share of each outstanding award in the manner determined by theCompensation Committee, in the event of any dividend or distribution (other than an ordinary dividend or distribution) stock splits, recapitalizations, combinations of shares, reclassifications of shares, spin-offs, reorganization, mergers, consolidations, repurchase or exchange of securities and other similarcorporate transactions or changes in capitalization or events affecting shares.
Effect of a Change in Control
In the event of a "change in control" (as defined in the Plan and described below), the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion take any one or more of the following actions with respect to outstanding awards (unless otherwise specified in an award agreement):
64 |
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Approval of
Under the Plan, a "change in control" generally means the occurrence of one or more of the following events:
Effect of Termination of Service
Except as may otherwise be provided in an award agreement or permitted under the Plan, if a participant's employment or service is terminated for any reason, any award that is unvested will terminate on the date of such termination of employment or service and any option or SAR award that is vested will remain exercisable for 90 days after the termination date (subject to earlier expiration of the term). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a participant's termination of employment or service due to death or Disability (as defined in the Plan): (a) all outstanding and unvested restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, and stock option awards that are subject only to time-based vesting conditions will, subject to the other terms and conditions of the applicable award agreements, become vested; and (b) a pro-rata portion of outstanding and unvested performance awards (including performance stock units and performance stock options) will become vested subject to the other terms and conditions of the applicable award agreements and provided that any applicable performance goals will be deemed achieved based on the actual level of performance of such performance goals as of the date of such termination of service, as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.
Authorization of Sub-Plans for Grants to Non-
The Compensation Committee may establish one or more sub-plans under the Plan to satisfy applicable securities, tax or other laws of variousjurisdictions, by adopting supplements to the Plan containing any limitations on the Compensation Committee's discretion and any additional termsand conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Compensation Committee deems necessary or desirable with respect to participants in theapplicable jurisdiction.
Clawback
The Compensation Committee has full authority to implement any policies and procedures from time to time, including as necessary to comply with applicable law and stock exchange rules. Any awards granted under the Plan will be subject to any such clawback or recoupment arrangements or policies of the Company in place from time to time, including the cancellation or reimbursement of any awards granted, shares issued or cash received upon the vesting, exercise or settlement of any awards granted or the sale of shares underlying such awards.
Amendment or Termination
The Compensation Committee may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the Plan; however, no amendment requiringstockholder approval under applicable legal, regulatory or listing requirements will become effective until such stockholder approval is obtained.
Effectiveness and Term
The Plan will become effective upon the date of approval by the Company's stockholders at the 2025 annual meeting. Awards may be granted under the Plan at any time prior to the tenth anniversary of the date of approval of the amendment and restatement by the Company's stockholders at the 2025 annual meeting, unless the Board earlier terminates the Plan or the maximum number of shares available for issuance has been issued. Awards granted prior to such termination date will remain outstanding in accordance with their terms (including the administration, adjustment, and amendment provisions).
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of
|
65 |
Approval of
Incentive Stock Options
A participant will not recognize ordinary income tax upon an ISO's grant. Also, except as described below, a participant will not recognize ordinary income tax upon an ISO's exercise if theparticipant has been employed by the Company or its corporate parent or 50% or more-owned corporate subsidiary at all times beginning with the option grant dateand ending three months before the exercise. If the participant has not been so employed during that time, then the participant will be taxed as described belowunder "Nonqualified Stock Options." An ISO's exercise may subject the participant to the alternative minimum tax.
A participant will recognize ordinary income tax upon the sale of the shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO at a profit (if sales proceeds exceed the exercise price). If a participant sells the shares more than two years after the option's grant and more than one year after its exercise,then all of the profit will be subject to long-term capital gains tax. If a participant sells the shares prior to satisfying these holding periods, then the participant will have engaged ina disqualifying disposition for purposes of Section 422 of the Code and the profit of the amount at which the shares are sole over the exercise price will be subject to ordinary income tax (and the Company may be entitled to a federal income tax deduction with respect tosuch income). Any additional gain recognized upon the sale will be treated as capital gain for which the Company will not be entitled to a deduction (the gain will be treated as long term if the participant has held the shares for more than one year and otherwise will betreated as short term). If a participant sells the shares at a price that is less than the exercise price, then the loss will be treated as a capital loss for which the Company will not be entitled to a deduction (the loss will be treated as longterm if the participant held the shares for more than one year and otherwise will be treated as short term).
Nonqualified Stock Options
A participant will not recognize ordinary income tax upon a nonqualified stock option's grant. A participant will recognize compensation income upon a nonqualified stock option'sexercise equal to the value of the shares on the exercise date less the exercise price. Upon sale of the shares, the participant will have capital gain or loss equal to thedifference between the sales proceeds and the value of the shares on the exercise date. This capital gain or loss will be treated as long term if the participant has held the stockfor more than one year and otherwise will be treated as short term. The Company generally will be entitled to a federal income tax deduction with respect to the participant'scompensation income.
Stock Appreciation Rights
A participant will not recognize ordinary income tax upon a SAR's grant. A participant will recognize ordinary income tax upon the SAR's exercise equal to the value of cash and/or the fair marketvalue (measured on the exercise date) of the shares received by the participant. This amount will be subject to income tax withholding. The Company generally willbe entitled to a federal income tax deduction with respect to the participant's compensation income.
Restricted Stock
Unless a participant makes an election to accelerate recognition of the income to the date of grant as described below, a participant will not recognize ordinary income tax, andthe Company will not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time a restricted stock award is granted, provided that the award is nontransferable or is subject to asubstantial risk of forfeiture. When the restrictions lapse, the participant will recognize ordinary income tax equal to the fair market value of the shares as of that date(less any amount he or she paid for the stock), and the Company will be allowed a corresponding federal income tax deduction at that time. If the participant files an election under Section 83(b) of the Code within 30 days after the date of grant ofthe restricted stock, he or she will recognize ordinary income tax as of the date of grant equal to the fair market value of the shares as of that date (less any amount paidfor the stock), and the Company will be allowed a corresponding federal income tax deduction at that time. Any future appreciation in the stock will be taxable to the participant at capital gains rates. However, if the stock is later forfeited, theparticipant will not be able to recover the tax previously paid pursuant to the election under Section 83(b).
Restricted Stock Units
A participant will not recognize ordinary income tax, and the Company will not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time a restricted stock unit award is granted. Upon receipt ofshares of stock (or the equivalent value in cash or other property) in settlement of a restricted stock unit award, a participant will recognize ordinary income tax equal to the fairmarket value of the shares or other property as of that date (less any amount he or she paid for the stock or property), and the Company will be allowed acorresponding federal income tax deduction at that time.
66 |
|
Approval of
New Plan Benefits
Grants under the Plan, if any, will be subject to the Compensation Committee's discretion. Therefore, we cannot determine the numberor type of awards that will be granted to any participant under the Plan for 2025 or any other year, and no information is provided concerning thebenefits to be delivered under the Plan to any individual or group of individuals. Information regarding our recent practices with respect to equity-based compensation is presented elsewhere in this proxy statement. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Design and Structure of Executive Compensation-Long-Term Incentive Equity Awards" beginning on page42and "Non-Employee Director Compensation" beginning on page28.
Existing Plan Benefits
The following table sets forth with respect to each of our NEOs listed in the Summary Compensation Table on page46and each group listed below (i) the number of shares of common stock subject to stock options granted under the Plan and (ii) the number of shares of common stock subject to RSUs and PSUs granted under the Plan (with the number of PSUs based on the target level of achievement of the performance goals), in each case since the approval of the Original 2023 Plan by our shareholders on May 17, 2023 through March 25, 2025 (without regard to whether any grants were subsequently forfeited, terminated or cancelled or shares were subsequently withheld). During this same time period, the Company has not made any grants under any other equity incentive plans.
|
Stock Options granted under the Plan (#) |
RSUs granted under the Plan (#) |
PSUs granted under the Plan (#) |
|
404,303 |
100,401 |
200,801 |
|
323,443 |
80,321 |
160,641 |
|
169,697 |
142,249 |
89,079 |
|
121,292 |
30,121 |
60,241 |
All current executive officers as a group (4 persons) |
1,018,735 |
353,092 |
510,762 |
All non-employee directors as a group (7 persons) |
- |
40,347 |
- |
All employees, including all current officers who are not executive officers, as a group (approximately 20,000 persons) |
3,935,701 |
5,655,280 |
510,762 |
Vote Required
This proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on such proposal at the annual meeting.
Registration with the
If our stockholders approve the amendment, we will file with the
Directors' Recommendation
The board of directors recommends that you voteForapproval of the Second Amended and Restated 2023 Stock Incentive Plan. |
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67 |
Ownership ofOur Common Stock
This table presents information concerning the beneficial ownership of the shares of our common stock as of March 25, 2025. Specifically, the table reflects beneficial ownership information about:
Beneficial ownership is determined under the rules of the
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of the persons and entities listed on the table is c/o
Shares Beneficially Owned |
||||
|
Number |
Percent of Class |
||
|
37,784,793 |
15.2% |
||
The Vanguard Group(2) |
20,215,026 |
8.2% |
||
|
16,598,958 |
6.7% |
||
Other Directors and Named Executive Officers |
||||
|
1,668,111 |
* |
||
|
989,925 |
* |
||
|
312,529 |
* |
||
|
164,528 |
* |
||
|
107,425 |
* |
||
|
82,400 |
* |
||
|
70,588 |
* |
||
|
39,925 |
* |
||
|
5,021 |
* |
||
|
- |
* |
||
All directors and executive officers, as a group, including |
41,225,245 |
16.4% |
68 |
|
Ownership of Our Common Stock
No DelinquentSection 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires certain officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership with the
|
69 |
General Information About the 2025 Annual Meeting
Your vote is important! |
You are cordially invited to attend the 2025 annual meeting, which will be held virtually. However, to ensure that your shares are represented at the 2025 annual meeting and that the Company has the quorum necessary to convene the 2025 annual meeting and conduct business, even if you plan to attend the 2025 annual meeting virtually, please complete, sign, date and retua proxy card promptly, or follow the instructions provided in the Notice of Internet Availability to vote electronically. Submitting a proxy or voting instructions in advance will not prevent you from attending the 2025 annual meeting virtually and voting electronically, if you so desire. If you received a printed copy of our proxy materials, a postage-paid, return-addressed envelope is enclosed for your convenience.
Voting Procedures
You may vote either electronically at the 2025 annual meeting, over the internet by following the instructions provided in the Notice of Internet Availability or by proxy. To vote by proxy, you must:
Whether or not you expect to attend the 2025 annual meeting virtually, you are requested to complete, sign, date and retuthe enclosed form of proxy (or, if you are a stockholder accessing these proxy materials via the internet, you are requested to vote by following the instructions for voting provided in the Notice). The shares represented by your proxy will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you attend the 2025 annual meeting, you may vote by ballot.
Your properly completed proxy card will appoint
All shares entitled to vote and represented by properly completed proxies received prior to the 2025 annual meeting and not revoked will be voted at the 2025 annual meeting in accordance with your instructions. If you do not indicate how your shares are to be voted on a matter, the shares represented by your properly executed proxy will be voted "FOR" the election of the nominee for director, "FOR" the non-binding resolution to approve the compensation of our named executive officers, "FOR" the proposal to ratify the appointment of
70 |
|
General Information About the 2024 Annual Meeting
Revocationof Proxies
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by (1) delivering to us a signed proxy card with a date later than the date of your previously delivered proxy, (2) voting electronically at the 2025 annual meeting, (3) changing your vote or revoking your proxy over the internet, or (4) sending a written revocation to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices. Shares represented by valid proxies that are received prior to the 2025 annual meeting and not revoked at or prior to the 2025 annual meeting will be voted at the 2025 annual meeting.
Stockholders Entitled to Vote
The Board has fixed March 25, 2025 as the record date for the 2025 annual meeting. You are entitled to vote (electronically or by proxy) at the 2025 annual meeting if you were a stockholder of record on the record date. On the record date, we had 246,406,279 shares of common stock outstanding (each of which entitles its holder to one vote). Holders of shares of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights.
Quorum
For all proposals on the agenda for the 2025 annual meeting, the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote must be present at the 2025 annual meeting in person or represented by proxy to constitute a quorum. Shares represented by all proxies received, including proxies that abstain from voting on a proposal, as well as broker non-votes (as described below), will be counted toward establishing a quorum.
Votes Required
For all proposals, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast by holders of all of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy will be required for approval. Shares that abstain and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes in favor of any proposal and will also not be counted as votes cast. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of any proposal.
If you hold shares of common stock through a bank, broker or other nominee, that party may under certain circumstances vote your shares if you do not timely provide them with voting instructions. Banks, brokers or other nominees have discretionary authority to vote customers' unvoted shares on routine matters. Your bank, broker or other nominee cannot vote your shares on any matter that is not considered a routine matter. Only Proposal 3, ratification of the appointment of
Solicitationof Proxies
We will bear the expenses of preparing, printing and assembling the materials used in the solicitation of proxies. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of the mail or the Internet, we may also use the services of some of our officers and employees (who will receive no compensation for such services in addition to their regular salaries) to solicit proxies personally and by telephone and email. Banks, brokers or other nominees will be requested to forward solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of shares of record held by them, and we will reimburse them for their reasonable expenses.
How We UseNotice & Access
We will distribute proxy materials to our stockholders over the Internet by sending them a Notice of Internet Availability ("Notice"), that explains how to access our proxy materials and vote online. Stockholders' access to our proxy materials via the Internet allows us to reduce printing and delivery costs and lessen adverse environmental impacts. If you received a Notice and would like us to send you a printed copy of our proxy materials, please follow the instructions included in your Notice or visit the applicable online voting website and request printed materials to be mailed at no cost to you.
This proxy statement and our Annual Report to Stockholders on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 are available for viewing, printing and downloading athttp://www.ssctech.com/2025annualmeeting.This proxy statement and our Annual Report to Stockholders on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 are also available on the
How to Attend theVirtual Annual Meeting
The 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
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71 |
General Information About the 2024 Annual Meeting
To attend the Annual Meeting as a stockholder, vote your shares electronically and submit questions online during the meeting, you must log in tohttp://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SSNC2025using the 16-digit control number found on your proxy card, voting instruction form or Notice. If you are not a stockholder or do not have your 16-digit control number, you may still attend the meeting online by logging onto the site, but you will not be able to vote or ask questions.
The virtual meeting platform is fully supported across browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari) and devices (desktops, laptops, tablets and cell phones) running the most updated version of applicable software and plugins. Participants should ensure that they have a strong WiFi connection wherever they intend to participate in the meeting. We recommend that you log in a few minutes before the meeting to ensure you are logged in when the meeting starts.
We encourage you to vote in advance of the meeting, but you may also vote your shares electronically during the annual meeting. Voting at the meeting will revoke any prior votes cast.
You may submit questions during the meeting by entering a question in the "Ask a Question" field and we will respond to questions as time permits. If we receive questions that we deem to be substantially similar, which, we may group such questions together and provide a single response to avoid repetition and allow time for additional topics. Questions regarding personal matters or matters not relevant to the meeting will not be answered. The Rules of Conduct for the meeting, including the guidelines for submitting questions, the stockholder list and the Proxy Materials, will be available on the virtual meeting site during the meeting.
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OtherMatters
As of the date of this proxy statement, we know of no other matters not specifically referred to in this proxy statement. If any other business should properly come before the 2025 annual meeting, individuals named in the proxy card or their designees will have discretionary authority to vote the shares they represent on those matters to the extent permitted by law.
Stockholder Proposalsand Director Nominations
For 2026 Annual Meeting
Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act must be received by us no later than December 4, 2025 in order to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting. Proposals should be sent by mail at
Stockholders who wish to submit a "proxy access" nomination for inclusion in our proxy statement in connection with our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders may do so by submitting a nomination notice to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices in compliance with the procedures and along with the other information required by our Bylaws, no earlier than November 4, 2025 and no later than December 4, 2025.
In addition, our Bylaws provide for an advance notice procedure for director nominations and stockholder proposals that are not submitted for inclusion in our proxy statement but that a stockholder instead wishes to present at an annual meeting. The required notice must be delivered by the stockholder and received by our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices no earlier than January 21, 2026 and no later than February 20, 2026 and must comply with the additional requirements of our Bylaws.
Householdingof Proxies
The
Once you have received notice from your broker or us that they or we will be householding materials to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent.
If, at any time, (1) you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate annual report and/or proxy statement in the future or (2) you and another stockholder sharing the same address wish to participate in householding and prefer to receive a single copy of our annual report and/or proxy statement, please notify your broker if your shares are held in a brokerage account or us if you hold registered shares. You can notify us by sending a written request via email toinvestorrelations@sscinc.com,
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73 |
AppendixA:
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Non-GAAP Reconciliations
Adjusted revenues, total 2024 annual bonus program revenues and organic revenue growth are key metrics used in determining annual bonuses for executive officers. Adjusted revenues represent revenues adjusted to include a) amounts that would have been recognized if deferred revenue were not adjusted to fair value at the date of acquisition and b) amounts that would have been recognized if not for adjustments to deferred revenue and retained earnings related to the adoption of ASC 606. Total 2024 annual bonus program revenues are further adjusted to exclude the favorable or unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates on revenues earned in 2024 based on the difference between foreign exchange rates used in the development of our 2024 revenue target and actual foreign exchange rates in place during the year ended December 31, 2024. During the year ended December 31, 2024, foreign exchange rates were favorable compared to rates used in establishing the 2024 revenue target and therefore an adjustment was made to decrease 2024 annual bonus program revenues. Organic revenue growth compares the year-over-year revenue change after excluding the impact of acquisitions and foreign exchange.
For the Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||
(in millions) |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
||||||||||
Revenues |
$ |
5,882.0 |
$ |
5,502.8 |
$ |
5,283.0 |
|||||||
ASC 606 adoption impact |
(2.2 |
) |
(3.4 |
) |
(2.3 |
) |
|||||||
Purchase accounting adjustments impact on revenue |
5.9 |
6.4 |
6.6 |
||||||||||
Adjusted revenues |
$ |
5,885.7 |
$ |
5,505.8 |
$ |
5,287.3 |
|||||||
Foreign currency impact on revenues |
(9.8 |
) |
(14.4 |
) |
69.9 |
||||||||
Total annual bonus program revenues |
$ |
5,875.9 |
$ |
5,491.4 |
$ |
5,357.2 |
(in millions) |
|||||
2024 Adjusted Revenues |
$ |
5,885.7 |
|||
Foreign exchange impact |
(10.9 |
) |
|||
Acquisitions |
(31.7 |
) |
|||
2024 organic revenues |
5,843.1 |
||||
Other adjustments(1) |
0.7 |
||||
2024 adjusted organic revenues |
$ |
5,843.8 |
|||
2023 adjusted revenues |
$ |
5,505.8 |
|||
2024 organic revenue growth rate |
6.1 |
% |
74 |
|
Appendix A: Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA adjusted for foreign exchange movements are key metrics used in determining annual bonuses for executive officers. Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure used in key financial covenants contained in our senior credit facilities, which are material facilities supporting our capital structure and providing liquidity to our business. Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), and further adjusted to exclude stock compensation expense, unusual items and other adjustments permitted in calculating covenant compliance under the senior credit facilities, excluding acquired EBITDA. Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA does not represent net income or cash flow from operations as those terms are defined by GAAP and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. The following is a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA adjusted for foreign exchange movements.
For the Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
||||||||||||||||
Net income |
$ |
761.7 |
$ |
608.6 |
$ |
649.0 |
$ |
800.6 |
$ |
625.2 |
|||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
451.9 |
469.8 |
307.9 |
201.6 |
245.9 |
||||||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes |
132.0 |
249.1 |
227.1 |
236.4 |
150.6 |
||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
680.1 |
670.4 |
671.6 |
667.4 |
725.3 |
||||||||||||||||
EBITDA |
$ |
2,025.7 |
$ |
1,997.9 |
$ |
1,855.6 |
1,906.0 |
1,747.0 |
|||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
203.3 |
159.4 |
124.8 |
114.0 |
87.8 |
||||||||||||||||
Acquired EBITDA and cost savings(1) |
19.4 |
- |
4.2 |
1.3 |
2.3 |
||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net |
31.2 |
2.1 |
5.5 |
10.9 |
4.2 |
||||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net |
(24.4 |
) |
(100.0 |
) |
(25.8 |
) |
(25.4 |
) |
1.5 |
||||||||||||
Purchase accounting adjustments(2) |
6.8 |
9.3 |
9.4 |
6.3 |
6.9 |
||||||||||||||||
ASC 606 adoption impact |
(1.9 |
) |
(3.1 |
) |
(1.9 |
) |
1.0 |
5.2 |
|||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation (gains) losses |
8.2 |
(0.2 |
) |
11.2 |
8.1 |
(14.1 |
) |
||||||||||||||
Investment gains |
(19.6 |
) |
(19.0 |
) |
(38.7 |
) |
(30.1 |
) |
(26.7 |
) |
|||||||||||
Facilities and workforce restructuring |
41.4 |
56.8 |
32.3 |
30.0 |
34.0 |
||||||||||||||||
Acquisition related(3) |
3.3 |
(0.1 |
) |
41.5 |
45.0 |
- |
|||||||||||||||
Other(4) |
11.1 |
7.5 |
(6.7 |
) |
1.0 |
8.2 |
|||||||||||||||
Consolidated EBITDA |
$ |
2,304.5 |
$ |
2,110.6 |
$ |
2,011.4 |
$ |
2,068.1 |
$ |
1,856.3 |
|||||||||||
Less: acquired EBITDA and cost savings(1) |
(19.4 |
) |
- |
(4.2 |
) |
(1.3 |
) |
(2.3 |
) |
||||||||||||
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA |
$ |
2,285.1 |
$ |
2,110.6 |
$ |
2,007.2 |
$ |
2,066.8 |
$ |
1,854.0 |
|||||||||||
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interest(5) |
(4.1 |
) |
(2.9 |
) |
(1.1 |
) |
(2.0 |
) |
- |
||||||||||||
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA attributable to |
$ |
2,281.0 |
$ |
2,107.7 |
$ |
2,006.1 |
$ |
2,064.8 |
$ |
1,854.0 |
|||||||||||
Net foreign currency impact on revenues and expenses(6) |
(3.6 |
) |
(2.1 |
) |
10.2 |
N/A |
N/A |
||||||||||||||
Annual bonus program Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA |
$ |
2,277.4 |
$ |
2,105.6 |
$ |
2,016.3 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
75 |
Appendix A: Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to
Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share are not recognized terms under GAAP. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share do not represent net income or diluted earnings per share, as those terms are defined under GAAP, and should not be considered as alternatives to net income or diluted earnings per share as indicators of our operating performance. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to
For the Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share data) |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
||||||||||||||||
GAAP - Net income |
$ |
761.7 |
$ |
608.6 |
$ |
649.0 |
$ |
800.6 |
$ |
625.2 |
|||||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets |
606.6 |
596.6 |
595.4 |
586.3 |
619.7 |
||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discount |
8.4 |
13.5 |
13.9 |
13.2 |
13.8 |
||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
203.3 |
159.4 |
124.8 |
114.0 |
87.8 |
||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
31.2 |
2.1 |
5.5 |
10.9 |
4.2 |
||||||||||||||||
Purchase accounting adjustments(1) |
11.6 |
15.8 |
20.7 |
23.9 |
40.3 |
||||||||||||||||
ASC 606 adoption impact |
(1.9 |
) |
(3.1 |
) |
(1.9 |
) |
1.0 |
5.2 |
|||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net |
(24.4 |
) |
(100.0 |
) |
(25.8 |
) |
(25.4 |
) |
1.5 |
||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation (gains) losses |
8.2 |
(0.2 |
) |
11.2 |
8.1 |
(14.1 |
) |
||||||||||||||
Investment gains |
(1.6 |
) |
(2.2 |
) |
(38.7 |
) |
(30.1 |
) |
(25.7 |
) |
|||||||||||
Facilities and workforce restructuring |
41.4 |
56.8 |
32.4 |
30.0 |
34.0 |
||||||||||||||||
Acquisition related(2) |
3.3 |
(0.1 |
) |
41.5 |
45.0 |
4.8 |
|||||||||||||||
Other(3) |
11.2 |
8.6 |
(5.6 |
) |
2.9 |
2.5 |
|||||||||||||||
Income tax effect(4) |
(281.9 |
) |
(168.2 |
) |
(201.8 |
) |
(236.0 |
) |
(252.4 |
) |
|||||||||||
Adjusted net income |
$ |
1,377.1 |
$ |
1,187.6 |
$ |
1,220.6 |
$ |
1,344.4 |
$ |
1,146.8 |
|||||||||||
Adjusted net income attributable to noncontrolling interest(5) |
(5.0 |
) |
(3.5 |
) |
(1.1 |
) |
(2.0 |
) |
- |
||||||||||||
Adjusted net income attributable to |
$ |
1,372.1 |
$ |
1,184.1 |
$ |
1,219.5 |
$ |
1,342.4 |
$ |
1,146.8 |
|||||||||||
Adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to |
$ |
5.41 |
$ |
4.65 |
$ |
4.65 |
$ |
5.02 |
$ |
4.30 |
|||||||||||
GAAP diluted earnings per share attributable to |
$ |
3.00 |
$ |
2.39 |
$ |
2.48 |
$ |
2.99 |
$ |
2.35 |
|||||||||||
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding |
253.8 |
254.5 |
262.0 |
267.3 |
266.6 |
76 |
|
Appendix A: Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Operating cash flow and adjusted operating cash flow are key metrics used in determining annual bonuses for executive officers. Adjusted operating cash flow represents cash flows provided by operating activities adjusted to exclude certain amounts which were not known or expected at the time the operating cash flow target for 2024 was developed.
For the |
|||||
(in millions) |
2024 |
||||
Cash provided by operating activities |
$ |
1,388.6 |
|||
Net foreign currency impact on revenues and expenses(1) |
(3.6 |
) |
|||
Adjusted operating cash flow |
$ |
1,385.0 |
|
77 |
Appendix B:
The purpose of this Second Amended and Restated 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended or amended and restated from time to time, the "Plan") of
The Company's 2023 Stock Incentive Plan was originally adopted by the Company's stockholders on May 17, 2023 (the "Original Adoption Date"), and the Amended and Restated 2023 Stock Incentive Plan ("Amended 2023 Plan") was adopted by the Company's stockholders on May 28, 2024. Upon the Original Adoption Date, (i) the 2023 Stock Incentive Plan superseded and replaced the Company's Second Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Prior Plan") and (ii) no further awards were permitted to be made pursuant to the Prior Plan (provided that, following the Original Adoption Date, any awards previously granted under the Prior Plan that were outstanding as of the Original Adoption Date (collectively, the "Prior Awards") remain outstanding in accordance with their terms).
The Plan, as amended and restated herein, shall become effective upon the date of approval by the Company's stockholders at a meeting
All employees and officers of the Company or a Company Affiliate, as well as non-employee directors of the Company and consultants and advisors to the Company or a Company Affiliate (as the terms consultants and advisors are defined and interpreted for purposes of Form S-8 under the Securities Act, or any successor form), are eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan. Each person who is granted an Award under the Plan is deemed a "Participant." The Plan provides for the following types of awards, each of which is referred to as an "Award": Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Other Share-Based Awards and Performance Awards (each as defined in Section 5 or Section 11, as applicable). Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, each Award may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other Award. The terms of each Award need not be identical, and Participants need not be treated uniformly under the Plan.
Holders of equity compensation awards granted by a company that is acquired by the Company (or whose business is acquired by the Company) or with which the Company combines are eligible for grants of Substitute Awards under the Plan to the extent permitted under applicable regulations of any stock exchange on which the Company is listed.
The Plan will be administered by the Board. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to a Committee. The Board and, to the extent such authority has been delegated to it, a Committee: (1) shall have authority to grant Awards and determine the terms and conditions of any Awards; (2) shall have authority to adopt, amend and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the Plan as it shall deem advisable; (3) may construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and any Award Agreement entered into under the Plan and make all determinations necessary or advisable in administering the Plan and Award Agreements; and (4) may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement. The term "Plan Administrator" means, as applicable, the Board or a Committee. All actions and decisions by the Plan Administrator with respect to the Plan and any Awards shall be made in its sole discretion and shall be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or in any Award. By accepting any Award, each Participant acknowledges and agrees that all actions and decisions of the Plan Administrator are final, binding and conclusive. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board or the Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the power to grant Awards hereunder; provided that no officer shall be authorized to grant Awards to any "executive officer" of the Company (as
78 |
|
Appendix B:
defined by Rule 3b-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) or to any "officer" of the Company (as defined by Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act) or to any non-employee director of the Company.
(1)Authorized Number of Shares. As of the Restatement Effective Date and subject to adjustment under Section 8, the maximum number of Shares available for issuance pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall equal the sum of (i) 20,100,000 Shares, which includes (x) the existing reserve of 14,100,000 Shares under the Amended 2023 Plan and (y) an increase of 6,000,000 Shares, as approved by the Board, subject to approval by the Company's stockholders, and (ii) the total number of Shares remaining available for issuance under the Prior Plan as of the Original Adoption Date (clauses (i) and (ii), collectively, the "Share Pool"). Any Shares issued pursuant to (x) an Option or SAR shall be counted against the Share Pool as one (1) Share for every one (1) Share underlying such Option or SAR and (y) an Award other than an Option or SAR (a "Full-Value Award") shall be counted against the Share Pool as two and one-half (2.5) Shares for every one (1) Share underlying such Full-Value Award. Subject to adjustment under Section 8, the maximum number of Shares available for issuance with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall equal 20,100,000 Shares. Shares underlying Substitute Awards and Shares remaining available for grant under a plan of an acquired company or of a company with which the Company combines (whether by way of amalgamation, merger, sale and purchase of shares or other securities or otherwise), appropriately adjusted to reflect the acquisition or combination transaction, shall not reduce the number of Shares remaining available for issuance under the Plan.
(2)Type of Shares. Shares issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued Shares or treasury Shares.
(3)Share Counting. For purposes of counting the authorized number of Shares available for issuance pursuant to Awards under the Plan, from and after the Original Adoption Date:
(A) if any Award or Prior Award expires, terminates or is otherwise surrendered, canceled, cash-settled, forfeited, terminated without the delivery of Shares or repurchased by the Company at its original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right, the unused Shares covered by such Award shall again be available for the grant of Awards and added back to the Share Pool (i) on a one (1)-for-one (1) basis if such Shares were underlying an Option or SAR under the Plan (or a stock option or stock appreciation right under the Prior Plan) and (ii) one a two and one-half (2.5)-for-one (1) basis if such Shares were underlying a Full-Value Award under the Plan (or an award other than a stock option or stock appreciation right under the Prior Plan (a "Prior Plan Full-Value Award"));provided,however, that in the case of Incentive Stock Options, the foregoing shall be subject to any limitations under the Code;
(B) Any Shares subject to an Award or Prior Award that is a Full-Value Award or Prior Plan Full-Value Award that are tendered to, or withheld by, the Company for tax withholding thereunder, shall again be, or shall become, available for issuance under the Plan one a two and one-half (2.5)-for-one (1) basis; and
(C) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Shares subject to an Award or Prior Award shall not again be available for issuance under the Plan if such Shares are (i) Shares tendered or withheld in payment of the exercise price or reference price of an Option or SAR, (ii) Shares covered by a stock-settled SAR that were not issued upon the settlement of the SAR, (iii) tendered to, or withheld by, the Company for tax withholding under an Option or SAR, or (iv) Shares reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of Options.
(b)Annual Per-Participant Limits for Non-Employee Directors. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Plan or in any policy of the Company regarding non-employee director compensation, the aggregate value of all compensation granted or paid in any calendar year for service as a non-employee director, including cash payments and Awards (the value of which will be the grant date fair value determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or any successor thereto, for the calendar year in which the grant date occurs), shall not exceed (i) $1,000,000 for the year in which the non-employee director is first appointed or elected to the Board or (ii) $750,000 for each year of service on the Board thereafter.
(a)Stock Options. The Plan Administrator may grant options to purchase Shares (each, an "Option") and determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Option. Options may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options. Except as set forth in the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall determine the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option, including conditions relating to compliance with applicable securities laws, as it considers necessary or advisable. Incentive Stock Options shall only be granted to employees of the Company or any Company Affiliate who are eligible under Section 422 of the Code to receive Incentive Stock Options and Incentive Stock Options shall be subject to and construed consistently with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Option (or any part thereof) that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option is not an Incentive Stock Option or if the Company converts an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonqualified Stock Option.
(1)Payment Upon Exercise of Options. Except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable Award Agreement or approved by the Plan Administrator, Shares purchased upon the exercise of an Option granted under the Plan shall be paid for as follows:
|
79 |
Appendix B:
(A) in cash or by check, payable to the order of the Company (or, to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Company Affiliate);
(B) by (i) delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding or (ii) delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding;
(C) by delivery at the time of exercise (either by actual physical delivery or by attestation) of Shares owned by the Participant valued at their Fair Market Value, provided (i) such method of payment is then permitted under applicable law, (ii) such Shares, if acquired directly from the Company or a Company Affiliate, were owned by the Participant for such minimum period of time, if any, as may be established by the Plan Administrator, and (iii) such Shares are not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements;
(D) with respect to a Nonqualified Stock Option, by delivery of a notice of "net exercise," as a result of which the Participant would receive (i) the number of Shares underlying the portion of the Option being exercised, less (ii) such number of Shares as is equal to (A) the aggregate exercise price for the portion of the Option being exercised divided by (B) the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise;
(E) any combination of the above forms of payment; or
(F) such other lawful consideration as the Plan Administrator may determine.
(2)Award Agreements. The terms of any Option granted under the Plan shall be set forth in an Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Plan Administrator and not inconsistent with the Plan. The terms of Options need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
(b)Stock Appreciation Rights. The Plan Administrator may grant Awards consisting of stock appreciation rights entitling the holder, upon exercise, to receive an amount of Common Stock or cash or a combination thereof (such form to be determined by the Plan Administrator) determined in whole or in part by reference to appreciation, from and after the date of grant, in the fair market value of a Share over the reference price established pursuant to Section 5(c) ("SARs"). The date as of which such appreciation is determined shall be the exercise date. SARs may be granted in tandem with, or independently of, Options granted under the Plan.
(1)Tandem Awards. When SARs are expressly granted in tandem with Options, (i) the SAR will be exercisable only at such time or times, and to the extent, that the related Option is exercisable and will be exercisable in accordance with the procedure required for exercise of the related Option; (ii) the SAR will terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the related Option, except that a SAR granted with respect to less than the full number of shares covered by an Option will not be reduced until the number of shares as to which the related Option has been exercised or has terminated exceeds the number of shares not covered by the SAR; (iii) the Option will terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the exercise of the related SAR; and (iv) the SAR will be transferable only with the related Option.
(2)Independent SARs. A SAR not expressly granted in tandem with an Option will become exercisable at such time or times, and on such conditions, as the Plan Administrator may specify in the Award Agreement for such SAR.
(3)Award Agreements. The terms of any SAR granted under the Plan shall be set forth in an Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Plan Administrator and not inconsistent with the Plan. The terms of SARs need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
(c)Exercise or Reference Price. The Plan Administrator shall establish the exercise price of each Option or the reference price for each SAR, or the formula by which such exercise price or reference price will be determined. The exercise or reference price shall be specified in the applicable Award Agreement. Except with respect to Substitute Awards, the exercise or reference price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant; providedthat, for the avoidance of doubt, if the Plan Administrator approves the grant of an Option or SAR with an effective date that is a specified future grant date, the exercise or reference price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on such future effective grant date.
(d)Duration. Each Option and SAR shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as specified in the applicable Award Agreement;provided, however,that no Option or SAR will be granted with a term in excess of 10 years. If an Option or SAR granted under the Plan is set to expire during a period when the exercise of such Option or SAR (or the sale of Shares acquired upon the exercise of such Option or SAR) is prohibited under applicable law or the Company's insider trading policy, the term of such Option or SAR shall automatically extend until the end of the 30th day following the end of such prohibition;provided, however,that (i) the Intrinsic Value of such Option or SAR is greater than zero as of the original expiration date, (ii) with respect to Options, such Option is not an Incentive Stock Option, and (iii) in no event shall an Option or SAR be exercisable after the 10th anniversary of the date of grant of such Award.
(e)Exercise of Awards. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, Options and SARs may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a notice of exercise in a form (which may be electronic) approved by the Company, together with, for Options, payment in full of the exercise price for the number of Shares for which the Option is exercised (in the manner specified below) and any required tax
80 |
|
Appendix B:
withholding (in the manner specified in Section 9(d). Shares subject to the Option and SAR (if any) will be issued (either in certificated form or the electronic equivalent thereof) as soon as practicable following exercise.
(f)Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. The Plan Administrator may grant Awards of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan (a "Restricted Stock Award" or "Restricted Stock Unit Award", respectively), and such Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall also be available as a form of payment of Performance Awards. The Plan Administrator has absolute discretion to determine whether any consideration (other than services) is to be received by the Company or any Company Affiliate as a condition precedent to the issuance of a Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award.
(1)Award Agreements. The terms of any Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award granted under the Plan shall be set forth in an Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Plan Administrator and not inconsistent with the Plan. The terms of Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
(2)Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, beginning on the date of grant of a Restricted Stock Award and subject to execution of the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant shall become a stockholder of the Company with respect to all Shares of Restricted Stock subject to the Award Agreement and shall have all of the rights of a stockholder, including the right to vote such Shares. A Participant receiving a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall not possess voting rights with respect to such Award. Holders of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards may, as determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion, receive dividends or other distributions or cash, stock or other property dividends in amounts equivalent to cash, stock or other property dividends on Shares ("Dividend Equivalents");providedthat any Shares or any other property distributed as a dividend, Dividend Equivalent or otherwise with respect to any Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award as to which the vesting or other restrictions have not yet lapsed shall be subject to the same restrictions as such Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award and shall not be paid or otherwise distributed until (and to the same extent) such restrictions lapse or are otherwise satisfied. The Plan Administrator may provide in an Award Agreement that an Award of Restricted Stock is conditioned upon the Participant making or refraining from making an election with respect to the Award under Section 83(b) of the Code. If a Participant makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall be required to file promptly a copy of such election with the Company.
(3)Issuance of Shares. Any Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Plan Administrator may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates, which certificate or certificates shall be held by the Company. Such certificate or certificates shall be registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock.
(g)Other Share-Based Awards. Other Awards of Shares and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, Shares or other property ("Other Share-Based Awards"), including deferred stock units, may be granted to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. Other Share-Based Awards shall also be available as a form of payment of other Awards granted under the Plan and other earned cash-based compensation.
(1)Award Agreements. The terms of Other Share-Based Awards granted under the Plan shall be set forth in an Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Plan Administrator and not inconsistent with the Plan. The terms of such Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Any Shares or any other property distributed as a dividend, Dividend Equivalent or otherwise with respect to any Other Share-Based Award as to which the restrictions have not yet lapsed shall be subject to the same restrictions as such Other Share-Based Award.
(2)Payment. Except as may be provided in an Award Agreement, Other Share-Based Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, other property or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Plan Administrator. Other Share-Based Awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments or, in accordance with procedures established by the Plan Administrator, on a deferred basis subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
(h)Performance Awards.Performance Awards in the form of Performance Shares or Performance Units, as determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion, may be granted hereunder to Participants, for no consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The performance goals to be achieved for each Performance Period shall be conclusively determined by the Plan Administrator and may be based upon the criteria set forth in Section 6(a).
(1)Award Agreements. The terms of any Performance Award granted under the Plan shall be set forth in an Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Plan Administrator and not inconsistent with the Plan, including whether such Awards shall have dividends or Dividend Equivalents. The terms of Performance Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Any Shares or any other property distributed as a dividend, Dividend Equivalent or otherwise with respect to any Performance Award as to which the restrictions have not yet lapsed shall be subject to the same restrictions (including achievement of applicable performance criteria) as such Performance Award.
(2)Terms and Conditions. The performance criteria to be achieved during any Performance Period and the length of the Performance Period shall be determined by the Plan Administrator upon the grant of each Performance Award. The amount of the Award to be distributed shall be conclusively determined by the Plan Administrator.
(3)Payment. Except as may be provided in an Award Agreement, Performance Awards will be distributed only after the end of the relevant Performance Period. Performance Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, other property or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion
|
81 |
Appendix B:
of the Plan Administrator. Performance Awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments following the close of the Performance Period or, in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, on a deferred basis subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
(i)Limitation on Repricing. Unless such action is approved by the Company's stockholders, the Company may not (except as provided for under Section 8): (1) amend any outstanding Award that is an Option, SAR or similar Other Share-Based Award granted under the Plan to provide an exercise or reference price per Share that is lower than the then-current exercise or reference price per Share of such outstanding Award; (2) cancel any outstanding Option, SAR or similar Other Share-Based Award and grant in substitution therefor new Awards covering the same or a different number of Shares and having an exercise or reference price per Share lower than the then-current exercise or reference price per Share of such cancelled Award; (3) cancel in exchange for a cash payment any outstanding Option, SAR or similar Other Share-Based Award with an exercise or reference price per Share above the then-current Fair Market Value; or (4) take any other action under the Plan that constitutes a "repricing" within the meaning of NASDAQ rules.
(j)No Reload. No Award granted under the Plan shall contain any provision entitling the Participant to the automatic grant of additional Awards in connection with any exercise of the original Award.
(k)Dividend Equivalents. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and any Award Agreement, the recipient of an Award may, if so determined by the Plan Administrator, receive Dividend Equivalents with respect to the number of Shares covered by the Award, as determined by the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion;providedthat, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any such amounts and Dividend Equivalents shall be subject to the same vesting or performance conditions as the underlying Award and shall not be paid or otherwise distributed until such conditions have lapsed or have otherwise been satisfied. In addition, the Plan Administrator may provide that such amounts and Dividend Equivalents (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested. In no event shall Dividend Equivalents be paid with respect to Options or SARs.
(a) The Plan Administrator may determine that, with respect to a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit, a Performance Award or an Other Share-Based Award, the grant of such Award or the lapsing of restrictions thereon and the distribution of cash, Shares or other property pursuant thereto, as applicable, will be subject to the achievement of one or more objective performance goals established by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the performance goals to be achieved during any Performance Period, the length of any Performance Period, the amount of any Performance Award granted and the amount of any payment or transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance Award shall be determined by the Plan Administrator. Such performance conditions may include (but are not limited to) the following:
(b) Such performance goals may also be based solely by reference to the Company's performance or the performance of a Company Affiliate, division, business segment or business unit of the Company, or based upon the relative performance of other companies or upon comparisons of any of the indicators of performance relative to other companies.
(c) For purposes of any performance goal established pursuant to this Section 6, the Plan Administrator may also exclude charges related to an event or occurrence which the Plan Administrator determines should appropriately be excluded, including (i) restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items, and other unusual or non-recurring charges; (ii) an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company or not within the reasonable control of the Company's management; or (iii) the cumulative effects of tax or accounting changes in accordance with
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(d)Restrictions. The Plan Administrator shall have the power to impose such other restrictions on Awards subject to this Article as it may deem necessary or appropriate.
(a) In the event of any dividend or distribution (other than an ordinary dividend or distribution), stock split, reverse stock split, dividend, recapitalization, combination of Shares, reclassification of Shares, spin-off, reorganization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, separation, rights offering, split-up, dissolution or sale, transfer, repurchase or exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the capital stock or assets of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to acquire Shares or other securities of the Company or other similar corporate transaction, change in capitalization or event affecting the Shares, an adjustment is necessary in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, (i) the number and type of securities available under the Plan (and the identity of the issuer thereof), (ii) the share counting rules specified in Sections 4(a) and 4(b), (iii) the number and class of type and, if applicable, exercise price or reference price per Share of each outstanding Award, and (iv) any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect to outstanding Awards, shall be equitably adjusted by the Company (or substituted Awards may be made, if applicable) in the manner determined in the sole discretion of the Plan Administrator.
(b) In the event of a Change in Control, the Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, take any one or more of the following actions with respect to any outstanding Award, which need not be uniform with respect to all Participants and/or Awards, unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement:
(1) continuation or assumption of such Award by the Company (if it is the surviving corporation) or by the successor or surviving entity or its parent;
(2) substitution or replacement of such Award by the successor or surviving entity or its parent with cash, securities, rights or other property to be paid or issued, as the case may be, by the successor or surviving entity (or a parent or subsidiary thereof), with substantially the same terms and value as such Award (including any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto);
(3) acceleration of the vesting of such Award and the lapse of any restrictions thereon and, in the case of an Option or SAR, acceleration of the right to exercise such Award during a specified period (and the termination of such Option or SAR without payment of any consideration therefor to the extent such Award is not timely exercised), in each case, either (A) in the case of an Award held by a non-employee director only, immediately prior to or as of the date of the Change in Control, (B) upon a Participant's involuntary termination of employment or service (including upon a termination of employment or service by the Company (or a successor corporation or its parent) without "cause", by a Participant for "good reason" and/or due to a Participant's death or "disability", as such terms may be defined in the applicable Award Agreement) on or within a specified period following the Change in Control or (C) upon the failure of the successor or surviving entity (or its parent) to continue or assume such Award;
(4) in the case of a Performance Award, determination of the level of attainment of the applicable performance condition(s); and
(5) cancellation of such Award in consideration of a payment, with the form, amount and timing of such payment determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion, subject to the following: (A) such payment shall be made in cash, securities, rights and/or other property; (B) the amount of such payment shall equal the value of such Award, as determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion;providedthat, in the case of an Option or SAR, if such value equals the Intrinsic Value of such Award, such value shall be deemed to be valid;providedfurtherthat, if the Intrinsic Value of an Option or SAR is equal to or less than zero, the Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide for the cancellation of such Award without payment of any consideration therefor (for the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a Change in Control, the Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, terminate any Option or SAR for which the exercise or reference price is equal to or exceeds the per Share value of the consideration to be paid in the Change in Control transaction without payment of consideration therefor); and (C) such payment shall be made promptly following such Change in Control or on a specified date or dates following such Change in Control;providedthat the timing of such payment shall comply with Section 409A of the Code.
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(a)Transferability of Awards. Awards shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the Participant, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, other than in the case of an Incentive Stock Option or an Award subject to Section 409A of the Code, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, and, during the life of the Participant, shall be exercisable (if applicable) only by the Participant;provided, however,that, except with respect to an Incentive Stock Option (unless such Incentive Stock Option is modified to become a Nonqualified Stock Option) or an Award subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Plan Administrator may permit or provide in the applicable Award Agreement for the gratuitous transfer of the Award by the Participant to or for the benefit of any immediate family member, family trust or other entity established for the benefit of the Participant and/or an immediate family member thereof if the Company would be eligible to use Form S-8 under the Securities Act for the registration of the sale of the Shares subject to such Award to such proposed transferee;provided further, that neither the Company nor any Company Affiliate shall be required to recognize any such transfer until such time as such transferee shall, as a condition to such transfer, deliver a written instrument in form and substance satisfactory to the Company confirming that such transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement. References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, shall include references to authorized transferees. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained in this Section 9(a) shall be deemed to restrict a transfer to the Company or a Company Affiliate.
(b)Documentation. Each Award Agreement may contain terms and conditions in addition to those specified in the Plan.
(c)Termination of Service.
(1) Except as may otherwise be provided in an Award Agreement or pursuant to Section 8(b)(3) or 9(c)(2), if a Participant's employment or service with the Company or a Company Affiliate is terminated for any reason, any Award that is then (i) not vested shall terminate and be forfeited on the date of such employment or service termination, and (ii) vested shall, subject to Section 5(d), in the case of an Option or SAR, remain exercisable for 90 days after the termination date (or such other expiration date set forth in the Award Agreement).
(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Participant's termination of employment or service due to death or Disability:
(a) All Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, and Nonqualified Stock Option Awards that are (i) subject only to time-based vesting conditions and (ii) are outstanding and unvested as of the date of such termination of employment or service will become vested and, if applicable, fully exercisable, as of the date of such termination of employment or service, subject to the other terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreements;
(b) A Pro-Rata Portion of Performance Awards (including Performance Stock Units and Performance Stock Options) that are outstanding and unvested as of the date of such termination of employment or service will become vested, and if applicable, exercisable, as of the date of such termination of employment or service, subject to the other terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreements; provided that any applicable performance goals will be deemed achieved based on the actual level of performance of such performance goals as of the date of such termination of employment or service, as determined by the Committee, acting as Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion;
(c) The foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c)(2) shall apply to Awards or Prior Awards granted to Participants before and after the Restatement Effective Date; and
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the actions set forth in this Section 9(c)(2) with respect to any applicable Award shall become effective if such actions would result in any additional tax, penalty or interest under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with respect to such Award.
(d)Withholding. The Participant must satisfy all income and employment tax withholding obligations before the Company or a Company Affiliate will deliver stock certificates (or the electronic equivalent thereof), cash or otherwise recognize ownership of the Shares upon the exercise or settlement of an Award. The Company or a Company Affiliate may elect to satisfy the withholding obligations through additional withholding on salary or wages. If the Company or a Company Affiliate elects not to or cannot withhold from other compensation, the Participant (either directly or through a broker) must pay to the Company or a Company Affiliate the full amount, if any, required for withholding. Except as otherwise may be provided for in an Award Agreement or approved by the Plan Administrator, a Participant may satisfy such tax obligations in whole or in part by delivery (either by actual physical delivery or by attestation) of Shares, including Shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their Fair Market Value (determined, for purposes of this Section (d), as of the date the tax obligation arises instead of the date of grant);provided, however,that the total tax withholding where stock is being used to satisfy such tax obligations cannot exceed the maximum statutory withholding obligations (based on maximum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income), to the extent such withholding would not result in liability classification of such Award (or any portion thereof) pursuant to FASB ASC Subtopic 718-10. Shares used to satisfy tax withholding requirements cannot be subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements.
(e)Amendment or Termination of Award. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5(i) with respect to repricings or Section 10(c) with respect to actions requiring stockholder approval, the Plan Administrator may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award. The Participant's consent to such action shall be required (i) unless the Plan Administrator determines that the action, taking into account any
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Appendix B: SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2023 Stock Incentive Plan
related action, does not materially and adversely affect the Participant's rights under the Plan or (ii) the change is permitted under Section 8. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision hereof, the Plan Administrator may, without the consent of the Participant, cancel and terminate any outstanding Award that has not been accepted by the Participant within 12 months after the grant date of such unaccepted Award.
(f)Conditions on Delivery of Stock. Neither the Company nor a Company Affiliate will be obligated to deliver any Shares pursuant to the Plan until (i) all conditions of the Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the Company, (ii) in the opinion of the Company's counsel, all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such Shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and regulations and any applicable stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Company may consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations.
(g)Acceleration. The Plan Administrator may at any time provide that any Award shall become immediately vested and/or exercisable in whole or in part.
(a)No Right To Employment or Other Status. No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award by virtue of the adoption of the Plan, and the grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other relationship with the Company or any Company Affiliate. The Company and each Company Affiliate expressly reserve the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate their relationship with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan, except as expressly provided in the applicable Award Agreement.
(b)No Rights As Stockholder. Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award Agreement, no Participant, nor any legal representative of the Participant's estate or legatee of the Participant under the Participant's will, shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares to be issued with respect to an Award until becoming the record holder of such Shares.
(c)Amendment of Plan. The Plan Administrator may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time provided that (i) no amendment that would require stockholder approval under the rules of NASDAQ may be made effective unless and until the Company's stockholders approve such amendment; and (ii) if NASDAQ amends its corporate governance rules so that such rules no longer require stockholder approval of "material revisions" to equity compensation plans, then, from and after the effective date of such amendment to NASDAQ rules, no amendment to the Plan (A) increasing the number of Shares authorized under the Plan (other than pursuant to Section 8, (B) expanding the types of Awards that may be granted under the Plan, (C) materially expanding the class of participants eligible to participate in the Plan or (D) repealing the prohibition against repricing set forth in Section 5(i) shall be effective unless and until the Company's stockholders approve such amendment. To the extent required for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, other amendments to the Plan shall be subject to approval by the Company's stockholders. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable amendment, any amendment to the Plan adopted in accordance with this Section 10(c) shall apply to, and be binding on the holders of, all Awards outstanding under the Plan at the time the amendment is adopted, provided the Plan Administrator determines that such amendment, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Participants under the Plan. No Award shall be made that is conditioned upon stockholder approval of any amendment to the Plan unless the Award provides that (i) it will terminate or be forfeited if stockholder approval of such amendment is not obtained within no more than 12 months from the date of grant and (2) it may not be exercised or settled (or otherwise result in the issuance of Shares) prior to such stockholder approval.
(d)Authorization of Sub-Plans (Including for Grants to Non-U.S. Employees). The Plan Administrator may from time to time establish one or more sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying applicable securities, tax or other laws of various jurisdictions. The Plan Administrator shall establish such sub-plans by adopting supplements to the Plan containing (i) such limitations on the Plan Administrator's discretion under the Plan as the Plan Administrator deems necessary or desirable or (ii) such additional terms and conditions not otherwise inconsistent with the Plan as the Plan Administrator shall deem necessary or desirable. All supplements adopted by the Plan Administrator shall be deemed to be part of the Plan, but each supplement shall apply only to Participants within the affected jurisdiction.
(e)Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
(1) Notwithstanding anything else herein, the Company makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to the Participant or any other person if any provisions of or payments, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code but do not to satisfy the conditions thereof.
(2) Awards are intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code to the maximum extent possible. With respect to any Awards subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and the provisions of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and the Plan shall be operated accordingly. If any provision of the Plan or any term or condition of any Award would otherwise frustrate or conflict with this intent, the provision, term or condition will be interpreted and deemed amended so as to avoid this conflict.
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(3) Except as provided in any individual Award Agreement initially or by amendment, if and to the extent (i) any portion of any payment, compensation or other benefit provided to a Participant pursuant to the Plan in connection with his or her termination of employment or service constitutes "nonqualified deferred compensation" within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and (ii) the Participant is a "specified employee" as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, in each case as determined by the Company in accordance with its procedures, such portion of the payment, compensation or other benefit shall not be paid before the day that is six months plus one day after the date of "separation from service" (as determined under Section 409A of the Code) (the "New Payment Date"), except as Section 409A of the Code may then permit. The aggregate of any payments that otherwise would have been paid to the Participant during the period between the date of separation from service and the New Payment Date shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum (without interest) on such New Payment Date, and any remaining payments will be paid on their original schedule. By accepting an Award, each Participant agrees that he or she is bound by the foregoing determinations and procedures.
(f)Limitations on Liability. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no Plan Administrator nor any individual acting as a director, officer, or employee of the Company or a Company Affiliate will be liable to any Participant, former Participant, spouse, beneficiary, or any other person for any claim, loss, liability, or expense incurred in connection with the Plan, nor will such individual be personally liable with respect to the Plan because of any contract or other instrument he or she executes in his or her capacity as Plan Administrator or as a director, officer, or employee of the Company or a Company Affiliate.
(g)Governing Law. The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such state that would require the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
(h) Term Awards may be granted under the Plan at any time and from time to time on or prior to the tenth anniversary of the Restatement Effective Date, unless the Board adopts a resolution terminating the Plan or the maximum number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan has been issued prior to such tenth anniversary, on which date the Plan will expire except as to Awards then outstanding under the Plan. Such outstanding Awards shall remain in effect until they have been exercised or terminated, or have expired.
(i)Cancellation or "Clawback" of Awards. The Plan Administrator shall have full authority to implement any policies and procedures necessary to comply with Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any rules promulgated thereunder and any other regulatory regimes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Awards granted under the Plan (including any amounts or benefits arising from such Awards) shall be subject to any clawback or recoupment arrangements or policies the Company has in place from time to time, and the Committee may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and stock exchange rules or by any applicable Company policy or arrangement, and shall, to the extent required, cancel or require reimbursement of any Awards granted to the Participant or any Shares issued or cash received upon vesting, exercise or settlement of any such Awards or sale of Shares underlying such Awards.
(a) "Award Agreement" means any agreement, contract or other instrument or document (whether written or electronic) evidencing an Award granted under the Plan, which the Company may require to be executed or acknowledged by a Participant.
(b) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c) "Change in Control" means the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:
(1) any "person", as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company or an Affiliate, any employee plan of the Company or any Subsidiary, any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities or an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company) becomes, during any 12-month period, the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 40% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company;providedthat the provisions of this subsection (1) are not intended to apply to or include as a Change in Control any transaction that is specifically excepted from the definition of Change in Control under subsection (3) below;
(2) a change in the composition of the Board such that, during any 12-month period, the individuals who, as of the beginning of such period, constitute the Board (the "Existing Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least 50% of the Board;provided, however,that any individual becoming a member of the Board subsequent to the beginning of such period whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the members of the Board immediately prior to the date of such appointment or election shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Existing Board;provided further, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 or Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act or successor statutes or rules containing analogous concepts) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of an individual, corporation, partnership, group, associate or other entity or person other than the Board, shall in any event be considered to be a member of the Existing Board;
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(3) the consummation of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or other entity, other than such a transaction in which the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continue to represent immediately thereafter (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity of such transaction or parent entity thereof) more than 50% of the total voting power and total fair market value of the Company's stock (or such surviving entity's or parent entity's stock); andprovided, further,that such a transaction effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates other than in connection with the acquisition by the Company or its Affiliates of a business) representing more than 50% of either the then-outstanding Shares or the combined voting power and total fair market value of the Company's then-outstanding voting securities shall not be considered a Change in Control;
(4) the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets to any person during any 12-month period; or
(5) stockholder approval of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if there is consummated any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the Shares immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions and (B) no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred upon the acquisition of additional control of the Company by any Person that is considered to effectively control the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any provision of any Award Agreement to the contrary, for any Award that provides for accelerated distribution on a Change in Control of amounts that constitute "deferred compensation" (as defined in Section 409A of the Code), if the event that constitutes such Change in Control does not also constitute a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company's assets (in either case, as defined in Section 409A of the Code), such amount shall not be distributed on such Change in Control but instead shall vest as of such Change in Control and shall be distributed on the scheduled payment date specified in the applicable Award Agreement, except to the extent that earlier distribution would not result in the Participant who holds such Award incurring interest or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code.
(d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and any regulations thereunder, each as amended from time to time.
(e) "Commission" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
(f) "Committee" means (i) the Compensation Committee of the Board or (ii) any other committee or subcommittee of the Board to the extent that the Board's powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated to such committee or subcommittee by the Board or by the Compensation Committee of the Board.
(g) "Common Stock" means the common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company.
(h) "Company" means collectively SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. and each SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. Affiliate at the relevant applicable time.
(i) "Company Affiliate" means (i) any of the Company's present or future parent or subsidiary corporations (as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code) during the time that such parent or subsidiary corporation satisfies such definition and (ii) any other business venture (including, without limitation, joint venture or limited liability company) in which the Company has a direct or indirect controlling interest, as determined from time to time by the Plan Administrator.
(j) "Delaware Law" means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time.
(k)"Disability" means "Total and Permanent Disability" as such term is defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code; provided that if such term is amended, replaced or superseded with any term that is less restrictive in any material respect, then the term shall retain the meaning from before any such amendment, replacement or superseding.
(l) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
(m) "Fair Market Value" means, except as otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator, the fair market value per share of Common Stock, determined as follows:
(1) if the Common Stock trades on a national securities exchange, the closing sale price (for the primary trading session) on the date of determination; or
(2) if the Common Stock does not trade on any such exchange, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as reported by an authorized OTCBB market data vendor as listed on the OTCBB website (otcbb.com) (or another similar system then in use as determined by the Plan Administrator) on the date of determination; or
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(3) if the Common Stock is not publicly traded, the Plan Administrator will determine the Fair Market Value for purposes of the Plan using any measure of value it determines to be appropriate (including, as it considers appropriate, relying on appraisals) in a manner consistent with the valuation principles under Section 409A of the Code, except as the Plan Administrator may expressly determine otherwise.
For any date of determination that is not a trading day, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock for such date will be determined by using the closing sale price or average of the bid and asked prices, as appropriate, for the immediately preceding trading day. The Plan Administrator can substitute a particular time of day or other measure of "closing sale price" or "bid and asked prices" if appropriate because of exchange or market procedures or can use weighted averages either on a daily basis or such longer period as complies with Section 409A of the Code.
(n) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option that the Plan Administrator designates as an "incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422 of the Code.
(o) "Intrinsic Value" with respect to an Option or SAR means (1) the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a Share as of any relevant date of determination (or, in the context of a Change in Control, the price or implied price per Share in a Change in Control) over the exercise or reference price of such Award multiplied by the number of Shares covered by such Award.
(p) "NASDAQ" means National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations.
(q) "Nonqualified Stock Option" means an Option that is not designated as an Incentive Stock Option.
(r) "Performance Award" means an Award of Performance Shares or Performance Units granted pursuant to Section 5.
(s) "Performance Period" means the period established by the Plan Administrator during which any performance goals specified by the Plan Administrator with respect to a Performance Award are to be measured.
(t) "Performance Share" means any grant pursuant to Section 5 related to a designated number of Shares, which value will be paid to the Participant upon achievement of such performance goals as established by the Plan Administrator.
(u) "Performance Unit" means any grant pursuant to Section 5 of a unit value by reference to a designated amount of cash or property other than Shares, which value will be paid to the Participant upon achievement of such performance goals during the Performance Period as established by the Plan Administrator.
(v) "Pro-Rata Portion" means a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of full months of the Participant's continuous employment or service from the beginning of the applicable Performance Period of the Performance Award until the date of the Participant's termination of employment or service due to death or Disability, and the denominator of which is the total number of full months from the beginning of such Performance Period until the end of such period. The Pro-Rata Portion shall be calculated separately for each respective Performance Award if the Participant was granted multiple separate Performance Awards.
(w) "Restricted Stock" means any Share issued with the restriction that the holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or assign such Share and with such other restrictions as the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, installments or otherwise, as the Plan Administrator may deem appropriate.
(x) "Restricted Stock Unit" means an Award that is valued by reference to a Share, which value may be paid to the Participant by deliver of such property as determined by the Plan Administrator, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, installments or otherwise, as the Plan Administrator may deem appropriate.
(y) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
(z) "Share" means a share of Common Stock.
(aa) "Substitute Award" means an Award granted in assumption of, or in substitution for, an outstanding award previously granted by a company or other business acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines.
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SS&C 2025 PROXY STATEMENT |
SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. 80 Lamberton Road, Windsor, Connecticut 06095 For more information, visit ssctech.com
SS&C TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC. ATTN: INVESTOR RELATIONS 80 LAMBERTON ROAD WINDSOR, CT 06095SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTEVOTE BY INTERNET Before The Meeting - Go to www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 PM. ET on May 20, 2025. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the website and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. During The Meeting - Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SSNC2025You may attend the meeting via the internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 PM. ET on May 20, 2025. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and retuit in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or retuit to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: V68452-P26382KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLYTHIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.SS&C TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR each of the following:1. The election of the nominees listed below as Class Ill directors. Nominees: For Against Abstain 1a. Smita Conjeevaram 1b. William C. Stone 1c. Francesco Vanni d'Archirafi The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2, 3 and 4. For Against Abstain2. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of SS&C's named executive officers. 3. The ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as SS&C's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. 4. To approve the SS&C Second Amended and Restated 2023 Stock Incentive Plan. NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. This card must be signed for your vote to count. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The SS& C's 2025 Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.V68453-P26382 SS&C TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC. 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders May 21, 2025 9:00 AM EDT This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The undersigned hereby appoints William C. Stone, Brian N. Schell and Jason White as proxy holders, each with full power of substitution, to represent and vote as designated on the reverse side, all of the shares of Common Stock of SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") held of record by the undersigned as of March 25, 2025, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held virtually at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SSNC2025 at 9:00 a.m., EDT, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. If you sign and retuthis proxy card but do not give any direction, this proxy will be voted FOR the nominees listed in Proposal 1, FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4, and at the discretion of the proxies upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. Continued and to be signed on reverse side
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SS&C Technologies Holdings Inc. published this content on April 03, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via EDGAR, the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system operated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,, on April 03, 2025 at 20:07 UTC.
Proxy Statement (Form DEF 14A)
Proxy Statement (Form DEF 14A)
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