Proxy statement

The document a company sends shareholders before its annual meeting, filed with the SEC as a DEF 14A. It shows how the top executives are paid, who sits on the board and who owns the most shares.

Simple example

A company's fiscal year ends in December and its annual meeting is in May. In April it files its proxy statement, with last year's CEO pay, the board members up for election and every shareholder owning more than 5%.

Dec 31Year endsFeb–Mar10-KAprilProxyMayMeeting· Executive pay· Board members up for election· Owners of more than 5%· What shareholders vote on
Made-up numbers, for illustration only.