8-KOther Events

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. 8-K Report, Corporate Update (Dec 20, 2012)

Filed December 20, 2012For Securities:APD

Summary

This 8-K filing from Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. (APD) dated December 20, 2012, provides an important correction and clarification regarding its Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The company is seeking shareholder approval for the Plan at its upcoming 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The filing rectifies an error in the previously filed Proxy Statement concerning the number of shares available for awards under the Plan as of September 30, 2012. Investors should note the specific number of shares available for future awards and the implications of the "20% limit" on full-value awards. The company clarifies that a significant portion of the available shares can still be used for full-value awards, indicating a degree of flexibility within the Plan's structure. This information is crucial for shareholders evaluating the dilutive impact and the structure of executive compensation.

Key Highlights

  • 1Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. (APD) filed an 8-K on December 20, 2012, providing an update on its Long-Term Incentive Plan.
  • 2The filing corrects an error in the Proxy Statement related to the number of shares available for awards under the Plan.
  • 3As of September 30, 2012, 3,974,353 previously authorized shares were still available for awards under the Plan.
  • 4The company clarifies the '20% limit' for full-value awards, stating that less than 13% of shares used for awards since 2001 were full-value awards.
  • 5Approximately 2,677,697 of the available shares can be used for full-value awards due to the cumulative nature of the 20% limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main purpose of this 8-K filing is to correct an error in a previously filed Proxy Statement regarding the number of shares available for awards under Air Products & Chemicals' Long-Term Incentive Plan and to provide further clarification on the use of these shares, particularly concerning the limit on full-value awards.

As of September 30, 2012, there were 3,974,353 previously authorized shares still available for awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan.

The '20% limit' restricts that no more than 20% of shares subject to Plan awards granted after fiscal year 2001 can be used for full-value awards. Because the limit is cumulative and less than 20% of shares granted since 2001 have been used for full-value awards, a significant portion of the currently available shares (2,677,697) can still be designated for full-value awards.

This information is important for shareholders as it clarifies the potential dilution from future stock awards and the flexibility the company has in granting compensation. Understanding the exact number of available shares and the constraints on full-value awards helps investors assess the overall compensation structure and its potential impact on shareholder equity.