8-KShareholder Matters

CME GROUP INC. 8-K Report, Shareholder Vote Results (May 8, 2020)

Filed May 8, 2020For Securities:CME

Summary

CME Group Inc. filed an 8-K on May 7, 2020, detailing the results of its 2020 Annual Meeting of shareholders held virtually on May 6, 2020. The meeting saw strong participation, with 79.67% of the issued and outstanding Class A and Class B common stock represented. Key outcomes included the overwhelming election of all seventeen Equity Directors and the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor for 2020. Additionally, shareholders provided advisory approval for the compensation of named executive officers. A notable point from the Class B Director elections was the failure to achieve a quorum for the Class B-3 Director position, resulting in the incumbent director continuing to serve under a "holdover" provision until the next annual meeting. Overall, the filing indicates smooth governance operations with broad shareholder support for key corporate matters, with the exception of the Class B-3 Director election.

Key Highlights

  • 1Over 79.67% of CME Group's common stock was represented at the 2020 Annual Meeting.
  • 2All seventeen Equity Directors nominated for election were overwhelmingly approved by shareholders.
  • 3Ernst & Young LLP was ratified as the Company's independent public accounting firm for 2020.
  • 4Shareholders provided advisory approval for the compensation of the Company's named executive officers.
  • 5A quorum was not achieved for the election of one Class B-3 Director, leading to a "holdover" situation for the incumbent.
  • 6Specific Class B Directors were elected by their respective shareholder classes (B-1, B-2).

Frequently Asked Questions

The 2020 Annual Meeting saw strong participation, with 79.67% of the issued and outstanding Class A and Class B common stock represented, either in person at the virtual meeting or by proxy.

The election of Equity Directors and the ratification of the independent auditor received very high "For" votes, indicating strong shareholder support. The advisory vote on executive compensation also passed with a significant majority, though with a higher percentage of "Against" votes compared to the other proposals.

A quorum was not achieved for the election of the Class B-3 Director. As a result, Elizabeth A. Cook, the incumbent, will continue to serve in a "holdover" capacity until her successor is elected at the 2021 Annual Meeting, as permitted by Delaware law and the Company's bylaws.

No, the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent public accounting firm for 2020 was strongly supported, with 280,203,767 votes "For" and only 4,966,305 votes "Against".