8-KShareholder Matters

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL INC /MD/ 8-K Report, Shareholder Vote Results (May 15, 2019)

Filed May 15, 2019For Securities:MAR

Summary

This 8-K filing reports the outcomes of Marriott International, Inc.'s (MAR) Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 9, 2019. The primary focus of the filing is the voting results on various proposals. Investors will note that all director nominees were elected, and the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor for fiscal year 2019 was ratified. Additionally, the advisory resolution on executive compensation received stockholder approval. However, a significant outcome was the failure to approve proposed amendments aimed at removing supermajority voting standards for several key corporate actions, including director removal, future charter amendments, bylaw amendments, and certain business combinations. Stockholders also did not approve a proposal allowing them to act by written consent. These outcomes suggest a resistance from a portion of the shareholder base to alter existing corporate governance structures that require higher voting thresholds for certain decisions.

Key Highlights

  • 1All 14 director nominees presented at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders were elected.
  • 2Ernst & Young LLP was ratified as Marriott's independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2019.
  • 3The advisory resolution on the compensation of Marriott's named executive officers received stockholder approval.
  • 4Proposed amendments to remove supermajority voting standards for director removal were not approved by stockholders.
  • 5Proposed amendments to remove supermajority voting standards for future amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation were not approved.
  • 6Proposed amendments to remove supermajority voting standards for future amendments to certain Bylaw provisions were not approved.
  • 7Stockholders did not approve a resolution allowing them to act by written consent.

Frequently Asked Questions

The meeting resulted in the election of all director nominees, ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor, and approval of the advisory resolution on executive compensation. However, proposals to remove supermajority voting requirements for several corporate actions and to allow stockholder action by written consent did not pass.

The failure to remove supermajority voting standards means that certain significant corporate actions, such as amending the company's charter or bylaws, removing directors, or engaging in specific business combinations, will continue to require a higher voting threshold (66 and 2/3rds of voting power) from stockholders. This preserves existing governance structures and may make it more challenging for proponents of such changes to gain approval.

Yes, the advisory resolution on the compensation of Marriott's named executive officers was approved by the stockholders.

The proposal to allow stockholders to act by written consent was not approved by the stockholders.