8-KLeadership ChangesShareholder MattersCorporate Changes+1

MCKESSON CORP 8-K Report, Executive Changes (Aug 2, 2013)

Filed August 2, 2013For Securities:MCK

Summary

McKesson Corporation's August 1, 2013, 8-K filing reports on key outcomes from its July 31, 2013, Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The most significant news for investors is the approval of the McKesson Corporation 2013 Stock Plan, which allows for the issuance of equity-based compensation to officers and employees. Additionally, stockholders approved amendments to the company's By-Laws, notably granting them the right to call special meetings under specific conditions (holding at least 25% of outstanding shares for a year), which enhances shareholder engagement and oversight. While the company's director nominees were overwhelmingly elected and the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as its independent auditor was ratified, the advisory vote on executive compensation failed to gain majority approval. This indicates a potential area of concern for investors regarding executive pay practices. The company also saw approval for its 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan amendment and its compensation clawback policy, but a stockholder proposal regarding significant executive stock retention was not approved.

Key Highlights

  • 1Stockholders approved the McKesson Corporation 2013 Stock Plan, enabling future equity-based compensation.
  • 2Amendments to the By-Laws were approved, allowing stockholders holding at least 25% of shares for a year to call special meetings.
  • 3All director nominees were elected to one-year terms.
  • 4Deloitte & Touche LLP was ratified as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014.
  • 5An advisory vote to approve the compensation of named executive officers was not approved.
  • 6The amendment to the 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan was approved.
  • 7The stockholder proposal regarding a compensation clawback policy was approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

The approval of the 2013 Stock Plan is significant as it allows McKesson to grant stock options, restricted stock units, or other equity-based awards to its employees and officers. This is a common tool for executive and employee compensation and retention, aligning their interests with those of shareholders.

This amendment empowers a significant block of shareholders (25% ownership for at least one year) to initiate a special meeting outside of the annual cycle. This can be a tool for shareholders to address critical issues more rapidly or to push for changes if they feel management is not acting in their best interest, increasing corporate governance flexibility.

The filing indicates that the advisory vote on executive compensation did not receive majority approval ('Votes For' were significantly lower than 'Votes Against'). While this vote is advisory and non-binding, it signals investor dissatisfaction with the current executive compensation structure or amounts. Management will need to address shareholder concerns regarding pay practices going forward.

Several stockholder proposals were voted on. The proposal for a compensation clawback policy was approved. However, proposals regarding action by written consent, disclosure of political contributions, and significant executive stock retention were not approved by the majority of shareholders.