What were the main outcomes of the Microsoft 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders?

The 2011 Annual Meeting saw the re-election of all nine director nominees, strong advisory approval for executive compensation, a preference for annual advisory votes on executive compensation, ratification of the company's auditor (Deloitte & Touche LLP), and the rejection of a shareholder proposal regarding an environmental sustainability committee.

Did shareholders approve of Microsoft's executive compensation?

Yes, shareholders provided strong advisory approval for the compensation of Microsoft's named executive officers, with nearly 99% of the votes cast in favor.

What is the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation?

The majority of shareholders voted to have an advisory vote on executive compensation occur every year, with over 84% of the votes cast in favor of an annual vote.

Was the company's choice of auditor approved?

Yes, shareholders ratified the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Microsoft's independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2012 with a high level of approval.

MSFT 8-K: Shareholder Matters

Summary

This 8-K filing from Microsoft Corporation reports on the outcomes of its 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on November 15, 2011. The primary focus for investors is the voting results on key corporate governance matters, including the election of directors, advisory votes on executive compensation and its frequency, and the ratification of the company's independent auditor. The meeting confirmed strong shareholder support for the incumbent board and the company's executive compensation policies.

Key Highlights

1All nine nominated directors, including Steven A. Ballmer and William H. Gates III, were re-elected with high percentages of 'For' votes.
2Shareholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's named executive officers with a significant majority (98.94% 'For').
3Shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favor of holding advisory votes on executive compensation annually (84.04%).
4The appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2012 was ratified with strong shareholder approval (98.79% 'For').
5A shareholder proposal to establish a board committee on environmental sustainability was rejected by a substantial margin.

MICROSOFT CORP 8-K Report, Shareholder Vote Results (Nov 17, 2011)

Summary

Key Highlights

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