[8-K] News Corporation Reports Material Event

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

ECD Automotive Design, Inc. (Nasdaq: ECDA) filed an 8-K summarising the outcomes of its 22-Jul-2025 annual meeting, where 53.46% of the 47.6 m outstanding shares were represented.

• Reverse stock split authority: Shareholders authorised the board to effect one or more reverse splits of up to 1-for-200 any time before 31-Jul-2026 (25.13 m FOR; 302k AGAINST).
• Nasdaq Rule 5635 share-issuance waiver: Approved issuance of shares tied to three June-2025 financing agreements in excess of the 19.99% cap and below the Nasdaq “Minimum Price” (25.02 m FOR; 410k AGAINST).
• Equity Incentive Plan expansion: Reserve lifted from 2.5 m to 15 m shares (25.00 m FOR; 437k AGAINST).
• Director election: Thomas Wood elected Class II director through the 2028 AGM (25.13 m FOR; 285k AGAINST).
• Auditor ratification: Barton CPA PLLC retained for fiscal 2025 (25.36 m FOR; 44k AGAINST).

All proposals passed comfortably; no other material financial data or forward guidance was provided.

Positive

• Capital-structure flexibility: Board now authorised to execute reverse split and raise equity beyond Nasdaq caps, improving odds of maintaining listing.
• Strong shareholder support: Each proposal passed with >98% of votes cast (except split authority at 53%), indicating investor alignment.
• Auditor continuity: Barton CPA PLLC ratified with 99.7% support, reducing audit-transition risk.

Negative

• Potential dilution: Approval to issue >20% new shares and increase incentive pool to 15 m shares could materially dilute existing holders.
• Reverse split signal: Authorization for a split up to 1:200 implies the share price may be at risk of breaching Nasdaq minimums.

Insights

Securities Analyst

TL;DR: All AGM proposals passed, providing financing flexibility but introducing dilution and signalling potential share-price weakness.

The meeting secured board authority for a reverse split of up to 1:200—typically used to regain Nasdaq price compliance—suggesting management anticipates continued share-price pressure. Shareholders also approved issuances above the 19.99% cap tied to recent financing agreements and expanded the equity incentive pool six-fold to 15 m shares; both moves are materially dilutive but give the company capital-raising latitude. Auditor ratification and director election are routine. Net impact is neutral: flexibility is positive, but dilution and split risk offset the benefit.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 22, 2025

NEWS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

Delaware

001-35769

46-2950970

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

(Commission  File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(212) 416-3400

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

NWSA

The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

NWS

The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01    Other Events. 

As previously reported, under each of News Corporation's (the "Company's") stock repurchase programs (the "Repurchase Programs"), the Company is authorized to acquire from time to time up to $1 billion in the aggregate of the Company's outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Under the rules of the Australian Securities Exchange (the "ASX"), the Company is required to provide to the ASX, on a daily basis, disclosure of transactions pursuant to the Repurchase Programs, if any. The Company also discloses information concerning the Repurchase Programs in the Company's quarterly and annual reports.

Attached as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 are copies of the information provided to the ASX on the respective dates noted therein. Such information contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's intent to repurchase, from time to time, the Company's Class A common stock and Class B common stock. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by such statements due to, among other factors, changes in the market price of the Company's stock, general market conditions, applicable securities laws and alternative investment opportunities, as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The "forward-looking statements" included in such information are made only as of the date of this report. We do not have and do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any "forward-looking statements" to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, and we expressly disclaim any such obligation, except as required by law or regulation.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.						Description
99.1						Information provided to the Australian Securities Exchange on the date noted on Exhibit 99.1.
99.2						Information provided to the Australian Securities Exchange on the date noted on Exhibit 99.2.
104						Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

			NEWS CORPORATION (REGISTRANT)
			By:						/s/ Michael L. Bunder
									Michael L. Bunder
									Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Dated: July 23, 2025

FAQ

What reverse stock split ratio did ECDA shareholders approve?

They authorised up to a 1-for-200 reverse split, executable any time before 31 Jul 2026 at the board’s discretion.

How many new shares can ECD Automotive Design issue under the June 2025 financing agreements?

Shareholders waived the 19.99% Nasdaq cap, allowing all shares required by the June 5 & 20, 2025 agreements to be issued, even below the “Minimum Price.”

How big is the increase to ECDA’s Equity Incentive Plan?

The reserve rises from 2.5 million to 15 million common shares.

Was the company’s auditor changed for 2025?

No. Barton CPA PLLC was ratified with 99.71% of votes cast.

Who was elected to ECDA’s board at the 2025 AGM?

Thomas Wood was elected as a Class II director through the 2028 annual meeting.