Shareholders back Waste Management (NYSE: WM) directors and stock purchase plan
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Waste Management, Inc. reported results from its Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 12, 2026. A total of 345,284,283 shares of common stock were represented in person or by proxy out of 402,913,509 shares outstanding and entitled to vote.
Stockholders elected all nominated directors and approved each of the three other proposals presented. The company also filed an amended and restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan, effective May 12, 2026, as an exhibit to this report.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
8-K Event Classification
2 items: 5.07, 9.01
2 items
Item 5.07
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Governance
Results of a shareholder vote on proposals at an annual or special meeting.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Shares represented: 345,284,283 shares
Shares outstanding entitled to vote: 402,913,509 shares
Example director vote – Thomas L. Bené: 298,076,937 For; 2,679,806 Against
+2 more
5 metrics
Shares represented
345,284,283 shares
Shares present or represented at May 12, 2026 Annual Meeting
Shares outstanding entitled to vote
402,913,509 shares
Common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at meeting
Example director vote – Thomas L. Bené
298,076,937 For; 2,679,806 Against
Director election vote totals, plus 272,188 abstentions and 44,255,352 non-votes
Example director vote – James C. Fish, Jr.
298,876,351 For; 1,896,186 Against
Director election vote totals, plus 256,394 abstentions and 44,255,352 non-votes
Proposal vote example
321,725,515 For; 23,078,548 Against
One proposal’s vote totals, with 480,220 abstentions
Key Terms
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, broker non-votes, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, emerging growth company, +1 more
5 terms
Annual Meeting of Stockholders financial
"At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Waste Management, Inc. (the “Company”) held on May 12, 2026"
broker non-votes financial
"For | | Against | | Abstentions | | Broker Non-Votes 281,781,929 | | 18,039,768 | | 1,207,234 | | 44,255,352"
Broker non-votes occur when a brokerage firm is unable to vote on a shareholder’s behalf during a company election or decision because the shareholder has not given specific voting instructions, and the broker is not allowed or chooses not to vote on certain matters. They are important because they can affect the outcome of votes, especially when the results are close, by effectively reducing the total number of votes cast.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan financial
"10.1 | | Waste Management, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective May 12, 2026)"
An employee stock purchase plan is a company program that lets workers buy shares through small payroll deductions, often at a discount to the market price and after a set offering period. Think of it like a workplace savings plan that turns into ownership: it encourages employees to share in the company’s success and can create predictable buying or selling of stock that investors watch because it affects supply, demand and employee incentives.
emerging growth company regulatory
"405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company"
An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.
Form 8-K regulatory
"FORM 8-K Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934"
A Form 8-K is a report that companies file with the government to share important news quickly, such as changes in leadership, major business deals, or financial updates. It matters because it helps investors stay informed about significant events that could affect the company's value or stock price.
FAQ
What did Waste Management (WM) stockholders vote on at the 2026 Annual Meeting?
Stockholders voted on the election of director nominees and three additional proposals. All nominated directors were elected, and each of the other proposals received stockholder approval, reflecting support for the company’s recommended agenda at the May 12, 2026 Annual Meeting.
Were all Waste Management (WM) director nominees elected in 2026?
Yes, all listed director nominees were elected. Each nominee received more votes “For” than “Against,” with additional abstentions and broker non-votes recorded, confirming continued stockholder support for the company’s board composition in 2026.
Did Waste Management (WM) stockholders approve changes to an employee stock plan?
Yes. The company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated effective May 12, 2026, was included as Exhibit 10.1. Stockholders approved the related proposal, allowing the updated plan’s terms to take effect following the Annual Meeting.
What is Exhibit 10.1 in Waste Management’s May 2026 Form 8-K?
Exhibit 10.1 is the Waste Management, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, amended and restated effective May 12, 2026. It sets out the updated terms under which eligible employees may purchase company stock through the plan going forward.