pre14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.)
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
|
|
|
þ |
|
Preliminary Proxy Statement |
|
|
|
o |
|
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
|
|
|
o |
|
Definitive Proxy Statement |
|
|
|
o |
|
Definitive Additional Materials |
|
|
|
o |
|
Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
H&R BLOCK, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
|
|
|
|
|
þ |
|
No fee required. |
o |
|
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1) |
|
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2) |
|
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3) |
|
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4) |
|
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5) |
|
Total fee paid: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
o |
|
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
o |
|
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by
registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of
its filing. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1) |
|
Amount Previously Paid: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2) |
|
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3) |
|
Filing Party: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4) |
|
Date Filed: |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
One H&R Block Way
Kansas City, Missouri 64105
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD DECEMBER 14, 2007
A special meeting of shareholders of H&R Block, Inc., a Missouri corporation (the Company),
will be held at the H&R Block Center located at One H&R Block Way (corner of 13th Street and
Walnut), Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, December 14, 2007 at 9:30 a.m., Kansas City time (CST).
Shareholders attending the meeting are asked to park in the H&R Block Center parking garage located
beneath the H&R Block Center (enter the parking garage from Walnut or Main Street). The meeting
will be held for the following purposes:
|
1. |
|
To approve a proposal to amend the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to
eliminate the classified structure of the Companys Board of Directors starting with the
2008 annual meeting of the Shareholders (See page 5); and |
|
|
2. |
|
The transaction of any other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournments thereof. |
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this
notice. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on November 2, 2007 as the record
date for determining shareholders of the Company entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the special meeting. Whether or not you expect to
attend the meeting in person, we urge you to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy
card as promptly as possible in the postage-paid envelope provided, or to vote by telephone or
Internet. Telephone and Internet voting information is provided on the proxy card. If you are
present at the meeting and desire to vote in person, your vote by proxy will not be counted.
By Order of the Board of Directors
BRET G. WILSON
Secretary
Kansas City, Missouri
November , 2007
H&R BLOCK, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE DECEMBER 14, 2007 SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE DECEMBER 14, 2007 SPECIAL MEETING AND VOTING
The Board of Directors (the Board of Directors or Board) of H&R Block, Inc., a Missouri
corporation (H&R Block or the Company) solicits the enclosed proxy for use at a special
meeting of shareholders of the Company to be held at 9:30 a.m. (CST), on Friday, December 14, 2007
at the H&R Block Center located at One H&R Block Way (corner of 13th Street and Walnut), Kansas
City, Missouri. This proxy statement contains information about the matter to be voted on at the
meeting and the voting process, as well as certain information about our directors and management.
WHY DID I RECEIVE THIS PROXY STATEMENT?
The Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at the special meeting because you are a
shareholder at the close of business on November 2, 2007, the record date, and are entitled to vote
at the meeting. This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card are being made available to
shareholders beginning on or about November , 2007. This proxy statement summarizes the information
you need to know to vote at the special meeting. You do not need to attend the special meeting to
vote your shares.
WHAT AM I VOTING ON?
You are voting on one item of business at the special meeting:
|
§ |
|
A proposal by the Companys Board of Directors to amend the Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the Company to eliminate the classified structure of the Companys Board
starting with the 2008 annual meeting of Shareholders (the Article Amendment). |
WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE?
Shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 2, 2007 are entitled to vote at the
special meeting. Each share of H&R Block common stock is entitled to one vote.
WHAT ARE THE VOTING RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS?
Our Board of Directors has determined that the Article Amendment is advisable and in the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders. Our Board of Directors has therefore unanimously
approved the Article Amendment and recommends that you vote FOR approval of the Article Amendment
at the special meeting.
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THE ARTICLE AMENDMENT?
The purpose of the Article Amendment is to eliminate the classified structure of the Companys
Board of Directors. The Companys Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated
Bylaws provide for the classification of the Board of Directors into three classes, with each class
being elected every three years. If approved, the Article Amendment would provide that, starting
at the 2008 annual meeting of the shareholders, all directors will be elected for one-year terms at
each annual meeting of the shareholders.
In addition, the Board has approved a similar amendment to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the
Company which will become effective upon shareholder approval of the Article Amendment.
HOW DO I VOTE?
It is important that your shares are represented at the special meeting, whether or not you attend
the meeting in person. To make sure that your shares are represented, we urge you to vote as soon
as possible by signing, dating and returning the accompanying proxy card in the postage-paid
1
envelope provided, or alternately by Internet or telephone by following the instructions on the
accompanying proxy card.
If you are a registered shareholder, there are four ways to vote:
|
§ |
|
By calling the toll-free telephone number indicated on your proxy card. Easy-to-follow
voice prompts allow you to vote your shares and confirm that your instructions have been
properly recorded; |
|
|
§ |
|
By going to the Internet Website indicated on your proxy card. As with telephone voting,
you can confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded; |
|
|
§ |
|
By signing, dating and returning the accompanying proxy card; or |
|
|
§ |
|
By written ballot at the special meeting. |
Your shares will be voted as you indicate. If you do not indicate your voting preferences, the
appointed proxies (Henry F. Frigon, David Baker Lewis and Tom D. Seip) will vote your shares FOR
item 1. If your shares are owned in joint names, all joint owners must vote by the same method and
if joint owners vote by mail, all of the joint owners must sign the proxy card.
If your shares are held in a brokerage account in your brokers name (this is called street name),
please follow the voting directions provided by your broker or nominee. You may sign, date and
return a voting instruction card to your broker or nominee or, in most cases, submit voting
instructions by telephone or the Internet to your broker or nominee. If you provide specific voting
instructions by mail, telephone, or the Internet, your broker or nominee should vote your shares as
you have directed.
At the special meeting, we will pass out written ballots to anyone who wishes to vote in person. If
you hold your shares in street name, you must request a legal proxy from your broker or other
nominee to vote at the special meeting.
If your shares are held through the H&R Block Retirement Savings Plan, please follow the voting
directions provided by Fidelity Management Trust Company, the Plans Trustee. You may sign, date
and return a voting instruction card to the Trustee or submit voting instructions by telephone or
the Internet. If you provide voting instructions by mail, telephone, or the Internet, the Trustee
will vote your shares as you have directed (or not vote your shares, if that is your direction). If
you do not provide voting instructions, the Trustee will vote your shares in the same proportion as
shares for which the Trustee has received voting instructions, except as otherwise required by law.
You must submit voting instructions to the Plan Trustee by no later than December 11, 2007 at 11:59
pm Eastern time in order for your shares to be voted as you have directed by the Trustee at the
special meeting. Plan participants may not vote their Plan shares in person at the special meeting.
MAY I ATTEND THE MEETING?
All shareholders, properly appointed proxy holders, and invited guests of the Company may attend
the special meeting. Shareholders who plan to attend the meeting must present a valid photo
identification. If you hold your shares in street name, please also bring proof of your share
ownership, such as a brokers statement showing that you owned shares of the Company on the record
date of November 2, 2007, or a legal proxy from your broker or nominee (a legal proxy is required
if you hold your shares in street name and you plan to vote in person at the special meeting).
Shareholders of record will be verified against an official list available at the registration
area. The Company reserves the right to deny admittance to anyone who cannot adequately show proof
of share ownership as of the record date.
2
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOLDING SHARES AS A SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD AND AS A BENEFICIAL OWNER?
If your shares are registered directly in your name with the Companys transfer agent, Mellon
Investor Services LLC, you are considered, with respect to those shares, the shareholder of
record. The proxy statement and proxy card have been made available directly to shareholders of
record by the Company.
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are
considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name. The proxy materials should be
forwarded to you by your broker, bank or nominee who is considered, with respect to those shares,
the shareholder of record. As the beneficial holder, you have the right to direct your broker, bank
or nominee how to vote and are also invited to attend the special meeting. However, since you are
not a shareholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the special meeting unless
you bring with you a legal proxy from the shareholder of record. A legal proxy may be obtained from
your broker or nominee. Your broker or nominee has enclosed a voting instruction card for you to
use in directing the broker, bank or other nominee how to vote your shares.
WHAT ARE BROKER NON-VOTES AND HOW ARE THEY COUNTED?
Broker non-votes occur when nominees, such as brokers and banks holding shares on behalf of the
beneficial owners, are prohibited from exercising discretionary voting authority for beneficial
owners who have not provided voting instructions at least ten days before the special meeting date.
If no instructions are given within that time frame, the nominees may vote those shares on matters
deemed routine by the New York Stock Exchange. On non-routine matters, nominees cannot vote
without instructions from the beneficial owner, resulting in so-called broker non-votes. Broker
non-votes are not counted for the purposes of determining the number of shares present in person or
represented by proxy on a voting matter. The proposal will be deemed to be a routine matter.
MAY I CHANGE MY VOTE?
If you are a shareholder of record, you may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the
special meeting by:
|
§ |
|
Returning a later-dated, signed proxy card; |
|
|
§ |
|
Sending written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company; |
|
|
§ |
|
Submitting a new, proper proxy by telephone, Internet or paper ballot, after the date of
the earlier voted proxy; or |
|
|
§ |
|
Attending the special meeting and voting in person. |
If you are a beneficial owner of shares, you may submit new voting instructions by contacting your
broker, bank or other nominee. You may also vote in person at the special meeting if you obtain a
legal proxy as described above.
WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL?
For the matter to be voted upon at the special meeting, shareholders may vote for, against,
or abstain on such matter. The Article Amendment has been unanimously adopted by the members of
the Board of Directors. Therefore, the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote is necessary for adoption of the Article Amendment. Shares represented by a proxy
which directs that the shares abstain from voting or that a vote be withheld on the proposal are
deemed to be represented at the meeting as to that matter, and have the same effect as a vote
against the proposal.
3
WHAT CONSTITUTES A QUORUM?
As of the
record date, shares of the Companys Common Stock were issued and outstanding. A
majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the special meeting, represented in person
or by proxy, will constitute a quorum. Shares represented by a proxy that directs that the shares
abstain from voting or that a vote be withheld on a matter will be included at the special meeting
for quorum purposes. Shares represented by proxy as to which no voting instructions are given as to
matters to be voted upon will be included at the special meeting for quorum purposes.
WHO WILL COUNT THE VOTE?
Representatives of Mellon Investor Services LLC, the Companys transfer agent, will count the vote
and serve as the inspectors of election.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY CARD?
It means your shares are held in more than one account. You should vote all your proxy shares.
WHAT IS THE COMPANYS WEB ADDRESS?
The Companys home page is www.hrblock.com. You can access this proxy statement at this web
address. The Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available free of
charge via a link from this address.
WILL ANY OTHER MATTERS BE VOTED ON?
As of the date of this proxy statement, our management knows of no other matter that will be
presented for consideration at the special meeting other than those matters discussed in this proxy
statement. If any other matters properly come before the meeting and call for a vote of the
shareholders, validly executed proxies in the enclosed form will be voted in accordance with the
recommendation of the Board of Directors.
4
ITEM 1
ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO ELIMINATE THE CLASSIFIED
BOARD STRUCTURE
Article 6(B) of the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (the Articles) and Section
15(a) of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the Bylaws) provide for the
classification of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) into three classes of
directors, with each class being elected every three years. The Board has determined that the
Articles should be amended to amend and restate Article 6(B) to eliminate the classified board
structure (the Article Amendment), and has unanimously adopted a resolution approving the Article
Amendment, declaring its advisability and recommending approval of the Article Amendment to our
shareholders.
The Board has passed a resolution amending the Bylaws of the Company to eliminate the Bylaw
provision providing for a classified board structure, to be effective at the time the Article
Amendment is approved by our shareholders (the Bylaw Amendment). The Board has also passed a
resolution adding a new Section 15(c) to the Bylaws implementing the Article Amendment and Bylaw
Amendment, which requires each incumbent director to agree to resign from any portion of his or her
current term that extends beyond the 2008 annual meeting. Further, each Director whose term would
not otherwise expire at the 2008 annual meeting has committed to stand for reelection at the 2008
annual meeting.
If the shareholders approve the Article Amendment, the terms of all Directors will expire at the
annual meeting of shareholders each year and their successors will be elected for one-year terms
that will expire at the next annual meeting. The text of the proposed Article Amendment is
attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement. The text of the Bylaw Amendment is attached as
Appendix B to this Proxy Statement.
The Board believes that shareholders should have the opportunity to vote on all Directors each year
and that elimination of the classified board structure will both enhance our Companys corporate
governance practices and be an effective way to maintain and enhance the accountability of the
Board. In making this determination, the Board has considered that removing the classified board
structure will have the effect of reducing the time required for a majority shareholder or group of
shareholders to replace a majority of the Board. Under our current classified board structure, a
majority of the Board may be replaced only after two annual elections. Under a declassified board
structure, the entire Board may be replaced each year. If the shareholders approve the Article
Amendment, all Directors who are elected at the 2008 annual meeting will be elected for a
one-year term that will expire at the 2009 annual meeting.
The Board examined the arguments for and against continuation of the classified board structure,
listened to the views of a number of its shareholders, and determined that the classified board
structure should be eliminated. The Article Amendment has unanimously been adopted by the members
of the Board. Therefore, approval of the Article Amendment requires the affirmative vote of at
least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, or
approximately shares.
If the shareholders approve the Article Amendment, it will become effective upon the filing of a
Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation with the Missouri Secretary of
the State. The Company plans to file a Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of
Incorporation promptly after the requisite shareholder vote is obtained.
If the shareholders approve the Article Amendment, Section 15(a) of the Bylaws will also be amended
to eliminate the classified board structure. The Bylaw Amendment has been approved by the Board
subject to the approval by the shareholders of the Article Amendment and does not
5
require separate approval by the shareholders. The Bylaw Amendment will become effective
concurrently with the effectiveness of the Article Amendment.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE
COMPANYS RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO ELIMINATE THE CLASSIFIED BOARD STRUCTURE, AND
PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE SO VOTED IN THE ABSENCE OF INSTRUCTIONS TO THE
CONTRARY.
6
INFORMATION REGARDING SECURITY HOLDERS
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table shows as of October 1, 2007 the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially
owned by each director, by each of the named executive officers set forth in the proxy statement
for our 2007 annual meeting of shareholders and by all directors and executive officers as a group.
The number of shares beneficially owned is determined under rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other
purpose. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual has
either sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any shares that the individual has
the right to acquire within 60 days through the exercise of any stock option or other right. Unless
otherwise indicated in the footnotes, each person has sole voting and investment power with respect
to shares set forth in the following table.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Units |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficially |
|
|
and Share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent |
|
Name |
|
Owned (1) |
|
|
Equivalent(2) |
|
|
Total |
|
|
of Class |
|
|
Thomas M. Bloch |
|
|
262,824 |
(3) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
262,824 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Richard C. Breeden |
|
|
6,000,000 |
(4) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6,000,000 |
|
|
|
1.84 |
|
Jerry D. Choate |
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Robert E. Dubrish |
|
|
779,985 |
(5) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
779,985 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Mark A. Ernst |
|
|
2,755,540 |
(6) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
2,755,540 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Henry F. Frigon |
|
|
72,000 |
|
|
|
16,406 |
|
|
|
88,406 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Robert A. Gerard |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Timothy C. Gokey |
|
|
239,410 |
(7) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
239,410 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Roger W. Hale |
|
|
132,689 |
|
|
|
5,493 |
|
|
|
138,182 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Len J. Lauer |
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
David B. Lewis |
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Tom D. Seip |
|
|
53,400 |
|
|
|
2,953 |
|
|
|
56,353 |
|
|
|
* |
|
L. Edward Shaw, Jr. |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Nicholas J. Spaeth |
|
|
556,666 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
556,666 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Steven Tait |
|
|
380,118 |
(8) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
380,118 |
|
|
|
* |
|
William L. Trubeck |
|
|
246,238 |
(9) |
|
|
1,701 |
|
|
|
247,939 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors and
executive officers as a
group (21 persons) |
|
|
11,870,598 |
(10)(11) |
|
|
28,108 |
|
|
|
11,898,706 |
|
|
|
3.64% |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than 1 % |
|
(1) |
|
Includes shares that on October 1, 2007 the specified person had the right to purchase as of
October 31, 2007 pursuant to options granted in connection with the Companys 1989 Stock
Option Plan for Outside Directors or the Companys Long-Term Executive Compensation Plans, as
follows: Mr. Bloch, 60,000 shares; Mr. Choate, 16,000 shares; Mr. Dubrish, 735,194 shares; Mr.
Ernst, 2,478,960 shares; Mr. Frigon, 72,000 shares; Mr. Gokey, 208,332 shares; Mr. Hale,
80,000 shares; Mr. Lauer, 16,000 shares; Mr. Lewis, 24,000 shares; Mr. Seip, 48,000 shares;
Mr. Spaeth, 556,666 shares; Mr. Tait, 349,999 shares; and Mr. Trubeck, 208,332 shares. |
|
(2) |
|
These amounts reflect share unit balances in the Companys Deferred Compensation Plan for
Directors, the Companys Deferred Compensation Plan for Executives and/or the Companys Stock
Plan for Non-Employee Directors. The value of the share units mirrors the value of the
Companys Common Stock. The share units do not have voting rights. |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Bloch has shared voting and shared investment power with respect to 121,600 of these
shares. Mr. Bloch disclaims beneficial ownership of 100,000 shares held by M&H Bloch Partners,
LP, except to the extent of his partnership interest therein. |
7
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Mr. Breeden is the managing member of Breeden Capital Partners LLC, managing member and
chairman and chief executive of Breeden Capital Management LLC and the Key Principal of
Breeden Partners (Cayman) Ltd. Breeden Capital Partners LLC
is in turn the general partner of Breeden Partners L.P. and Breeden Partners (California) L.P.
Pursuant to Rule 16a-1(a)(2)(ii)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, amended, Mr. Breeden
in his capacity as managing member, as well as chairman and chief executive officer of Breeden
Capital Management LLC, may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of all of the common stock
owned by Breeden Partners (Cayman) Ltd., Breeden Partners L.P. and Breeden Partners (California)
L.P. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes 4,667 shares of restricted stock granted under the Companys Long-Term Executive
Compensation Plan. |
|
(6) |
|
Includes 10,000 shares of restricted stock granted under the Companys Long-Term Executive
Compensation Plan and 9,241 shares held in the Companys Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the
ESPP). |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 6,667 shares of restricted stock granted under the Companys Long-Term Executive
Compensation Plan. |
|
(8) |
|
Includes 4,667 shares of restricted stock granted under the Companys Long-Term Executive
Compensation Plan. |
|
(9) |
|
Includes 4,667 shares of restricted stock granted under the Companys Long-Term Executive
Compensation Plan, 675 shares held in the ESPP, and 791 shares held in the Companys
Retirement Savings Plan. |
|
(10) |
|
Includes shares held by certain family members of such directors and officers or in trusts or
custodianships for such members (directly or through nominees) in addition to 5,116,398 shares
which such directors and officers have the right to purchase as of October 31, 2007 pursuant
to options granted in connection with the Companys stock option plans. |
|
(11) |
|
Includes 5,748,998 shares held with sole voting and investment powers and 6,121,600 shares
held with shared voting and investment powers. |
PRINCIPAL SECURITY HOLDERS
The following table sets forth the name, address and share ownership of each person or organization
known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock of
the Company. The information provided is based upon Schedule 13G filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent of |
|
|
Shares |
|
Common |
Name and Address |
|
Beneficially |
|
Stock |
of Beneficial Owner |
|
Owned |
|
Outstanding |
|
Ariel Capital Management, Inc. |
|
|
16,440,346 |
|
|
|
5.10% |
(1) |
200 E. Randolph Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, Illinois 60601 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Franklin Resources, Inc. |
|
|
20,839,877 |
|
|
|
6.50% |
(2) |
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, California 94403-1906 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harris Associates L.P. |
|
|
21,856,500 |
|
|
|
6.76% |
(3) |
Two North LaSalle Street, Suite 500
Chicago, Illinois 60602-3790 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. |
|
|
32,389,378 |
|
|
|
10.00% |
(4) |
100 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Davis Selected Advisers, L.P. |
|
|
38,390,977 |
|
|
|
11.91% |
(5) |
2949 East Elvira Road, Suite 101
Tucson, Arizona 85706 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Information as to the number of shares and the percent of Common Stock outstanding is as of
December 31, 2006 and is furnished in reliance on the Schedule 13G of Ariel Capital
Management, LLC filed on February 14, 2007. The Schedule 13G indicates that Ariel Capital
Management, LLC has sole voting power with regard to 14,619,636 shares and sole dispositive
power with regard to 16,352,646 shares. |
|
(2) |
|
Information as to the number of shares and the percent of Common Stock outstanding is as of
December 31, 2006 and is furnished in reliance on the Schedule 13G of Franklin Resources, Inc.
filed on February 5, 2007. The Schedule 13G indicates that Templeton Global Advisors Limited
has sole voting power with regard to 17,247,583 shares, sole dispositive power with regard to
17,408,983 shares, and shared dispositive power with regard to 38,600 shares. |
8
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Information as to the number of shares and the percent of Common Stock outstanding is as of
September 6, 2007 and is furnished in reliance on the Schedule 13D of Harris Associates L.P.
filed on September 19, 2007. The Schedule 13D indicates
that the number of shares beneficially owned includes 21,856,500 shares with shared voting
power, 578,300 shares with sole dispositive power and 21,278,200 shares with shared dispositive
power. |
|
(4) |
|
Information as to the number of shares and the percent of Common Stock outstanding is as of
June 30, 2007 and is furnished in reliance on the Schedule 13G of T. Rowe Price Associates,
Inc. filed on July 10, 2007. These shares are owned by various investors for which T. Rowe
Price serves as investment advisor with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote
the securities. For purposes of the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, T. Rowe Price is deemed to be the beneficial owner of such securities; however, it
expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities. The Schedule
13G indicates that T. Rowe Price has sole voting power with regard to 5,705,515 shares and
sole dispositive power with regard to 32,384,578 shares. |
|
(5) |
|
Information as to the number of shares and the percent of Common Stock outstanding is as of
December 31, 2006 and is furnished in reliance on the Schedule 13G/A of Davis Selected
Advisers, L.P. (Davis) filed on August 28, 2007. The Schedule 13G/A indicates that the
number of shares beneficially owned includes 34,808,279 shares with sole voting power and
38,390,977 shares with sole dispositive power. |
OTHER MATTERS
METHODS AND COSTS OF PROXY SOLICITATION
The Company will bear the costs of the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board for the
special meeting, which includes the cost of preparing, printing and mailing the proxy materials. In
addition, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries will be requested to forward
soliciting material to their principals and obtain their voting instructions, and the Company will
reimburse them for the expense of doing so. In addition to solicitation by mail, officers,
directors and regular employees of the Company, acting on its behalf, may also solicit proxies by
telephone, telegram, facsimile, electronic mail, personal interview or other electronic means. You
may also be solicited by advertisements in periodicals, press releases issued by the Company and
postings on the Companys corporate website. None of the Companys directors, officers or employees
will receive any extra compensation for soliciting you. In addition, the Company has retained
Mellon Investor Services LLC to assist in soliciting proxies, for which the Company expects to pay
a fee not to exceed $8,000, plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS
For a shareholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in the Companys proxy statement for the
2008 annual meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company
must receive notice at our offices at One H&R Block Way, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, Attention:
Corporate Secretary, on or before April 1, 2008. Applicable Securities and Exchange Commission
rules and regulations govern the submission of shareholder proposals and our consideration of them
for inclusion in next years proxy statement and form of proxy.
Pursuant to the Companys Bylaws, for any business not included in the proxy statement for the 2008
annual meeting to be brought before the meeting by a shareholder, the shareholder must give timely
written notice of that business to the Corporate Secretary. To be timely, the notice must be
received no later than June 15, 2008 (45 days prior to July 30, 2008). The notice must contain the
information required by the Companys Bylaws. Similarly, a shareholder wishing to submit a director
nomination directly at an annual meeting of shareholders must deliver written notice of the
nomination within the time period described in this paragraph and comply with the information
requirements in our Bylaws relating to shareholder nominations.
A proxy may confer discretionary authority to vote on any matter at a meeting if we do not receive
notice of the matter within the time frames described above. A copy of the Companys Bylaws is
available on our website at www.hrblock.com under the tab Our Company and then under the
heading Block Investors and then Corporate Governance, or upon request to: H&R Block, Inc.,
One H&R Block Way, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, Attention: Corporate Secretary. The Chairman
9
of the meeting may exclude matters that are not properly presented in accordance with the foregoing
requirements.
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters which will be presented at the meeting, but if
other matters do properly come before the meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the
proxy will vote according to their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
BRET G. WILSON
Secretary
10
APPENDIX A
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANYS RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
Article 6, Section B of the Charter shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read as
follows:
(B) Election of Directors. Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of
shareholders to hold office until the next succeeding annual meeting of shareholders
or until such directors successor has been elected and qualified. The term of
office of each director shall begin immediately after his election and each director
shall hold office until the next succeeding annual meeting of shareholders or until
such directors successor has been elected and qualified and subject to prior death,
resignation, retirement or removal from office of the director. No decrease in the
number of directors constituting the board of directors shall reduce the term of any
incumbent director.
A-1
APPENDIX B
AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANYS AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
Section 15(a) of the Bylaws shall be amended and restated in its entirety, and shall become
effective upon the filing of a Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of
Missouri implementing the Article Amendment, to read as follows:
15. INCUMBENCY OF DIRECTORS. (a) Election and Term of Office. Directors shall be
elected at each annual meeting of shareholders to hold office until the next
succeeding annual meeting of shareholders or until such directors successor has
been elected and qualified. The term of office of each director shall begin
immediately after his election and each director shall hold office until the next
succeeding annual meeting of shareholders or until such directors successor has
been elected and qualified and subject to prior death, resignation, retirement or
removal from office of the director. No decrease in the number of directors
constituting the board of directors shall reduce the term of any incumbent director.
A new Section 15(c) of the Bylaws shall be added and shall become effective upon the filing of a
Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of Missouri implementing the Article
Amendment, to read as follows:
(c) Qualification of Directors. To qualify for election or service as a director
of the corporation, each incumbent director shall agree to resign from any portion
of his or her current term that extends beyond the certification of the election
results of the next annual election of directors.
B-1
PRELIMINARY COPY SUBJECT TO COMPLETION YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT Please take a moment now to vote
your shares of H&R Block, Inc. Common Stock for the upcoming Special Meeting of Shareholders.
PLEASE REVIEW THE PROXY STATEMENT AND VOTE TODAY IN ONE OF THREE WAYS: 1. Vote by TelephonePlease
call toll-free at 1-866-540-5760, on a touch-tone telephone, and follow the simple instructions.
You will be required to provide the unique control number printed below. OR 2. Vote by
InternetPlease access http://www.proxyvoting.com/hrb, and follow the simple instructions. You
will be required to provide the unique control number printed below. You may vote by telephone or
Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the named
proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you had marked, signed and returned a proxy
card. OR 3. Vote by MailIf you do not wish to vote by telephone or over the Internet, please
complete, sign, date and return the proxy card in the envelope provided. ___TO VOTE BY MAIL PLEASE
DETACH PROXY CARD HERE AND RETURN IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED___THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 1. PROPOSAL 1 Approve an amendment to the Restated Articles FOR
AGAINST ABSTAIN of Incorporation of the Company to eliminate the classification of the Board of
Directors Address Change: Mark Box and Indicate Changes to Left. Dated: , 2007 Signature
(Please date and sign exactly as name appears at the left and return in the enclosed postage paid
envelope. If the shares are owned in joint names, all joint owners should sign.) |
Please take a moment now to vote your shares of H&R Block, Inc. Common Stock for the upcoming
Special Meeting of Shareholders. |
PLEASE REVIEW THE PROXY STATEMENT AND VOTE TODAY IN ONE OF THREE WAYS: |
1. Vote by TelephonePlease call toll-free at 1-866-540-5760, on a touch-tone telephone,
and follow the simple instructions. You will be required to provide the unique control
number printed below. |
2. Vote by InternetPlease access https://www.proxyvoting.com/hrb, and follow the simple
instructions. Please note you must type an s after http. You will be required to provide
the unique control number printed below. |
You may vote by telephone or Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your telephone or Internet
vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you had marked,
signed and returned a proxy card. |
3. Vote by MailIf you do not wish to vote by telephone or over the Internet, please
complete, sign, date and return the proxy card in the envelope provided. |
6TO VOTE BY MAIL PLEASE DETACH PROXY CARD HERE AND RETURN IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED6 |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 1. |
PROPOSAL 1 Approve an amendment to the FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
Restated Articles of Incorporation of o o o
the Company to eliminate the
classification of the Board of Directors |
Address Change: Mark Box and Indicate Changes to Left.
Dated: , 2007 |
(Please date and sign exactly as name appears at the left and return in the enclosed postage paid
envelope. If the shares are owned in joint names, all joint owners should sign.) |
PRELIMINARY COPY
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION |
PLEASE VOTE TODAY!
SEE REVERSE
SIDE FOR THREE EASY WAYS TO VOTE.
6TO VOTE BY MAIL PLEASE DETACH PROXY CARD HERE AND RETURN IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED6 |
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND WILL BE VOTED AS
SPECIFIED ON THE REVERSE SIDE HEREOF. IF NO SUCH SPECIFICATION IS MADE, IT WILL BE VOTED
FOR PROPOSAL 1. |
The undersigned hereby appoints Henry F. Frigon, David Baker Lewis and Tom D.
Seip and each of them, the proxies (acting by a majority, or if only one be
present, then that one shall have all of the powers hereunder), each with full
power of substitution, for and in the name of the undersigned to represent and
to vote all shares of stock of H&R BLOCK, INC., a Missouri corporation, of the
undersigned at the special meeting of shareholders of said corporation to be
held at the H&R Block Center located at One H&R Block Way (corner of 13th
Street and Walnut), Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, December 14, 2007,
commencing at 9:30 a.m., Kansas City time (CST), and at any adjournment or
postponement thereof, notice of said meeting and the proxy statement furnished
herewith having been received by the undersigned and, without limiting the
authority hereinabove given, said proxies or proxy are expressly authorized to
vote in accordance with the undersigneds direction as to those matters set
forth on the reverse side hereof and in accordance with their best judgment in
connection with the transaction of such other business, if any, as may properly
come before the meeting, including any adjournment or postponement of the
meeting. |
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED AND DATED ON REVERSE |