VOTING STATISTICS

Percentage of online votes received in 2024 and over the past 20 years

In recent years, there has been notable increases in the number of investors opting for electronic communications, resulting in higher percentages of online votes being submitted. Investors have been utilising the convenience of secure links being provided to them within meeting communications to engage and manage their investments online.

In 2024, continuing the trend observed in 2023, online voting numbers have declined ever so slightly. However, the overall change over recent years still reflects a positive shift towards more advanced and diverse forms of electronic communications. Over time, these newer technologies have enabled more inclusive and assessable ways for people to engage, showcasing the evolving landscape of voter participation.

Total Online Votes

We have observed a decrease in Online Votes being received in 2024 with the S&P/ASX 100 down 5.7% percent in comparison to this time last year. We also note that online voting in the S&P/ASX200 was down 15.15% from 2023. Interestingly the S&P/ASX201+ which saw a decline in 2023 rose by 4.72% in 2024 and was more in line with online voting figures of 2022.

2024

2023

2022

2021

Percentage of holders who received materials by email vs. post

Amongst our issuers, we have seen a significant leap in investors being sent meeting communications electronically, rising by 9.03% from last year. This continued upward trajectory towards e-comms reflects a growing trend as investors are being more adept with technology preferring to receive communications via email. Email almost certainly offers several advantages, not only as an efficient way for investors to manage their investments more effectively, it enables investors to receive important updates and information at almost the same time as it is released to the ASX. Not only are e-comms a more environmentally friendly option, but it has become more reliable than physical mail and it enables investors to stay informed and make timely decisions regarding the management of their investments. As technology advances continue, it is likely the trend towards electronic communications will continue.

2024

67.43% Emailed

32.57% Posted

2023

58.40% Emailed

41.60% Posted

A breakdown of communication channels by Indicies

S&P/ASX 100

S&P/ASX 200

S&P/ASX 201+

Form Volumes (Online & Paper) and Number of AGMS

A notable decrease in votes lodged was mainly across the S&P/ASX100 and S&P/ASX200. The overall decline could suggest that increasingly retail holders feel their individual votes and the role they play is insignificant to the overall outcome of the resolutions. Consequently, it appears many smaller shareholders are opting not to participate, again perceiving their influence as negligible in the grand scheme of things.

Number of AGMS Total Forms Received (Paper & Online)
2024 380 154,202
2023 405 176,331
2022 390 165,177
2021 399 173,741
2020 384 145,597
2019 376 231,271
2018 415 267,799
2017 399 267,293
2016 363 246,184
2015 347 246,794
2014 322 261,628

Total Voters

The total number of holders who voted remains low across all indices, again suggesting those investors with smaller investments and retail holders are choosing not to vote.

2024
All Clients 0.61%
S&P/ASX 100 0.68%
S&P/ASX 200 0.72%
S&P/ASX 201+ 0.71%

Percentage of Voting Issued Capital

The percentage of Issued capital voted has decreased for the S&P/ASX100 & S&P/ASX200. Trends show that for both indices the percentages appeared to peak in 2023 only to fall slightly in 2024, although not as low than we had witnessed in 2022.

The S&P/ASX201+ showed that in support of the documented increase in the total online votes being lodged that it remains strong.

2024

2023

2022

2021

Direct Voting

The number of issuers opting to offer Direct Voting rose from 65 in 2023 to 79 in 2024, this rise was across all indices. Direct voting has continued to rise consistently since 2020 and, more specifically post COVID-19, partly due to companies taking the opportunity to modernise their constitutions and enabling the adoption of virtual meeting elements. Implementing direct voting provides shareholders with an alternative way to participate in meetings without the need to appoint a proxy.