Title: Pennsylvania Proposal to Amend Articles of Incorporation: A Detailed Overview of Reverse Stock Split and Share Dividend Authorization Introduction: Pennsylvania companies seeking to make significant changes to their capital structure often propose amendments to their articles of incorporation. Two important mechanisms for achieving such changes are reverse stock splits and share dividends. This article aims to provide a thorough description of these concepts within the framework of the Pennsylvania Proposal to amend articles of incorporation, emphasizing their significance, process, and potential types. 1. Reverse Stock Split: A reverse stock split is a corporate action that consolidates a company's existing shares into fewer shares, increasing the share price proportionally. This mechanism is often employed to enhance the stock's attractiveness and comply with market requirements. Pennsylvania companies proposing a reverse stock split in their articles of incorporation must go through the following steps: — Board Approval: The company's board of directors must approve the proposal to amend the articles of incorporation, specifying the intended reverse stock split ratio. — Shareholder Approval: Shareholders must approve the proposed reverse stock split at a duly held meeting, complying with all necessary notification and voting requirements. — Filing: If approved, the company files the necessary documentation with the Pennsylvania Secretary of State, along with the appropriate fees, to effectuate the reverse stock split. Types of Reverse Stock Split Proposals in Pennsylvania: — Fixed Ratio Reverse Stock Split: This is the most common type, where the company specifies an exact ratio, such as 1-for-5, whereby every five existing shares are consolidated into one new share. — Floating Ratio Reverse Stock Split: This type allows the Board of Directors to determine the ratio within a prescribed range, granting flexibility based on market conditions. 2. Share Dividend Authorization: A share dividend is a distribution of additional shares to existing shareholders, typically based on their current holdings. This action functions as an alternative to cash dividends and allows companies to utilize their retained earnings or capital surplus effectively. Pennsylvania companies seeking to authorize a share dividend in their articles of incorporation must follow these steps: — Board Approval: The board of directors approves the proposal to amend the articles of incorporation, indicating the intended share dividend ratio. — Shareholder Approval: Shareholders vote on the share dividend proposal at a properly convened shareholder meeting, in compliance with relevant notification and voting requirements. — Filing: Once approved, the company submits the required forms and fees to the Pennsylvania Secretary of State to formalize the authorization of the share dividend. Types of Share Dividend Authorization Proposals in Pennsylvania: — Fixed Ratio Share Dividend: This type involves a specific ratio whereby shareholders receive additional shares based on their current holding. For example, a 10% share dividend would grant an additional 1 share for every 10 shares already held. — Floating Ratio Share Dividend: Companies may propose a range within which the Board of Directors can decide on the share dividend ratio while considering market conditions, prevailing regulations, and financial goals. Conclusion: Pennsylvania Proposal to amend articles of incorporation can significantly impact a company's capital structure through mechanisms such as reverse stock splits and share dividends. Companies must follow a well-defined process, including board and shareholder approval and filing with the state. By understanding the various types of reverse stock splits and share dividend authorizations, companies can choose the approach that best aligns with their strategic objectives and complies with applicable laws and regulations.