If you hold shares in a company that's calling an Annual General Meeting (AGM), you may be entitled to vote on the decisions up for discussion - new or existing directors, dividend payments, and more. Here's how that actually works when you're investing through EasyEquities.
On this page:
Before the AGM
You'll usually get the invite straight from that company's transfer secretary (Computershare is a common one), sent by email or post - not through EasyEquities directly. It's worth checking the inbox linked to your EasyEquities account (including spam) around AGM season, since that's where the notice will land.
Related: Do all my shares qualify me to vote? · Does EasyEquities ever let me vote directly through the app? · What are corporate actions?
Only whole shares carry voting rights - if you hold Fractional Share Rights (FSRs) in a company, those don't count towards a vote. You'll also need to have held your whole shares by the company's Last Day to Trade, which is stated in every AGM notice, so that you're on the register by the Record Date and eligible to vote.
Related: When do I need to have bought my shares by, in order to vote? · What do I need to attend and vote at an AGM myself? · What is a voting right?
Earlier than you might think - the Last Day to Trade is always a few days before the Record Date, not the same day, because your shares need time to settle into your name. If you buy on or before the Last Day to Trade shown in the AGM notice (and don't sell before the Record Date), you'll automatically be on the register and eligible to vote. Buying for the first time after the Last Day to Trade means you'll miss out on voting for that AGM, even if the purchase happens before the Record Date itself.
Related: Do all my shares qualify me to vote? · What do I need to attend and vote at an AGM myself? · Is the trade executed on the JSE? When is it executed? How long will it take to settle?
How to Actually Vote
You don't need to be in the room (or on the call) to have your say. You can submit a proxy, which lets someone else vote on your behalf according to your instructions. The exact proxy process is set by the company holding the AGM, not by EasyEquities, so follow the specific steps laid out in the notice you receive from their transfer secretary.
Related: What do I need to attend and vote at an AGM myself? · Does EasyEquities ever let me vote directly through the app? · What are corporate actions?
You'll need your ID and a Letter of Representation from us. Since EasyEquities holds your whole shares on your behalf, this letter proves to the company running the meeting that you're the underlying owner entitled to vote. Email corporateaction@easyequities.co.za from the address registered on your EasyEquities account to request one - and only after the Record Date shown in your AGM notice, so our team can confirm you're on the register.
Related: Do all my shares qualify me to vote? · How do I vote if I can't attend in person?
For some AGMs - usually bigger or higher-profile ones - we run the voting process directly, and you'll get a notification or email from us inviting you to cast your vote without needing to request a Letter of Representation yourself. This isn't something we do for every company's AGM though, so if you don't hear from us directly, the Letter of Representation route is always available to you.
Related: How will I know if a company I hold shares in is having an AGM? · What do I need to attend and vote at an AGM myself?
If Something Doesn't Go to Plan
This usually means the notice landed somewhere you don't check regularly, or it's sitting in a spam folder - invites come from the company's transfer secretary, not from EasyEquities. Chat to Ella and she'll help get this to the right team if there's a genuine registration issue.
This article covers voting once you already know an AGM is happening. For what triggers a corporate action in the first place, or the mechanics of voting rights generally, see What are corporate actions? and What is a voting right?