what is a proxy statement 
a proxy statement is a document containing the information the securities and exchange commission sec requires companies to provide to shareholders so they can make informed decisions about matters that will be brought up at an annual or special stockholder meeting issues covered in a proxy statement can include proposals for new additions to the board of directors information on directors salaries information on bonus and options plans for directors and any declarations made by the company s management 1understanding proxy statementsa proxy statement must be filed by a publicly traded company before shareholder meetings and it discloses material matters of the company relevant for soliciting shareholder votes and final approval of nominated directors proxy statements are filed with the sec as form def 14a or definitive proxy statement and can be found using the sec s database known as the electronic data gathering analysis and retrieval system edgar 