Apple Inc. has officially announced the date for its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, setting the stage for crucial votes on executive pay, board composition, and a politically charged proposal concerning its operations in China. The meeting will be held virtually on February 24, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
Agenda and Key Proposals for Shareholder Vote
In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this Thursday, the tech giant outlined a packed agenda. Shareholders of record as of January 2, 2026, are eligible to participate and cast their votes. The key matters up for decision include the re-election of Apple's board of directors, the approval of executive compensation packages, and the ratification of Ernst & Young as the company's independent accounting firm.
A significant highlight is the advisory vote on CEO Tim Cook's compensation, which totals approximately $74 million. The board is recommending a vote in favour of this package. Another contentious proposal, submitted by a conservative think tank, requests an audit of Apple's manufacturing and supply chain ties with China. Apple's board has advised shareholders to reject this proposal, labelling it as "unnecessary" and "highly prescriptive."
Board Continuity and Succession Speculation
In a notable departure from tradition, Apple is temporarily waiving its internal guideline that requires board members to step down at the age of 75. This waiver directly applies to two long-serving directors: Board Chairman Art Levinson (75) and Audit Committee Chair Ron Sugar (77), both of whom are standing for re-election.
The company defended this move, citing the "experience" of the individuals and the need for "continuity among the Board's leadership positions." This decision has fuelled speculation within investment circles about Apple's long-term succession planning. With ongoing discussions about Tim Cook's eventual retirement timeline, retaining Levinson as chairman is seen as a move to ensure stability. Analysts suggest this could be particularly important if Cook eventually transitions into the role of Chairman himself.
Cook's Letter Highlights 2025 Innovations
Ahead of the meeting, CEO Tim Cook sent an invitation letter to shareholders, celebrating the company's achievements in 2025. He highlighted the successful launch of the iPhone 17 lineup, including the powerful iPhone 17 Pro and the remarkably thin iPhone Air. Cook also praised the AirPods Pro 3 for their sound quality and noise cancellation.
The letter placed a strong emphasis on Apple's advancements in artificial intelligence. Cook noted that Apple Intelligence features, such as Writing Tools and Visual Intelligence, along with Live Translation in AirPods, are making complex technology accessible. He also pointed to the new Liquid Glass design language and the performance of Apple silicon in products like the M5-powered iPad Pro and MacBook Pro as key milestones.
As February 24 approaches, shareholders will weigh these technological triumphs against governance questions, setting the tone for Apple's direction in the latter half of the decade.
