NASDAQ Provides Additional Relief To Shareholder Approval Requirements For Companies Affected By Covid-19

Nasdaq has provided additional relief to listed companies through temporary rule 5636T easing shareholder approval requirements for the issuance of shares in a capital raise.  The rule was effective May 4, 2020 and will continue through and including June 30, 2020.  The purpose of the rule change is to give listed companies affected by Covid-19 quicker access to much-needed capital.

Temporary Rule 5636T is limited to the transactions and shareholder approval requirements specifically stated in the rule.  If shareholder approval is required based on another rule, such as a change of control, or another Nasdaq rule is implicated, those other rules will need to be complied with prior to an issuance of securities.

The Nasdaq shareholder approval rules generally require companies to obtain approval from shareholders prior to issuing securities in connection with: (i) certain acquisitions of the stock or assets of another company (see HERE); (ii) equity-based compensation of officers, directors, employees or consultants (see HERE); (iii)