DEFA14A: WisdomTree Urges Stockholders to Vote FOR All Proposals at 2024 Annual Meeting

WisdomTree encourages stockholders to vote for all proposals and director nominees at the upcoming 2024 Annual Meeting, highlighting the company's successful strategy and board refreshment efforts.

Summary

• WisdomTree is urging its stockholders to vote FOR all proposals and all nine director nominees at the 2024 Annual Meeting on June 12, 2024.
• The company emphasizes its successful strategy, evidenced by solid core business performance and positive momentum.
• The Board of Directors has been refreshed with new perspectives and longer-term insights.
• ISS and Glass Lewis have affirmed that there is no case for change at WisdomTree.
• The company's stock price is up more than 40% since the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders.
• WisdomTree is realizing potential in its digital assets and blockchain-enabled portfolio, including the launch of WisdomTree Prime.
• The Board has added six new directors and rotated all committee chair positions in the past three years.
• Two current directors, who were nominated by dissident stockholder ETFS Capital, fully support WisdomTree's strategic plan and direction.
• WisdomTree currently has approximately $108.5 billion in assets under management globally.

Sentiment

Score: 8

Explanation: The document expresses a positive outlook, highlighting the company's successful strategy, stock price increase, and support from ISS and Glass Lewis. The tone is confident and optimistic.

Positives

• The company's stock price has increased by over 40% since the 2023 annual meeting.
• WisdomTree is making strides in the digital asset space with the launch of WisdomTree Prime.
• The Board has been refreshed with six new directors in the past three years, demonstrating a commitment to corporate governance.
• ISS and Glass Lewis support the current board composition and recommend voting for all nominees.
• Two directors nominated by ETFS Capital support WisdomTree's strategic plan.
• WisdomTree currently has approximately $108.5 billion in assets under management globally.

Risks

• Changes to WisdomTree's Board could disrupt the company's positive momentum and growth trajectory.
• The company's ability to achieve its financial and business plans, goals and objectives and drive stockholder value, including with respect to its ability to successfully implement its strategy relating to WisdomTree Prime, is subject to risks and uncertainties.

Future Outlook

WisdomTree aims to continue its strong momentum and reject ETFS Capital's campaign by ensuring the Company can continue its strong momentum and reject ETFS Capitals misguided campaign by voting FOR all nine director nominees.

Management Comments

• 'In the months leading up to this years Annual Meeting, we have detailed WisdomTrees proven ability to drive long-term stockholder value and growth, as well as the significant Board refreshment the Company has undertaken over the past three years to include new voices and diverse perspectives,' said Win Neuger, Chair of the WisdomTree Board of Directors.
• 'Critical to our momentum and continued execution is the right balance of director tenure and deep institutional knowledge, which we have with our current Board composition,' said Win Neuger, Chair of the WisdomTree Board of Directors.
• Win Neuger stated that the company is committed to acting in stockholders' best interests as they continue to evolve.

Industry Context

The document highlights the importance of institutional knowledge on the board, noting that none of WisdomTree's U.S. publicly-traded asset manager peers has a board of directors in which the longest tenured board member has served less than six years.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• WisdomTree compares its board tenure to a peer group of 12 U.S. publicly-traded asset managers, including AB, AMG, APAM, BEN, BLK, BSIG, FHI, IVZ, JHG, TROW, VCTR, and VRTS.
• The company emphasizes that its board composition aligns with industry standards regarding the importance of institutional knowledge.

Stakeholder Impact

• Stockholders are encouraged to vote in favor of the proposals to support the company's strategy and growth.
• The company aims to empower investors and consumers to shape their future and support financial professionals to better serve their clients and grow their businesses.

Next Steps

• Stockholders are urged to vote using the WHITE proxy card before the 2024 Annual Meeting on June 12, 2024.

Key Dates

Keywords

WisdomTree, stockholders, annual meeting, directors, proxy vote, ETFs, WisdomTree Prime, digital assets, blockchain, corporate governance, ISS, Glass Lewis