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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Filed by the Registrant ⌧ |
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ◻ |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) |
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) |
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Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
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No fee required. |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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April 3, 2025
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of AXT, Inc. on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. The meeting will be held at our principal offices located at 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, California 94538.
This year, we are continuing to use the Internet as our primary means of furnishing proxy materials to our stockholders. Consequently, most of our stockholders will not receive paper copies of our proxy materials. Instead, on or about April 4, 2025, we will send to these stockholders a notice with instructions to access the proxy materials and vote via the Internet. The notice will also provide information on how stockholders may obtain paper copies of our proxy materials if they so choose. This makes the proxy distribution process more efficient and less costly, and helps conserve natural resources.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, your vote is very important and we encourage you to vote promptly. As an alternative to voting in person at the annual meeting, you may vote via the Internet, by telephone or, if you receive a paper proxy card in the mail, by mailing the completed proxy card. It is important that you use this opportunity to take part in our affairs by voting on the business to come before this meeting. Regardless of the number of shares you own, your careful consideration of, and vote on, the matters before our stockholders is important.
Thank you for your attention to these matters.
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Sincerely yours, |
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Gary L. Fischer |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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and Corporate Secretary |
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2025
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS:
Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the stockholders of AXT, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, at our principal offices located at 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, California 94538 , for the following purposes:
| 1. | To elect one (1) Class III director to hold office for a three-year term and until her successor is elected and qualified. |
| 2. | To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. |
| 3. | To approve the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan. |
| 4. | To ratify the appointment of BPM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. |
| 5. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 21, 2025 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this meeting and any adjournment or postponement. For ten days prior to the meeting, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for examination by any stockholder, for any purpose relating to the meeting, during ordinary business hours at our principal offices located at 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, California 94538.
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By order of the Board of Directors, |
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Gary L. Fischer |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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and Corporate Secretary |
Fremont, California
April 3, 2025
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IMPORTANT: Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we encourage you to vote your shares via a toll-free telephone number or over the Internet according to the instructions on the proxy card. To vote and submit your proxy by mail, please fill in, date, sign and promptly mail the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying postage-paid envelope to ensure that your shares are represented at the meeting. If you attend the meeting, you may choose to vote in person even if you have previously sent in your proxy card. |
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2025
The proxy materials, including this proxy statement, proxy card or voting instruction card and our 2024 Annual Report, are being distributed and made available on or about April 4, 2025. This proxy statement contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote on the matters brought before the meeting. Please read it carefully.
In accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), we have elected to provide our stockholders access to our proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the "Notice") will be mailed on or about April 4, 2025 to most of our stockholders who owned our common stock at the close of business on March 21, 2025, the record date. Stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on a website referred to in the Notice or request a printed set of the proxy materials be sent to them by following the instructions in the Notice.
The Notice will also provide instructions on how you can elect to receive future proxy materials electronically or in printed form by mail. If you choose to receive future proxy materials electronically, you will receive an email next year with instructions containing a link to the proxy materials and a link to the proxy voting site. Your election to receive proxy materials electronically or in printed form by mail will remain in effect until you terminate such election.
Choosing to receive future proxy materials electronically will allow us to provide you with the information you need in a timelier manner, save us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you and conserve natural resources.
The annual meeting will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, for the following purposes:
| 1. | To elect one (1) Class III director to hold office for a three-year term and until her successor is elected and qualified. |
| 2. | To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. |
| 3. | To ratify the appointment of BPM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. |
| 4. | To approve the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan. |
| 5. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
Our Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Items 1, 2, 3 and 4 above. If you wish to attend the meeting in person, the meeting will be held at our principal offices located at 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, California 94538 , which can be reached by the following directions:
On highway 880 take the Auto Mall Pkwy exit and head east, and turn right into Technology Drive.
On highway 680 take the Auto Mall Pkwy exit and head west, and turn left into Technology Drive.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of AXT, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AXT” or the “Company”), for use at AXT’s annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 15, 2025, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The proxy materials, including this proxy statement, proxy card or voting instruction card and our 2024 Annual Report, are being distributed and made available on or about April 3, 2025.
SOLICITATION AND VOTING
Voting Rights and Outstanding Securities. Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 21, 2025, the record date, will be entitled to vote at the meeting and any adjournment thereof. As of that time, we had 45,597,995 shares of common stock outstanding, the holders of which are entitled to vote with respect to all matters to be acted upon at the annual meeting. The holders of our issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are not entitled to vote on any matters at the meeting. Each stockholder of record of our common stock as of the record date is entitled to one vote for each share of our common stock held by such stockholder. Our Bylaws provide that the holders of a majority of all of the shares of the stock entitled to vote at the meeting, whether present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. Votes for and against, abstentions and “broker non-votes” (shares held by a broker or nominee for which the broker or nominee does not have the authority, either express or discretionary, to vote on a particular matter) will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
Broker Non-Votes. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker submits a proxy card with respect to shares held in a fiduciary capacity (typically referred to as being held in “street name”), but declines to vote on a particular matter because the broker has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. Under the rules that govern brokers who are voting with respect to shares held in street name, brokers have the discretion to vote such shares on routine matters, but not on non-routine matters. The ratification of auditors is considered a routine matter. The election of our Class III director, the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (as defined below) and the approval of the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan are considered non-routine matters. Your stockbroker, bank or other nominee will not be able to vote on any of the non-routine matters set forth in this proxy statement unless they have your voting instructions, so it is very important that you indicate your voting instructions to the institution holding your shares by completing and returning the voting instruction card.
Solicitation of Proxies. The Board is making this proxy solicitation and we will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to soliciting stockholders by mail, we will request banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to solicit customers for whom they hold our stock and will reimburse them for their reasonable, out-of-pocket costs. We may use the services of our officers, directors and regular employees to further solicit proxies, personally or by telephone, without additional compensation for assisting with the solicitation.
Vote Required . If a quorum is present, the nominee for director receiving the highest number of votes will be elected as the Class III director. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of our common stock cast affirmatively or negatively is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of our common stock cast affirmatively or negatively is required to approve the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of our common stock cast affirmatively or negatively is required to approve ratification of the selection of our independent auditors. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of the Class III director, the advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers and the approval of the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan. Abstentions will have no effect on the election of the Class III director, the advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, the approval of the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan and the ratification of the selection of our independent auditors.
Voting of Proxies. All valid proxies received before the meeting will be exercised. All shares represented by a proxy will be voted and, where a proxy specifies a stockholder’s choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with that specification. If no choice is indicated on the proxy, the shares will be voted as the Board recommends on each proposal. The persons named as proxies will vote on any other matters properly presented at the annual meeting in accordance with their best judgment. A stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke his or her proxy at any time before it is exercised by delivering to our Corporate Secretary a written instrument
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revoking the proxy or a duly executed proxy with a later date, or by attending the meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the annual meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute revocation of a proxy.
Voting by Telephone or the Internet or mail. If you hold shares through a bank or brokerage firm, you may be able to simplify your voting process and save us expense by voting your shares by telephone or over the Internet. The bank or brokerage firm through which you hold your shares will provide you with separate instructions on a form you will receive from them. Many such firms make telephone or Internet voting available, but the specific processes available will depend on those firms’ individual arrangements. When you vote by phone or over the Internet, your vote is recorded immediately. We encourage our stockholders to vote using these methods whenever possible. If you attend the annual meeting, you may also submit your vote in person, and any previous votes that you submitted, whether by phone, over the Internet or by mail, will be superseded by the vote that you cast at the annual meeting.
How to Obtain a Separate Set of Proxy Materials. To reduce the expense of delivering duplicate proxy materials to our stockholders who may have more than one AXT stock account, unless otherwise requested, pursuant to current householding rules, we will deliver only one set of proxy materials to stockholders who share the same address. If you share an address with another stockholder and have received only one set of proxy materials, you may write or call us to request a separate copy of these materials at no cost to you. For future annual meetings, you may request separate proxy materials, or request that we send only one set of proxy materials to you if you are receiving multiple copies, by calling our Investor Relations department at: (510) 438-4700, or by writing us at: AXT, Inc., 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, CA 94538, Attention: Investor Relations.
Communicating with AXT. You can obtain information about us by one of the following methods:
| ● | Our home page on the Internet, located at www.axt.com , gives you access to product and marketing information, in addition to recent press releases, financial information and stock quotes, as well as links to our filings with the SEC. Online versions of this proxy statement, our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and our letter to stockholders are located under the “Investors” section on our website at www.axt.com . |
| ● | To have information such as our latest quarterly earnings release, Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q mailed to you, please contact our Investor Relations at (510) 438-4700 or by email at: ir@axt.com . |
For all other matters, please contact our Investor Relations at (510) 438-4700, or send your correspondence to the following address:
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AXT, Inc. |
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4281 Technology Drive |
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Fremont, CA 94538 |
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Attention: Investor Relations |
2
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
We have a classified Board of Directors consisting of two Class I directors, one Class II director and one Class III director, who will serve until the annual meetings of stockholders to be held in 2026, 2027 and 2025, respectively, and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors are elected for terms of three years to succeed those directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting dates.
The term of the Class III director will expire on the date of the 2025 annual meeting. Accordingly, one nominee is to be elected to serve as the Class III director of the Board of Directors at the 2025 annual meeting. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors has recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has nominated, Christine Russell, the current Class III director of the Board of Directors, as the nominee for election by the stockholders to this position. If elected, the nominee will serve as the Class III director until our annual meeting of stockholders in 2028 and until her successor is elected and qualified. If the nominee declines to serve or becomes unavailable for any reason, the proxies may be voted for such substitute nominee as the Board of Directors may designate.
Vote Required and Board of Directors Recommendation
If a quorum is present the nominee for Class III director receiving the highest number of votes will be elected as the Class III director. Abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the vote.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the nominee named above.
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The following table sets forth, for our current directors, including the Class III nominee to be elected at this meeting, and the non-director Executive Officer, information with respect to their ages as of March 21, 2025 and their background:
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Director
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Class I directors whose terms expire at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders: |
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Morris S. Young |
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Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer |
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80 |
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1989 |
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David C. Chang |
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Director |
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2000 |
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Class II director whose term expires at the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders: |
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Jesse Chen |
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Lead Independent Director |
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1998 |
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Class III director whose term expires at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders: |
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Christine Russell |
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Director |
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2019 |
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Gary L. Fischer |
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Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary |
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74 |
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Members of the Board of Directors
Morris S. Young, Ph.D. co-founded AXT in 1986 and has served as a director since 1989. Dr. Young served as our Chairman of the Board of Directors from February 1998 to May 2004 and as our president and chief executive officer from 1989 to May 2004. From 2004 until his retirement in 2006, Dr. Young served as our chief technology officer. He was reappointed as our chief executive officer on July 16, 2009 and Chairman of the Board of Directors on August 12, 2021. From 1985 to 1989, Dr. Young was a physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Dr. Young has a B.S. degree in metallurgical engineering from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, a M.S. degree in metallurgy from Syracuse University, and a Ph.D. in metallurgy from Polytechnic University.
The Board has determined that Dr. Young’s long history with the Company, as well as his breadth of experience and on-going, active involvement in the semiconductor industry, make him a valuable asset to the Board.
David C. Chang, Ph.D. has served as one of our directors since December 2000. Dr. Chang co-founded The Global Maximum Educational Opportunities, Inc., which provides study abroad programs in China for U.S. undergraduate students, in 2011 and became its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in August 2013. Dr. Chang has served as president of Polytechnic University in New York (now known as the Tandon School of Engineering, New York University) from 1994 to 2005 and chancellor from 2005 to 2013, and Professor Emeritus at New York University since 2013. Previously, Dr. Chang was dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Arizona State University. Dr. Chang served as a director of the NSF/Industry Corporate Research Center for Microwave and Millimeter-Wave Computer Aided Design from 1981 to 1989. Dr. Chang was a member of the board of directors of Time Warner Cable Inc. from 2004 to 2016. Dr. Chang has a M.S. degree and a Ph.D. in applied physics from Harvard University and a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan.
The Board has determined that Dr. Chang’s extensive experience in the semiconductor industry allows him to make significant contributions to the strategic direction of the Company.
Jesse Chen has served as one of our directors since February 1998 and was our Chairman of the Board of Directors from May 2004 until October 2007, at which time he was appointed our lead independent director. Mr. Chen served as our Chairman of the Board of Directors from March 2009 until August 12, 2021. Since May 1997, Mr. Chen has served as a managing director of Maton Ventures, an investment company. From 1990 to 1996, Mr. Chen served as chief executive officer of BusLogic, Inc., a fabless semiconductor and computer peripherals company. Mr. Chen serves
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on the board of directors of a private company. Mr. Chen has a B.S. degree in aeronautical engineering from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan and a M.S. degree in electrical engineering from Loyola Marymount University.
The Board has determined that Mr. Chen’s experience as a chief executive officer and his investment background provides him with the experience and knowledge in compensation and governance matters for technology companies to enhance his contributions to the Board and its committees.
Christine Russell has served as one of our directors since December 2019. Ms. Russell also serves on the board of directors and as audit committee chair of both QuickLogic Corporation (Nasdaq: QUIK) and eGain Corporation (Nasdaq: EGAN). She is chairman emeritus and a director on the board of SVDX (Silicon Valley Directors Exchange), a professional organization that provides a forum for education, conversation about current issues, and peer interaction for boards of directors of Silicon Valley companies. From 2018 to 2020, Ms. Russell served as chief financial officer of PDF Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDFS), a provider of yield improvement technologies for the IC manufacturing process life cycle. She previously served as chief financial officer of Uni-Pixel, Inc., a manufacturer of touch sensor films, which was sold to a China-based firm. Other companies include Vendavo, Inc., a SaaS-based pricing optimization software company addressing the Global 2000 and EAG, Inc. (Evans Analytical Group), a global provider of analytical testing for technology companies, including major semiconductor, chemicals and pharmaceuticals firms. Prior to EAG, she served in the roles of both chief financial officer and EVP of business development at Virage Logic Corporation, a Nasdaq-listed semiconductor intellectual property company that was sold to Synopsys, Inc. in 2010. Ms. Russell holds a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Santa Clara University.
The Board has determined that Ms. Russell’s financial expertise, her background and experience in the finance function in a number of companies make her a valuable contributor to the Board and its committees.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Director Independence
The Board has determined that, other than Dr. Morris S. Young, each of the members of the Board is an independent director for purposes of the Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards.
Executive Sessions
Our independent directors meet in an executive session without management present each time the Board holds its regularly scheduled meetings. Jesse Chen, an independent director, was designated by the Board as the lead independent director. As the lead independent director, Mr. Chen chairs the executive sessions.
Committees and Meeting Attendance
The Board has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each of these committees operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. Copies of these charters are available on our website at www.axt.com . The Board held 9 meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Each of the standing committees of the Board held the number of meetings indicated below. During the last fiscal year, each of our directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and of the committees of the Board on which such director served during that period. Directors are encouraged to attend our annual meetings of stockholders. Dr. David C. Chang, Jesse Chen and Christine Russell attended our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders.
The following table sets forth the three standing committees of the Board, the members of each committee during the last fiscal year and the number of meetings held by each committee;
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Nominating and
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Jesse Chen |
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(Chair) |
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David C. Chang |
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(Chair) |
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Christine Russell |
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(Chair) |
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Number of Meetings: |
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11 |
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4 |
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Audit Committee
The members of the Audit Committee during 2024 were Dr. David C. Chang, Jesse Chen and Christine Russell. The Board has determined that all Audit Committee members are “independent” as defined under the applicable Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules and regulations and as such rules apply to audit committee members. The Board has determined that each of Dr. David C. Chang, Jesse Chen and Christine Russell is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Audit Committee’s functions include:
| ● | overseeing the accounting, financial reporting and audit processes; |
| ● | reviewing the qualifications, independence and performance, and approving the terms of engagement, of the independent registered public accounting firm; |
| ● | reviewing the results and scope of audit and other services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm; |
| ● | reviewing the accounting principles and auditing practices and procedures to be used in preparing our financial statements; |
| ● | reviewing our internal controls; |
| ● | reviewing and approving related-party transactions; and |
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| ● | discussing with management the Company’s major financial risk exposures as well as risks and exposures associated with cybersecurity, information security and privacy matters and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures. |
For additional information concerning the Audit Committee, see “Audit Committee Report” and “Proposal No. 4 - Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”
Compensation Committee
The members of our Compensation Committee during 2024 were Dr. David C. Chang, Jesse Chen and Christine Russell. The Board has determined that all members of the Compensation Committee are “independent” as the term is defined by applicable Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules.
The Compensation Committee has been delegated the responsibility by the Board to oversee the programs under which compensation is paid or awarded to our Named Executive Officers and to evaluate the performance of these executive officers. The Compensation Committee has been delegated the authority to: (i) oversee our compensation policies and practices; (ii) review and approve compensation and compensation procedures for our executive officers; (iii) oversee and approve director compensation, and (iv) oversee and approve equity awards to our employees, officers and directors. More specifically, the Compensation Committee’s responsibilities include: overseeing our general compensation structure, policies and programs, and assessing whether our compensation structure establishes appropriate incentives for management and employees; administering our incentive compensation and equity-based compensation plans, including our equity incentive plans; reviewing and approving compensation procedures for our executive officers; reviewing and recommending to the Board the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer based on relevant corporate goals and objectives and the Board’s performance evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer; reviewing and approving the compensation of executive officers, other than the Chief Executive Officer; approving employment and retention agreements and severance arrangements for executive officers, including change-in-control provisions, plans or agreements; and approving the compensation of directors for service on the Board and its committees and recommending changes in compensation to the Board. The Chief Executive Officer does not participate in discussions or approvals related to his compensation. Regarding most compensation matters, including executive and director compensation, our management provides recommendations to the Compensation Committee.
The agenda for meetings of the Compensation Committee is determined by its Chair with the assistance of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. Compensation Committee meetings are regularly attended by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. The Compensation Committee periodically meets in executive session without members of management present. The Compensation Committee has authority under its charter to retain, approve fees for and terminate advisors, consultants and agents as it deems necessary to assist in the fulfillment of its responsibilities. The Compensation Committee reviews the total fees paid to outside compensation consultants by us to ensure that the consultant maintains its objectivity and independence when rendering advice to the Compensation Committee.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The members of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee during 2023 were Dr. David C. Chang, Jesse Chen and Christine Russell. The Board has determined that all members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are “independent” as the term is defined by applicable Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for evaluating and selecting director nominees, determining criteria for selecting new directors, developing and reviewing on an ongoing basis the adequacy of the corporate governance principles and guidelines adopted by the Board, overseeing the evaluation of the Board and committees of the Board, and adopting, approving, monitoring and enforcing compliance with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Director Nominations
Director Qualifications. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the following factors in reviewing possible candidates for nomination as director:
| ● | the appropriate size of our Board and its committees; |
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| ● | the perceived needs of the Board for particular skills, background and business experience; |
| ● | the skills, background, reputation, and business experience of nominees compared to the skills, background, reputation, and business experience already possessed by other members of the Board; |
| ● | nominees’ independence from management; |
| ● | applicable regulatory and listing requirements, including independence requirements and legal considerations, such as antitrust compliance; |
| ● | the benefits of a constructive working relationship among directors; and |
| ● | the desire to balance the considerable benefit of continuity with the periodic injection of the fresh perspective provided by new members. |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s goal is to assemble a Board consisting of a variety of perspectives and skills derived from high quality business and professional experience. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a formal policy with respect to diversity, but it does consider Board candidates and/or nominees who represent a mix of backgrounds, diversity of race and ethnicity, gender, age, skills and experience that enhance the quality of the Board’s deliberations and decisions. Other than the foregoing, there are no stated minimum criteria for director nominees, although the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also consider such other factors as it may deem, from time to time, are in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that it is important that at least one member of the Board should meet the criteria for an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by SEC rules. Under applicable listing requirements, at least a majority of the members of the Board must meet the definition of “independent director.” The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also believes it appropriate for one or more key members of our management to participate as a member of the Board.
Other than the foregoing, there are no stated minimum criteria for director nominees, although the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also consider such other factors as it may deem, from time to time, are in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.
Identification and Evaluation of Nominees for Director. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies nominees by first evaluating the current members of the Board willing to continue in service. Current members of the Board with skills and experience that are relevant to our business and who are willing to continue in service are considered for re-nomination, balancing the value of continuity of service by existing members of the Board with that of obtaining a new perspective. If any member of the Board does not wish to continue in service or if the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or the Board decides not to re-nominate a member for re-election, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will identify the desired skills and experience of a new nominee in light of the criteria above. Current members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board are polled for suggestions as to individuals meeting the criteria of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Research may also be performed to identify qualified individuals.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers properly submitted stockholder recommendations for candidates for membership on the Board. Our Bylaws contain provisions which address the process by which a stockholder may nominate an individual to stand for election to the Board at our annual meeting of stockholders. In addition to satisfying the requirements of our Bylaws, stockholders who intend to nominate a candidate to stand for election to the Board at our annual meeting of stockholders, other than the candidates we have nominated, must also comply with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Candidates so recommended will be reviewed using the same process and standards for reviewing candidates identified above under “Identification and Evaluation of Nominees for Director.” In order to be evaluated in connection with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s established procedures for evaluating potential director nominees, any recommendation for director nominees submitted by a stockholder must be sent in writing to the Corporate Secretary, 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, CA 94538, at least 120 days prior to the anniversary of the date of the proxy statement that was mailed to stockholders in connection with the prior year’s annual
8
meeting of stockholders and must contain the following information:
| ● | the candidate’s name, age, contact information and present principal occupation or employment; |
| ● | a description of the candidate’s qualifications, skills, background, and business experience during, at a minimum, the last five years, including his/her principal occupation and employment and the name and principal business of any corporation or other organization in which the candidate was employed or served as a director; and |
| ● | a statement signed by the candidate that the candidate is willing to be considered and willing to serve as a director if nominated and elected. |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate incumbent directors, as well as candidates for director nominee submitted by directors, management, and stockholders consistently using the criteria stated in this policy and will select the nominees that in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s judgment best suit the needs of the Board at that time.
Communications with Directors
Stockholders may communicate with the Board by writing to us at AXT, Inc., 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, CA 94538, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Your letter should indicate that you are an AXT stockholder. Stockholders who would like their submission directed to a member of the Board may so specify, and the communication will be forwarded as appropriate. Depending on the subject matter, management will (i) forward the communication to the director or directors to whom it is addressed; (ii) attempt to handle the inquiry directly, for example where it is a request for information about us or it is a stock related matter; or (iii) not forward the communication if it is primarily commercial in nature, comprises spam, junk mail, mass mailings, product complaints or inquiries, job inquiries, business solicitations, or relates to otherwise inappropriate matters.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.
Board Leadership Structure
Mr. Jesse Chen currently serves as the lead independent director and was Chairman of the Board until August 12, 2021. Dr. Morris S. Young currently serves as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Morris S. Young was appointed Chairman of the Board on August 12, 2021.
The Board believes the combined role of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, together with the role of the lead independent director, appropriately balances our leadership. The lead independent director chairs Board meetings when the Chairman of the Board is not present, including all executive sessions of the independent directors without management present. The lead independent director has the authority to call meetings of the independent directors and serves as the liaison between the independent directors and the Chairman of the Board on sensitive issues.
Board Diversity Matrix
|
|
|
||||
|
Board Diversity Matrix (As of April 3, 2025) |
|||||
|
Total Number of Directors |
|
4 |
|||
|
Directors |
|
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Part II: Demographic Background |
|
|
|
|
|
|
African American or Black |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Alaskan Native or Native American |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Asian |
|
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Hispanic or Latinx |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
White |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Two or More Races or Ethnicities |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
LGBTQ+ |
|
0 |
|||
|
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background |
|
1 |
|||
9
Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
The Board’s risk oversight function is administered through Board committees. Generally, the committee with subject matter expertise in a particular area is responsible for overseeing the management of risk in that area. For example, the Audit Committee oversees the management of financial, accounting, internal control and cybersecurity risks, the Compensation Committee oversees the management of risks in the Company’s compensation programs, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees compliance with Company policies.
We have an internal audit function that reports directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee reviews and approves the internal audit plan once a year and receives periodic updates of internal audit activity in meetings held at least quarterly throughout the year. Updates include discussion of audit project results, quarterly assessment of internal controls and risks of fraud.
In carrying out their risk oversight duties, the committees review management’s implementation of risk policies and procedures, and review reports from management, independent auditors, internal audit, legal counsel, regulators and outside experts, as appropriate, regarding risks the Company faces.
The Board and its committees are committed to ensuring effective risk management oversight and work with management to ensure that effective risk management strategies are incorporated into the Company’s culture and day-to-day business operations.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all of our employees and directors, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller, which is available under the “Investors” section on our website at www.axt.com . In addition, we will provide a copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics upon request made in writing to us at AXT, Inc., 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, CA 94538, attention: Corporate Secretary. We will disclose any amendment to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, or waiver of any of its provisions, applicable to an executive officer or director under the “Investors” section on our website at www.axt.com .
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The members of our Compensation Committee during 2023 were Dr. David C. Chang, Jesse Chen and Christine Russell. None of the members of the Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of AXT. During fiscal 2024, no member of the Compensation Committee had any relationship with us requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. During fiscal 2024, none of our executive officers served on the compensation committee (or its equivalent) or on a board of directors of another entity any of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee or our Board.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
We have adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines in addition to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter and Nominating and Governance Committee Charter. These materials are available under the “Investors” section on our website at www.axt.com . A printed copy of these materials may be obtained by any stockholder upon request made in writing to us at AXT, Inc., 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, CA 94538, attention: Corporate Secretary.
10
PROPOSAL NO. 2
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), our stockholders are entitled to cast an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) as disclosed in this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a "say-on-pay" proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on the design and effectiveness of our executive compensation programs.
As described in detail under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” our executive compensation programs are intended to ensure that our compensation and benefits policies attract, motivate and retain key employees necessary to support our operations and our strategic growth. We urge our stockholders to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis of this proxy statement, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and the related tables and disclosures, for a more complete understanding of how the Company’s executive compensation policies and procedures operate. We believe that our executive compensation programs are appropriate and aligned with the Company’s performance.
We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our NEO compensation as described in this proxy statement by voting “FOR” the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”
Vote Required and Board of Directors Recommendation
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of our common stock cast affirmatively or negatively at the annual meeting of stockholders, at which a quorum is present, will be required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the vote.
Even though this say-on-pay vote is advisory and therefore will not be binding on the Company, our Compensation Committee and our Board value the opinions of our stockholders. Accordingly, to the extent there is a significant vote against the compensation of our NEOs, we will consider our stockholders’ concerns and our Compensation Committee will evaluate what actions may be necessary or appropriate to address those concerns. For example, following the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, our Board and Compensation Committee adopted at-risk, performance-based equity awards as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. We hold an advisory vote on executive compensation each year and will hold another advisory vote at our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this proxy statement.
11
PROPOSAL NO. 3
APPROVAL OF THE AXT, INC. 2025 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
The AXT, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Prior Plan”) had a ten-year term and expired on April 1, 2025. The Prior Plan will continue to govern the awards granted under it. We are asking our stockholders to approve the AXT, Inc. 2025 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2025 Plan”) and its material terms to continue our equity incentive program so that the Company may successfully attract and retain highly skilled employees and executive officers in the future. The Board of Directors adopted the 2025 Plan on April 2, 2025, subject to approval by our stockholders at the 2025 annual meeting, and has unanimously recommended that our stockholders approve and adopt the 2025 Plan.
In determining the number of shares to be made available under the 2025 Plan, the Board and Compensation Committee considered the importance of maintaining an equity incentive program to attract, retain and reward employees, directors, and consultants. The 2025 Plan allows the Compensation Committee to, among other things, grant performance-based equity awards that align executive compensation with Company performance and stockholder interests.
We are requesting that our stockholders approve and authorize the issuance of shares under the 2025 Plan equal to (i) approximately 3,733,401 shares that were available for grant under the Prior Plan as of April 1, 2025, the date the Prior Plan expired, and (ii) any shares subject to awards granted under the Prior Plan that, on or after the date of stockholder approval of the 2025 Plan, expire or terminate without having been exercised or settled in full, or are forfeited to or repurchased by the Company. If our stockholders approve the 2025 Plan, we currently anticipate that the shares available under the 2025 Plan will be sufficient to meet our expected needs through approximately 2027.
If our stockholders do not approve the 2025 Plan, the Company will not have an equity incentive program in the future for new awards and could be precluded from successfully attracting and retaining highly skilled employees and executive officers.
Our executive officers and directors have an interest in the approval of the 2025 Plan by our stockholders because they are eligible for awards under the 2025 Plan.
Key Features of the 2025 Plan
Key features of the 2025 Plan include:
|
• |
Stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the 2025 Plan may not be repriced without stockholder approval. |
|
|
• |
Full value awards (that is, awards granted with a per share purchase or exercise price less than the fair market value on grant date) will reduce the 2025 Plan share reserve at the rate of one and one-half shares for each share actually granted. |
|
|
• |
Shares used to pay the exercise price of an award and any shares withheld for taxes will not be available again for grant under the 2025 Plan. |
|
|
• |
The 2025 Plan share reserve also will be reduced by the full number of shares subject to a stock appreciation right, regardless of the number of shares actually delivered upon exercise. |
|
|
• |
The 2025 Plan includes reasonable limits as to the maximum number of shares subject to awards that could be granted in each fiscal year of the Company to non-employee members of the Board. |
|
|
• |
Awards under the 2025 Plan may be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or clawback upon certain events, including conduct detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company. |
The 2025 Plan is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement. The following summary of the 2025 Plan does not contain all of the terms and conditions of the 2025 Plan, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 2025 Plan. You should refer to Appendix A for a complete set of the terms and conditions of the 2025 Plan.
12
Summary of the 2025 Plan
General
The purposes of the 2025 Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, provide additional incentive to employees, directors, and consultants, and promote the success of the Company’s business. The 2025 Plan allows for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units, performance shares, at-risk awards, and other stock or cash awards as determined by the administrator of the 2025 Plan (the “Administrator”), which means the Board unless administration has been delegated to a duly appointed committee.
Authorized Shares
Subject to the adjustment provisions in the 2025 Plan, stockholders are being asked to approve the issuance of shares under the 2025 Plan equal to (i) approximately 3,733,401 shares that were available for grant under the Prior Plan as of April 1, 2025, and (ii) any shares subject to awards granted under the Prior Plan that, on or after the date of stockholder approval of the 2025 Plan, expire or terminate without having been exercised or settled in full, or are forfeited to or repurchased by the Company. The shares may be authorized but unissued shares or reacquired shares of the Company’s common stock.
Any shares subject to full value awards granted under the 2025 Plan will be counted against the share reserve as one and one-half shares for every one share granted. Shares returned to the 2025 Plan that were previously subject to a full value award under the Prior Plan will be added back based on the same ratio that applied under the Prior Plan when the award was originally granted (i.e., one and one-half shares for each one share, or two shares per share, as applicable).
Administration
The 2025 Plan will be administered by the Board or a committee appointed by the Board, in accordance with applicable laws and the rules of any applicable stock exchange. To make grants intended to qualify as exempt transactions under Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Rule 16b-3”), the members of the committee must qualify as “non-employee directors” under Rule 16b-3. The Administrator may delegate day-to-day administration of the 2025 Plan, or any of its administrative functions, to one or more individuals, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the Plan.
The Administrator has full power to make all other determinations it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the 2025 Plan. All decisions and determinations by the Administrator will be final and binding on all participants and other holders of awards.
No Repricings
The Administrator may not implement any exchange program under which (i) the exercise price of outstanding awards may be increased or reduced, (ii) outstanding awards may be surrendered or cancelled in exchange for cash or other awards (whether of the same or a different type), or (iii) outstanding awards may be transferred to a financial institution or other person or entity selected by the Administrator.
Eligibility
Awards may be granted to employees, directors, and consultants of the Company, and to employees and consultants of any parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of the Company. However, incentive stock options may be granted only to individuals who, at the time of grant, are employees of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as defined under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code. As of April 2 , 2025, there were approximately 1,500 employees (including 2 executive officers), 2 consultant, and 3 non-employee directors who would be eligible to be granted awards under the 2025 Plan.
Options
Each option granted under the 2025 Plan will be evidenced by a stock option agreement that specifies the exercise price, term of the option, form(s) of consideration for exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator determines. Except in certain cases involving the assumption or substitution of options in connection with corporate transactions, the exercise price per share of each option may not be less than the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. In the case of an incentive stock option granted to a participant who, at the time of grant, owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or
13
any parent or subsidiary (a “Ten Percent Stockholder”), the exercise price may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of a share on the date of grant. The fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock generally means the closing price per share on the grant date as quoted on The NASDAQ Global Select Market.
Options will be exercisable at such times and under such conditions as are determined by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable award agreement. An option is considered exercised when the Company receives both (i) a properly completed notice of exercise and (ii) full payment of the exercise price (and any required tax withholdings). Until the shares subject to an option are issued, the participant will have no voting, dividend, or other rights as a stockholder with respect to such shares.
The maximum term of any option will be stated in the award agreement and may not exceed ten years from the date of grant (or five years for an incentive stock option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder).
Stock Appreciation Rights
A stock appreciation right (“SAR”) gives the participant the right to receive, upon exercise, the excess of the fair market value of a share on the exercise date over the exercise price of the SAR. The maximum term of a SAR may not exceed ten years from the date of grant. This amount is multiplied by the number of shares exercised and may be paid in cash, shares of the Company’s common stock, or a combination of both, as determined by the Administrator.
SARs may be granted independently (“freestanding SARs”) or in tandem with a related stock option (“tandem SARs”). Each SAR will be evidenced by an award agreement specifying the exercise price and other applicable terms and conditions, as determined by the Administrator.
Except in connection with certain corporate transactions involving the assumption or substitution of SARs, the exercise price of a freestanding SAR may not be less than the fair market value of a share on the date of grant. The exercise price of a tandem SAR may not be less than the exercise price of the related option. Tandem SARs may be exercised only at the times and to the extent the related option is exercisable, subject to additional terms set by the Administrator.
Restricted Stock Units
Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) represent a contractual right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock (or, at the discretion of the Administrator, the cash equivalent) at a future date, subject to the terms of the participant’s award agreement. Each RSU granted under the 2025 Plan will be evidenced by an award agreement specifying the number of RSUs granted, the vesting conditions, the form of settlement, and other terms and conditions as determined by the Administrator.
RSUs will result in a payment to the participant only if the applicable vesting conditions are satisfied. These conditions may include continued service, attainment of performance goals, or other criteria established by the Administrator. The Administrator may determine that vested RSUs be settled in shares of common stock, cash, or a combination of both.
The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any vesting conditions or accelerate the vesting or settlement of any RSU award. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, RSUs that do not vest prior to the date specified in the agreement will be forfeited.
Restricted Stock
Restricted stock awards represent shares of the Company’s common stock that are subject to vesting or other restrictions imposed by the Administrator. Each restricted stock award under the 2025 Plan will be evidenced by an award agreement specifying the number of shares granted, any vesting conditions or period of restriction, and other terms and conditions of the award.
Restricted stock may (but need not) be subject to vesting conditions based on continued service, achievement of performance goals, or other factors. During any period of restriction, unless the Administrator provides otherwise, the
14
participant will have the right to vote the shares and to receive dividends or other distributions. However, any dividends or distributions paid on unvested shares will be subject to the same vesting and forfeiture conditions as the underlying restricted stock.
The Administrator, in its discretion, may reduce or waive any vesting conditions, or accelerate the lapse of any restrictions. Unless otherwise provided in the award agreement or by the Administrator, any unvested restricted stock will be forfeited upon the participant’s termination of service.
Performance Units and Performance Shares
Performance units and performance shares are awards that provide for payment to a participant only if specified performance goals are achieved over a designated performance period. Each performance unit will have an initial value determined by the Administrator at or before the time of grant. Each performance share will have an initial value equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.
Each award of performance units or performance shares granted under the 2025 Plan will be evidenced by an award agreement specifying the number of units or shares, the applicable vesting conditions and performance period, and any other terms and conditions, as determined by the Administrator. Vesting criteria may include continued service, the attainment of specified Company-wide or business unit performance objectives, individual performance goals, or other factors determined by the Administrator.
Earned performance units and performance shares will be settled, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, in shares, cash, or a combination of both. The Administrator may, in its discretion, reduce or waive any vesting or performance conditions or accelerate vesting. Any performance units or performance shares that are unearned or unvested as of the date specified in the award agreement will be forfeited.
Dividend Equivalents
A dividend equivalent represents a credit equal to the amount of cash dividends paid on a share of the Company’s common stock, payable in cash, shares, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator may provide in the applicable award agreement that dividend equivalents will accrue with respect to awards that have a record date prior to the date the award is settled or forfeited.
Dividend equivalents, if credited, will be subject to the same vesting and forfeiture conditions as the underlying award to which they relate. No dividend equivalents will be paid or settled on performance shares, performance units, or restricted stock units unless and until the underlying award vests. In the event of a dividend or distribution paid in shares or a recapitalization or other adjustment under the 2025 Plan, appropriate adjustments will be made to outstanding awards to reflect the change in capital structure. Any securities or property received in connection with such adjustments will be subject to the same vesting and settlement conditions as the original award. Dividend equivalents may accrue during the vesting period but shall not be paid or settled unless and until the underlying award vests.
Other Awards
The 2025 Plan also permits the Administrator to grant other stock-based or cash-based awards, including at-risk awards, subject to the terms and conditions determined by the Administrator.
Performance Goals
The Administrator may, in its discretion, make achievement of performance goals a condition of the vesting or settlement of any award granted under the 2025 Plan.
Performance goals may vary from participant to participant and from award to award. The Administrator may determine whether goals are measured on an absolute basis or relative to peer group performance, against internal goals, on a per-share or per-capita basis, and/or on a pre-tax or after-tax basis. Goals may be based on GAAP measures, the Company’s financial statements, or another methodology determined by the Administrator.
The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, adjust any performance goals to reflect significant events or unusual or nonrecurring items. The Administrator may also reduce or waive the performance criteria or accelerate the
15
vesting or settlement of any performance-based award as it deems appropriate. However, no performance-based award will vest unless the performance goals (as adjusted, if applicable) are achieved, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator.
Transferability of Awards
Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, awards granted under the 2025 Plan may not be sold, pledged, assigned, transferred, or otherwise disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. During the lifetime of the participant, only the participant may exercise an award. The Administrator may permit transfer of an award (other than an incentive stock option) to a permitted transferee as provided in the 2025 Plan and applicable award agreement, subject to any conditions the Administrator may impose.
Change in Control
In the event of a merger or a “change in control” (as defined in the 2025 Plan), the Administrator will have authority to determine the treatment of outstanding awards, including, without limitation, vesting and acceleration, or that awards be assumed or substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation. The Administrator has full discretion in these matters and will not be required to treat all outstanding awards similarly.
Forfeiture of Awards
Awards under the 2025 Plan may be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment upon specified events, including but not limited to: fraud; material misstatement of financial results; violation of the Company’s code of conduct; termination for cause; or other conduct detrimental to the Company’s business or reputation. In addition, awards will be subject to clawback or recoupment to the extent required under applicable law or any policy adopted by the Company.
Duration, Amendment and Termination
The 2025 Plan will automatically terminate ten years from the date of its adoption by the Board of Directors, unless terminated at an earlier time by the Administrator. No termination or amendment may materially impair the rights of any participant unless mutually agreed otherwise between the participant and the Administrator.
Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following paragraphs summarize certain U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. taxpayers and the Company related to awards granted under the 2025 Plan. This summary is based on current law and is not intended to cover all tax consequences that may apply to a particular participant or to the Company. It does not address state, local, or non-U.S. tax considerations.
Incentive Stock Options
A participant will generally not recognize taxable income on the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option qualifying under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), except that the alternative minimum tax may apply. If the participant sells the shares acquired more than two years after the grant date and more than one year after the exercise date, the gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss. If the holding periods are not met, the participant generally will recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between the exercise price and the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise or (ii) the sale price of the shares.
Nonstatutory Stock Options
A participant will generally not recognize income on the grant of a nonstatutory stock option with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying shares on the grant date. Upon exercise, the participant generally will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price. Upon later sale of the shares, the participant generally will recognize capital gain or loss.
Stock Appreciation Rights
A participant generally will not recognize income on the grant of a stock appreciation right with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. Upon exercise, the participant will generally
16
recognize ordinary income equal to the value of any cash or shares received. Capital gain or loss may be recognized upon the subsequent disposition of any shares received.
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, and Other Stock-based Awards
A participant generally will not recognize income at the time of grant of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, or similar stock-based awards. Instead, the participant will recognize ordinary income when the shares or units are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. However, a participant receiving restricted stock may elect to be taxed at grant by filing a Section 83(b) election. Any subsequent appreciation or depreciation in value will be treated as capital gain or loss upon sale of the shares.
Section 409A
Certain awards under the 2025 Plan may be subject to the nonqualified deferred compensation rules under Section 409A of the Code. If these requirements are not met, affected participants may be subject to immediate taxation, an additional 20% federal tax, and interest. The Company intends for all awards under the 2025 Plan either to be exempt from or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.
Tax Effect for the Company
The Company generally will be entitled to a federal income tax deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by a participant at the time such income is recognized. The deduction may be limited by Section 162(m) of the Code, which disallows a deduction for compensation in excess of $1 million paid to certain covered employees, including the Company’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and the three other most highly compensated executive officers.
Awards Granted to Employees and Directors
The number of awards that an employee, director or consultant may receive under the 2025 Plan is in the discretion of the Administrator and therefore cannot be determined in advance. Our executive officers and non-employee directors have an interest in this proposal because they are eligible to receive awards under the 2025 Plan. The following table sets forth (i) the aggregate number of shares of our common stock subject to restricted stock awards granted under the 2015 Plan during the last fiscal year to each of our Named Executive Officers, our executive officers, as a group, our directors who are not executive officers, as a group, and all employees who are not executive officers, as a group, and (ii) the dollar value of such restricted stock awards granted.
|
Name of Individual or Group and Principal Position |
Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Granted (1) |
|
Value of Shares of Restricted Stock Granted ($) (1) (2) |
Number of Shares of Performance-Based Restricted Stock (3) |
|
Value of Shares of Performance-Based Restricted Stock ($) (2) (3) |
|
Morris S. Young |
173,590 |
$ |
404,029 |
111,795 |
$ |
229,180 |
|
Gary L. Fischer |
69,454 |
$ |
166,538 |
38,800 |
$ |
79,540 |
|
All executive officers, as a group |
243,044 |
$ |
570,567 |
150,595 |
$ |
308,720 |
|
Jesse Chen |
23,323 |
$ |
80,000 |
— |
$ |
— |
|
David C. Chang |
23,323 |
$ |
80,000 |
— |
$ |
— |
|
Christine Russell |
23,323 |
$ |
80,000 |
— |
$ |
— |
|
All directors who are not executive officers, as a group |
69,969 |
$ |
240,000 |
— |
$ |
— |
|
All employees who are not executive officers, as a group |
497,756 |
$ |
1,131,994 |
— |
$ |
— |
(1) Excludes performance-based restricted stock granted during the last fiscal year.
(2) The value of a restricted stock award is based on the aggregate grant date fair value as of the grant date of such award determined pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718. See Notes 10 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements contained in our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 14, 2025, for a discussion of all assumptions made by us in determining the aggregate grant
17
date fair value of equity awards.
(3) Represents number of shares of performance-based restricted stock granted during the last fiscal year, assuming achievement of the applicable performance goals at 100% of the target levels. The maximum number of shares of restricted stock that may vest pursuant to such awards is 200% of the target number of shares subject to the awards.
Required Vote and Board of Directors Recommendation
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting, at which a quorum is present, either in person or by proxy, is required to approve the 2025 Plan. If stockholder approval is not obtained, then the 2025 Plan will not be implemented and no awards will be granted under it. In that event, since the Prior Plan expired on April 1, 2025, the Company will not have an active equity incentive plan under which new awards may be granted and may need to rely solely on cash-based compensation alternatives to attract and retain personnel.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan .
18
PROPOSAL NO. 4
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee of the Board has selected BPM LLP (“BPM”) as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. BPM has acted in such capacity since its appointment in fiscal 2004. A representative of BPM is expected to be present at the annual meeting, with the opportunity to make a statement if the representative desires to do so, and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to us for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 by BPM:
|
|
|
Fiscal 2024 |
|
Fiscal 2023 |
|
||
|
Audit Fees (1) |
|
$ |
1,070,263 |
|
$ |
1,163,746 |
|
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
Tax Fees (2) |
|
$ |
190,123 |
|
$ |
164,995 |
|
|
All Other Fees |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
Total Fees |
|
$ |
1,260,386 |
|
$ |
1,328,741 |
|
| (1) | Audit fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, review of our quarterly condensed consolidated financial statements and services that are normally provided by BPM in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. |
| (2) | Tax fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with federal and state tax return review, amendment and preparation. |
Review of Auditor Independence
The Audit Committee has determined that none of the services rendered by BPM is incompatible with maintaining BPM’s independence as our independent registered public accounting firm.
Pre-approval of Audit Fees
The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services, transfer pricing analysis and other services. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year, and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The Audit Committee meets at least quarterly with our management and representatives of our independent registered public accounting firm to, among other things, review the results of the annual audit and quarterly reviews and discuss the consolidated financial statements, review the adequacy of accounting and financial controls, review our critical accounting policies, and review and approve any related party transactions. The Audit Committee meets separately, at least once each quarter, with the independent registered public accounting firm. We maintain procedures for the receipt, retention, and handling of complaints, including complaints made anonymously, which the Audit Committee oversees.
All services provided by BPM for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, none of the total hours expended on the Company’s financial audit by BPM were provided by persons other than BPM’s full-time permanent employees.
Vote Required and Board of Directors Recommendation
Although ratification by stockholders is not required by law, the Board has determined that it is desirable to request approval of this selection by the stockholders. Notwithstanding its selection, the Board, in its discretion, may appoint a new independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Board believes that such a change would be in our best interests and those of our stockholders. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of BPM the Board may reconsider its selection.
19
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of our common stock cast affirmatively or negatively at the annual meeting of stockholders, at which a quorum is present, will be required to ratify the appointment of BPM as our independent registered public accounting firm. Abstentions have no effect on the vote.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of BPM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.
20
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The information contained in this report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that AXT specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act.
The Audit Committee oversees our financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the consolidated financial statements and the reporting process, including internal control systems. BPM, our independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for expressing an opinion as to the conformity of our audited consolidated financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Audit Committee has met with BPM, with and without management present, to discuss the overall scope of BPM’s audit, the results of its examinations and the overall quality of our financial reporting.
The Audit Committee currently consists of three directors, each of whom, in the judgment of the Board, is an “independent director” as defined in the listing standards for The Nasdaq Stock Market. The Audit Committee acts pursuant to a written charter that has been adopted by the Board. A copy of this charter is posted under the “Investors” section on our website at www.axt.com .
We have an internal audit function that reports directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee reviews and approves the internal audit plan once a year and receives periodic updates of internal audit activity in meetings held at least quarterly throughout the year. Updates include discussion of audit project results, quarterly assessment of internal controls and risks of fraud.
The Audit Committee has discussed and reviewed the audited consolidated financial statements with management, and has discussed and reviewed with our independent registered public accounting firm all matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”).
The Audit Committee has received from BPM the written disclosures and letter required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm any relationships that may impact their objectivity and independence, and satisfied itself as to the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that our audited consolidated financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
|
|
AUDIT COMMITTEE |
|
|
|
|
|
Christine Russell, Chair |
|
|
David C. Chang |
|
|
Jesse Chen |
21
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following sets forth information regarding our current non-director executive officers.
Gary L. Fischer was appointed as our Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary in August 2014. From June 2014 to August 2014, Mr. Fischer served as a financial consultant to the Company. Prior to serving as a financial consultant to the Company, Mr. Fischer served as a consultant to eRide, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company that develops both GPS devices and software for location-based services, since 2009. Prior to that position, Mr. Fischer served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of eRide from 2005 until 2009, when eRide was acquired. From 1993 to 2005, Mr. Fischer held various positions at Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc., a leader in advanced memory solutions, most recently as President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Fischer has a B.A. degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University.
Information regarding Dr. Morris S. Young, our Chief Executive Officer, is set forth under Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors.
22
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED INFORMATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The following compensation discussion and analysis provides information related to the Company’s executive compensation program for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, with respect to our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”), who were:
| ● | Morris S. Young, Chief Executive Officer |
| ● | Gary L. Fischer, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary |
Executive Summary
AXT is a materials science company that develops and produces high-performance compound and single element semiconductor substrates, also known as wafers. Our substrate wafers are used when a typical silicon substrate wafer cannot meet the performance requirements of a semiconductor or optoelectronic device. Two of our consolidated subsidiaries produce and sell certain raw materials some of which are used in our substrate manufacturing process and some of which are sold to other companies.
Performance Highlights 2024:
The Board of Directors focuses on performance and achievements. Some of the highlights in 2024 include:
| ● | Revenue increased year on year by 31%, from $75.6 million to $99.4 million; |
| ● | Gross margin improved from 17.6 % in 2023 to 24.0% in 2024; |
| ● | Reduced capital expenditures by 68%, from $18.0 million in 2023 to $5.8 million in 2024; |
| ● | Advanced the technical specifications of our substrates, particularly in EPD; |
| ● | We expanded our portfolio of raw materials companies enhancing a valuable supply chain; |
| ● | We made good progress on developing 6-inch indium phosphide; |
| ● | We received several separate grants from various government agencies in China recognizing our high-tech capabilities and good citizenship in each locale; |
| ● | Implemented new administrative processes to comply with applying for export permits of our wafer substrates from China; |
| ● | Delivered indium phosphide wafer substrates into higher speed data transfer applications; and |
| ● | Began to penetrate the power amplifier socket in cell phones with our gallium arsenide wafer substrates. |
Compensation Summary 2024:
| ● | The Board of Directors continued to link 50% of the annual equity award to a defined financial metric for the coming year and continued to also require four years to fully vest. The “At-Risk” portion of the shares for 2024 were earned because the financial metric relating to our annual revenue for 2024 was achieved and exceeded; |
| ● | No salary increase for either of the Named Executive Officers; and |
| ● | Three of the four quarterly cash bonuses were converted to four-year vesting Restricted Stock Awards. |
23
Features of Executive Compensation Program
The Board of Directors establishes non-equity incentive performance targets as well as equity incentive performance targets. Non-equity incentive performance targets are measured against specific financial metrics as well as strategic programs such as strategic planning, business development, market penetration, manufacturing execution and efficiency among other targets. Our executive compensation program includes the following features designed to focus on pay for performance and stockholder value while more closely aligning the interests of our Named Executive Officers with those of our stockholders:
| ● | Pay for Performance . We link pay and performance by establishing corporate financial performance metrics under our Executive Incentive Plan and grant a substantial portion of pay in the form of equity awards that vest over multiple years; |
| ● | No Guaranteed Bonuses . We did not provide any guaranteed bonuses to our executive officers for fiscal 2024; |
| ● | Compensation Consultant . The Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) seeks input from Compensia, an independent compensation consultant retained directly by the Committee in connection with its oversight of the executive compensation program; |
| ● | Target the 50 th percentile. We target compensation to match the 50 th percentile of our peer group compensation notwithstanding the deep industry experience of management; |
| ● | Annual Say on Pay . We conduct annual “say-on-pay” advisory votes; |
| ● | No 280G Tax Gross-ups . We do not provide for any golden parachute tax gross-ups; |
| ● | No Option Repricings . No option repricings are permitted under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan; |
| ● | No Excessive Executive Perquisites . Our executive officers generally receive only the same benefits and perquisites made available to all of our employees; |
| ● | No Hedging or Pledging. We prohibit our executive officers from pledging or hedging of our common stock; and |
| ● | Clawback. We maintain a clawback policy with respect to incentive compensation as described below in “Forfeiture of Awards”. |
Overview of Executive Compensation Program and Philosophy
Our philosophy with respect to our executive compensation program is to provide a total compensation package to our executive team that is competitive with the prevailing practices for our industry and markets. We also believe that there should be a strong link between pay and performance, both at the Company level and the individual level. Although we believe that exceptional individual performance should be rewarded, we believe that such rewards should not be awarded unless there has been strong Company performance together with the strong individual performance.
Our executive compensation program is intended to attract, motivate and retain the key employees necessary to support our operations and our strategic growth and create value for our stockholders. To meet these objectives, we have adopted the following overarching policies:
| ● | Pay total compensation that is competitive with the prevailing practices of other companies of similar size and in similar industries. We rely on a compensation consultant and generally target the 50 th percentile of our peer group for salary, target cash bonus opportunity, and long-term equity incentive compensation; |
| ● | Use total cash compensation (salary plus annual cash bonus, payable quarterly) to recognize appropriately each individual officer’s scope of responsibility, role in the organization, experience and contributions; |
24
| ● | Reward performance by: |
| ● | providing short-term bonus compensation by establishing a bonus plan to reward achievement at specified levels of Company financial and individual officer performance, with a significant portion of each officer’s goals tied to key financial measures, including Company-specific measures comprising achievement of targeted revenue, gross profit, operating expense, and net income levels, all being line items upon which executive officer performance can have a significant impact and that are linked to beneficial financial performance improvement and, therefore, value to our stockholders. In addition, a portion of each officer’s performance goals is related to individual metrics as determined by the Board of Directors; and |
| ● | providing long-term incentives in the form of restricted stock awards, in order to retain those individuals with the leadership and management abilities necessary for increasing long-term stockholder value while more closely aligning the interests of our officers with those of our stockholders. In 2024, we continued our practice of granting 50% of the annual award of long-term incentives to achievement of a specific financial performance metric for the coming year, but still requiring four-year vesting. |
On May 16, 2024, we held a non-binding, stockholder advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, commonly referred to as a say-on-pay vote. Our stockholders approved the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, with 92.5% of the votes cast in favor of our say-on-pay resolution. As we evaluated our compensation program throughout fiscal 2024, we were mindful of the strong support our stockholders expressed for our philosophy of linking compensation to performance. For fiscal 2024, our Committee retained our general approach to executive compensation. This included a continued emphasis on pay for performance through the use of cash bonus and performance-based restricted stock awards that reward our Named Executive Officers for achievement of the applicable performance goals.
Components of Our Executive Compensation Program
There are five major elements that comprise our executive officer compensation program: (i) base salary; (ii) annual cash bonus, payable quarterly and based on performance; (iii) long-term incentives, such as restricted stock awards; (iv) retirement benefits provided under a 401(k) plan; and (v) perquisites and benefit programs that are generally available to all of our employees. We have selected these elements because each is considered useful and/or necessary to meet one or more of the principal objectives of our compensation policies. Base salary is set with the goal of adequately compensating employees on a day-to-day basis for the time spent and the services they perform. Bonus target percentages are set with the goal of rewarding employees for performance at specified levels of Company financial and individual officer achievement. Both salary and bonus target percentages are also set at levels intended to attract and retain employees. Our restricted stock awards are intended to provide an incentive and reward for the achievement of long-term business objectives, including achievement of our financial goals, our growth, business development, market penetration, product development, upgrades to manufacturing, retaining key employees and more. We believe that these elements of compensation, when combined, are effective, and will continue to be effective, in achieving the objectives of our executive compensation program.
Oversight of Executive Compensation and Role of the Board, the Committee, and Management
Our executive compensation program is overseen and administered by the Committee, which is comprised entirely of independent directors as determined in accordance with various Nasdaq and SEC rules. The Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board. A copy of the charter is available under the “Investors” section on our website at www.axt.com .
The Committee meets regularly with our Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Young, to obtain recommendations with respect to Company compensation programs, practices and packages for executives. Dr. Young made recommendations to the Committee on the base salary, bonus targets and equity compensation for the other member of the executive team for fiscal 2024 compensation. The Committee considers, but is not bound by and does not always accept, Dr. Young’s recommendations with respect to executive compensation. For fiscal 2024 executive compensation, the Committee considered the recommendations and Dr. Young’s views on what would motivate his team financially, both in terms of long-term and short-term compensation and approved compensation changes for the Named Executive Officers
25
generally in line with his recommendations based on market information provided by Compensia, an independent compensation consulting firm, retained by the Committee.
Dr. Young attended most of the Committee’s meetings, but the Committee also regularly held executive sessions not attended by any members of management or Dr. Young, a non-independent director. The Committee discussed Dr. Young’s compensation package with him, but made decisions with respect to Dr. Young’s compensation without him present. From time to time the Committee recommends to the Board changes to Dr. Young’s compensation and the independent members of the Board must approve such changes. The Committee has not delegated any of its authority with respect to the compensation of executive officers.
The practices and policies followed by our Committee in setting executive officer compensation, include the assessment of the appropriate allocation between current base salary compensation, short-term cash bonus compensation, and long-term equity-based compensation. Other considerations include our business objectives, competitive practices and trends, and regulatory requirements. The Committee reviews the executive compensation program applicable to executive officers on at least an annual basis, other than retirement and other generally available benefits, which are reviewed from time to time to ensure that benefit levels remain competitive, but are not included in the annual determination of an executive’s compensation package. In setting compensation levels for a particular executive, the Committee takes into consideration the proposed compensation package as a whole including the proposed performance targets as well as market information (as described further below), the executive’s past and expected future contributions to our business, internal equity, and certain other factors the Committee deems relevant.
Role of Compensation Consultant
The Committee has the authority to engage its own independent advisors to assist in carrying out its responsibilities. For a number of years, including 2023 and 2024, the Committee retained Compensia to review our executive compensation practices. Compensia advises the Committee on the principal aspects of executive compensation, including base salaries, bonuses and long-term equity incentives, as well as target total, direct compensation (which consists of salary, target bonus and long-term equity incentives). Compensia also reported on its evaluation of the competitiveness of our executive officer compensation program as compared to peer companies. Compensia provided market information about the competitive framework for executive pay and performance-based incentives. Consistent with the Company’s compensation philosophy, the Committee generally targets the 50 th percentile of the peer group determined by Compensia for each key element of compensation, other than our 401(k) plan and perquisites and benefit programs.
In 2023 and 2024, representatives of Compensia communicated with the chair of the Committee outside of meetings with the Committee. Compensia reports to the Committee and did not perform services for the Company other than for the Committee. Based on the consideration of the various factors as set forth in the rules of Nasdaq, the Committee does not believe that its relationship with Compensia and the work of Compensia on behalf of the Committee have raised any conflicts of interest.
Peer Group
In order to determine each officer’s target total cash compensation (salary and bonuses) in effect at the beginning of fiscal 2024, the Committee reviewed compensation information from a peer group of 16 companies identified by Compensia in August 2023 and reviewed by the Committee, with input from our management. Each company within the peer group is a publicly traded high-technology company. However, given the fact that no U.S. public companies directly compete with AXT, the peer group was composed largely of semiconductor companies, including semiconductor companies that use non-silicon wafer substrates. The peer group consisted of companies that are generally considered “small-cap” companies and included companies with market capitalizations and annual revenues both greater than and less than ours. All are companies in which we believe could compete with us for executive officer talent. The peer group upon which the Committee relied for decisions relating to executive compensation program consisted of the following companies:
Alpha Omega Semiconductor Limited
Amtech Systems, Inc.
Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.
Cambium Networks
26
CEVA, Inc.
EMCORE Corporation
FARO Technologies
GSI Technology, Inc.
Intevac, Inc.
Iteris
Kopin Corporation
PCTEL, Inc.
Pixelworks
Quantum
Turtle Beach
Vishay Precision Group
Data on the compensation practices of the above mentioned peer group was gathered by Compensia through publicly available information. The Committee relied upon Compensia to compare compensation levels of our executive officers against the levels for executive officers in applicable roles at the above peer group companies, generally to ensure that our executive compensation program remained competitive in the market for continuing to recruit, retain, and incentivize our executive officers and to reward them appropriately for performance achieved. The data was gathered by Compensia with respect to base salary, bonuses, target total cash compensation, long-term equity incentives, and target total direct compensation. The peer group data was not used for purposes of setting any generally available benefits, such as 401(k) plans or health care coverage.
Base Salary
The annual base salaries for our Named Executive Officers in effect during fiscal 2024 were as follows:
|
|
|
Base Salary |
|
|
|
Morris S. Young, Chief Executive Officer |
|
$ |
479,000 |
|
|
Gary L. Fischer, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary |
|
$ |
354,000 |
|
The Committee considered current peer group salary data that it received from Compensia in August of 2023. The data showed that both officers’ salary levels were below the 50th percentile of the peer group. However, there were no base salary adjustments for fiscal 2024 for Dr. Young nor Mr. Fischer because of the semiconductor cyclical downturn. The last salary increase occurred on November 1, 2021, when Dr. Young’s salary was increased to $479,000 and Mr. Fischer’s salary was increased to $354,000.
Executive Incentive Plan
The Executive Incentive Plan is an incentive bonus program for key executive officers that is intended to increase stockholder value and the success of the Company by motivating employees to perform to the best of their abilities and achieve the Company’s objectives. As in previous years, the Executive Incentive Plan for fiscal 2024 included performance metrics to reflect certain of the Company’s business objectives set forth in its operating plan for the fiscal year.
In determining the incentive opportunities for our officers under the Executive Incentive Plan, the Committee considered its philosophy to use total cash compensation (salary plus cash bonus) to recognize appropriately each individual officer’s scope of responsibility, role in the organization, experience and contributions. The Committee believes that the terms and target bonus opportunities of the Executive Incentive Plan are consistent with market information provided by Compensia which displays the 50 th percentile of the peer group as reviewed by the Committee in Q4 2023.
The Executive Incentive Plan is administered by the Committee, provided that the actual bonus payment for our Chief Executive Officer is subject to the approval of the Board. The Committee, in its sole discretion, selects the eligible employees who will be participants for any performance period. Participation in the Executive Incentive Plan is in the sole discretion of the Committee, on a performance period by performance period basis. Dr. Young also presents bonus amounts intended for other executives which are discussed by the Committee. For fiscal 2024, each of our Named Executive Officers participated in the Executive Incentive Plan.
27
Under the Executive Incentive Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, establishes a target award for each NEO, which may be a percentage of a participant’s annual base salary as of the beginning or end of the performance period, a fixed dollar amount, or such other amount based on such other formula as the Committee determines. Each performance period, the Committee, in its sole discretion, will establish a bonus pool, which pool may be established before, during or after the applicable performance period. Actual awards will be paid from the bonus pool. The Committee, in its sole discretion, determines the performance goals applicable to any target award. The performance goals are financial targets or other objective goals, but the Executive Incentive Plan also allows subjective criteria to be included. The Committee also has the discretion to increase, decrease or eliminate any award under the Executive Incentive Plan.
Each actual award, if any, is paid solely from the general assets of the Company. Payment of each actual award shall be made as soon as practicable after the end of the performance period to which the actual award relates and after the actual award is approved by the Committee, but generally not later than March 15 of the year immediately following completion of the performance period. Each actual award is paid in cash (or its equivalent) in a single lump sum.
In establishing the incentive bonus program for fiscal 2024 under the Executive Incentive Plan, the Committee set four quarterly performance periods, coinciding with the quarterly corporate objectives set forth in the Company’s annual operating plan for fiscal 2024 (the “Operating Plan”). The Committee determined that actual awards would be based upon achievement of corporate financial targets (the “Corporate Targets”) and individual performance. Achievement of the Corporate Targets represented 60% of the actual award, and individual performance represented 40% of the actual award.
The Operating Plan was approved by the Board to guide and drive the Company’s business for the fiscal year, developed with consideration for the markets in which the Company competes, and designed to result in improved business performance for the Company. Individual performance under the Executive Incentive Plan also was assessed by the Committee based on actual performance as compared to agreed upon performance targets and the Committee’s expectations that the individual will perform at high levels in his roles and responsibilities and make significant contributions individually in achieving the Operating Plan goals and objectives.
The Corporate Targets were comprised of the following four financial targets, determined on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) basis: (1) total revenue (“Total Revenue Target”), (2) gross profit (“Gross Profit Target”), (3) operating expense (“Operating Expense Target”) and (4) net income (“Net Income Target”). The actual quarterly Corporate Targets were set forth in the Operating Plan, and approved by the Board in February 2024. The Committee made no change to the structure and weighted components used in the previous year. The Corporate Targets were weighted 10% for each of the Total Revenue Target, Gross Profit Target and Operating Expense Target and 30% for the Net Income Target for a total of 60% of the target award. Individual performance targets are both objective, for example penetrating specific new accounts, proper supervision and development of key executives, proper corporate financial reporting and controls, corporate training sessions, progress on the possible IPO in China, and subjective such as corporate leadership, company culture and dedication.
The Committee approved threshold, target and maximum levels of performance that were required to be achieved with respect to the Corporate Targets for each of the four quarters in 2024 and their corresponding bonus payout eligibility levels, as follows:
28
Executive Incentive Plan Corporate Targets for 2024
|
Corporate Target |
|
Percentage of Achievement Required
|
|
Payout Upon Applicable Level of
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Net Income Target |
|
Below 70% 70% (threshold) 100% (target) 150% (maximum) |
|
0% 70% (threshold) 100% (target) 150% (maximum |
|
Each of: Total Revenue Target, Gross Profit Target and Operating Expense Target |
|
Below 90% 90% (threshold) 100% (target) 150% (maximum) |
|
0% 90% (threshold) 100% (target) 150% (maximum) |
For fiscal 2024, for each 1% increase in the performance of a Corporate Target over the threshold, the actual award increased by 1%, up to a maximum of 150%. The Net Income Target was required to be achieved at a minimum of 70% of the Operating Plan for threshold achievement, 100% of the Operating Plan for target achievement, and 150% or greater under the Operating Plan for maximum achievement. The applicable weighted portion of the target award payable for each fiscal quarter could vary from 70% at threshold achievement of the Net Income Target to 150% at maximum achievement of the Net Income Target, with target achievement of the Net Income Target resulting in 100% payout with respect to the portion of the target award attributable to the Net Income Target. Each of the Total Revenue Target, Gross Profit Target, and Operating Expense Target (each, an “Additional Target”) was required to be achieved at a minimum of 90% of the Operating Plan for threshold achievement, 100% of the Operating Plan for target achievement, and 150% or greater under the Operating Plan for maximum achievement. Based on actual performance, the applicable weighted portion of the target award payable for each fiscal quarter could vary from 90% at threshold achievement of the applicable Additional Target to 150% at maximum achievement of the applicable Additional Target, with target achievement of the applicable Additional Target resulting in 100% payout with respect to the portion of the target award attributable to that performance objective.
For fiscal 2024 the financial targets for revenue, gross profit, operating expense and net income were as follows:
|
(Plan in thousands) |
Year 2024 Operating Plan Key Metrics |
Total |
||||
|
|
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
2024 |
|
|
Revenue |
$18,128 |
$ 21,384 |
$ 22,372 |
$ 23,116 |
$ 85,000 |
|
|
Gross Profit |
1,940 |
2,736 |
3,435 |
4,173 |
12,284 |
|
|
Operating Expense |
9,088 |
9,493 |
9,687 |
9,955 |
38,223 |
|
|
Net Loss |
(6,078) |
(5,829) |
(5,420) |
(5,017) |
(22,344) |
|
The resulting achievement for the financial targets was as follows:
|
(Actual in thousands) |
Year 2024 Operating Plan Key Metrics Achievement |
Total |
||||
|
|
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
2024 |
|
|
Revenue |
$ 22,688 |
$ 27,923 |
$ 23,645 |
$ 25,105 |
$ 99,361 |
|
|
Gross Profit |
6,094 |
7,652 |
5,682 |
4,408 |
23,836 |
|
|
Operating Expense |
9,441 |
9,537 |
9,088 |
10,573 |
38,639 |
|
|
Net Loss |
(2,083) |
(1,516) |
(2,937) |
(5,088) |
(11,624) |
|
29
Individual performance was weighted at 40% of the target award and the individual portion of the award payable was capped at 150% of the individual target award. For fiscal 2024, the Committee made assessments regarding individual performance on a quarterly basis with the assistance of the CEO for the Named Executive Officer other than himself. The determination was based on actual performance as compared to agreed upon performance targets and the Committee’s general assessment of the named executive officer’s roles, responsibilities, and expected contributions individually in achieving the Operating Plan goals and objectives, for the applicable fiscal quarter.
The fiscal 2024 annualized target bonus opportunity, expressed in dollar amount as a percentage of the named executive officer’s base salary earned during fiscal 2024 is as set forth below. The target bonus for both Dr. Young and Mr. Fischer, as a percentage of salary , was approximately 8% below the peer group midpoint.
|
|
|
|
Target Bonus |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Opportunity |
|
Target Bonus Opportunity As |
|
|
|
Named Executive Officer |
|
|
Amount |
|
Percentage of Base Salary |
|
|
|
Morris S. Young |
|
|
$ |
479,000 |
|
100.0 |
% |
|
Gary L. Fischer |
|
|
$ |
212,400 |
|
60.0 |
% |
As displayed above, almost all of the financial metrics were met or exceeded in 2024. However, after consideration and discussion, the Committee and management agreed to forgo cash awards after the first quarter and convert the calculated cash bonus amounts for quarters 2, 3 and 4 into four-year vesting Restricted Stock Awards. The first section of the following chart shows the actual bonus paid out in cash in 2024. The second section of the chart shows the dollar value calculated of which only the First Fiscal Quarter was paid out in cash and the remaining three quarters were converted into Restricted Stock Awards.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual Cash Bonus |
|
|
|
|
First Fiscal |
|
Second Fiscal |
|
Third Fiscal |
|
Fourth Fiscal |
|
Total |
|
Target |
|
as Percent |
||||||
|
Named Executive Officer |
|
Quarter |
|
Quarter |
|
Quarter |
|
Quarter |
|
Paid in Cash |
|
Bonus |
|
of Target |
||||||
|
Morris S. Young |
|
$ |
140,000 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
$ |
140,000 |
|
$ |
479,000 |
|
29% |
|
Gary L. Fischer |
|
$ |
63,000 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
$ |
63,000 |
|
$ |
212,400 |
|
30% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual Calculated Bonus |
|
|
|
|
First Fiscal |
|
Second Fiscal |
|
Third Fiscal |
|
Fourth Fiscal |
|
Total |
|
Target |
|
as Percent |
||||||
|
Named Executive Officer |
|
Quarter |
|
Quarter |
|
Quarter |
|
Quarter |
|
Calculated |
|
Bonus |
|
of Target |
||||||
|
Morris S. Young |
|
$ |
140,000 |
|
$ |
123,357 |
|
$ |
54,217 |
|
$ |
71,850 |
|
$ |
389,424 |
|
$ |
479,000 |
|
81% |
|
Gary L. Fischer |
|
$ |
63,000 |
|
$ |
54,699 |
|
$ |
32,002 |
|
$ |
31,860 |
|
$ |
181,561 |
|
$ |
212,400 |
|
85% |
The Executive Incentive Plan reflects the challenges and difficulties in achieving goals and objectives set forth in the Operating Plan to drive the Company’s performance for the fiscal year. Achievement of either target or maximum payout requires significant efforts by the Named Executive Officers and very high levels of Company performance.
Determination of Target Bonus Amounts for Fiscal 2025
For fiscal 2025, the Committee selected Dr. Young and Mr. Fischer as the participants in the Executive Incentive Plan and divided the fiscal year into four quarterly performance periods. As previously described, achievement of the Corporate Targets represents 60% of the actual award, and achievement of the Individual Targets represents 40% of the actual award. Achievement of the Individual Targets, representing 40% of a participant’s target award, will be determined each quarter by the Committee, pursuant to objectives established by the Committee for each such participant. Each participant’s target award will be based on a percentage of such participant’s annual base salary at the beginning of each quarterly performance period. Due to the current uncertainty resulting from import tariffs in the United States and export permit requirements in China, the Committee has not finalized the Corporate Targets in the Operating Plan or the cash bonus targets for 2025.
As explained in the cash bonus portion of this report, after the first quarter no further cash bonuses were paid to the NEOs. Instead, the calculated cash bonuses were converted to four-year vesting Restricted Stock Awards. The conversion price per share was the average price over the recent 30-day closing price of AXTI stock. The conversion price for quarters 2, 3 and 4 were $3.10, $2.46 and $2.16, respectively. The following table shows the shares granted
30
instead of cash;
|
Amount of RSAs issued in lieu of cash: |
||||
|
Named Executive Officer |
Quarter 2 |
Quarter 3 |
Quarter 4 |
Total |
|
Morris S. Young |
39,792 |
22,003 |
33,264 |
95,059 |
|
Gary L. Fischer |
17,645 |
13,009 |
14,750 |
45,404 |
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Since 2020, we have provided long-term incentive compensation through grants of restricted stock awards that generally vest over four years. Our equity compensation program is intended to align the interests of our officers with those of our stockholders by creating an incentive for our officers to maximize stockholder value. The equity compensation program also is designed to encourage our officers to remain employed with us despite a very competitive labor market. The Committee believes that appropriate equity incentives are critical to attracting and retaining the best employees in the industry, and that stock awards can be an effective tool for meeting our compensation goal of increasing long-term stockholder value by tying the value of the stock awards to our performance in the future. Compensia provides data derived from our peer group of 16 companies and the Committee used this information in granting restricted stock awards and in determining restricted stock to be the type of award.
Typically, the Committee and Board provide an annual grant of restricted stock in Q4 of each year. The Board has determined that 50% of the annual award will vest based on achievement of a specific financial performance metric for the upcoming year, in addition to being subject to four-year time vesting. If at least a minimum threshold of the metric is not met, then all of the shares linked to such performance metric are forfeited. Reciprocally, if the threshold is exceeded, additional equity incentives will be earned, still subject to four-year vesting. Historically, we have had strong support from our stockholders regarding our philosophy of linking compensation to performance. We believe our equity incentive program is consistent with the Company’s performance-based pay philosophy and prevalent practices among our peer group.
The number of shares of our common stock subject to stock awards the Company grants to each executive officer generally is based initially on a specified award value that the Committee considers when reviewing market data provided by Compensia. Accordingly, the actual number of shares underlying the stock award may vary depending on fluctuations in stock price. The size of the stock awards and the vesting schedule for each grant are determined based on a variety of factors, including the Committee’s goal to increase the proportion of compensation awarded to executive officers as long-term incentive compensation. For fiscal 2024, in determining the stock awards to be granted to our Named Executive Officers, the Committee considered in particular Company and individual performance, and was assisted by the peer group information provided by Compensia to review the award value and appropriateness of the awards based on market practices. Consistent with our award granting practices in fiscal 2024, we granted stock awards in the form of restricted stock to our Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2025. The Company has not granted stock options since 2019 and did not grant stock options to any employees in 2024.
On November 8, 2023 the Committee and the Board determined the number of restricted stock awards to be granted for 2024 and 50% of the award was granted on November 10, 2023. The remaining 50% would be performance-based. On February 20, 2024, the Committee and the Board approved the issuance of the target performance-based restricted stock as previously determined with a grant date of February 23, 2024. The financial metric identified was fiscal 2024 total Company revenue, determined in accordance with GAAP, of $85,000,000 (at target achievement). If
31
less revenue or more revenue is achieved, then less or more shares would be earned. The following table shows the targeted range of revenue for fiscal 2024:
|
|
||
|---|---|---|
|
If the following revenue growth rate is achieved for
|
|
…then the percentage of the performance-based restricted stock that will be earned is: |
|
≤$72,250,000 |
|
0% |
|
$74,800,000 |
|
20% |
|
$77,350,000 |
|
40% |
|
$79,900,000 |
|
60% |
|
$82,450,000 |
|
80% |
|
$85,000,000 |
|
100% |
|
$87,550,000 |
|
120% |
|
$90,100,000 |
|
140% |
|
$92,650,000 |
|
160% |
|
$95,200,000 |
|
180% |
|
≥$97,750,000 |
|
200% |
The following table shows the performance-based restricted stock awards, target and maximum, available to Dr. Young and Mr. Fischer and represent the second 50% of the awards previously determined for fiscal 2024.
|
Named Executive Officer |
|
Target Number of Shares
|
|
Maximum Number of Shares
|
|
Morris S. Young |
|
111,795 |
|
223,590 |
|
Gary L. Fischer |
|
38,800 |
|
77,600 |
Based on review of the peer group data in Q4 2023, the Committee determined that the long-term equity incentive awards for both Dr. Young and Mr. Fischer (based on the target level with respect to the performance-based stock awards) granted in the fourth quarter of 2023 and first quarter of 2024 together approximated the 50 th percentile of the peer group.
On February 18, 2025, the Committee met and certified that the annual revenue achieved for fiscal 2024, was $99.4 million thus exceeding the maximum required to achieve 200% of the targeted performance-based restricted stock awards..
The evaluation process was repeated in the fall of 2024, looking ahead to the year 2025. Using the data provided by Compensia that was based on our peer group as described above, on November 11, 2024, the Committee and the Board determined the full amount of the restricted stock award to be granted to each Named Executive Officer and the Committee and the Board approved the issuance of 50% of that amount with a grant date of November 11, 2024. Approval for the remaining 50% (the performance-based award) was expected in Q1 2025.
32
The following table shows the equity awards granted to Dr. Young and Mr. Fischer with a grant date of November 11, 2024 and represent 50% of the total awards to be awarded. The shares awarded with a grant date of November 11, 2024 are time-vested, vesting annually over four years subject to continued service:
|
|
|
Restricted Stock Awards |
|
Named Executive Officer |
|
Granted November 10, 2023 |
|
Morris S. Young |
|
111,795 |
|
Gary L. Fischer |
|
38,800 |
The following table shows the performance-based equity awards granted to Dr. Young and Mr. Fischer with a grant date of February 18, 2025 and represent the target and maximum amount for the second 50% of the awards determined by the Committee and the Board on November 11, 2024 for fiscal 2025. If the target financial metric is exceeded, additional shares are earned on a linear basis and the maximum additional shares earned is capped at 100% of the target. If the minimum financial metric is not achieved, then these awards are forfeited based upon the pre-determined revenue metric for the year ending December 31, 2024:
|
Named Executive Officer |
|
Target Number of Shares
Equity Award Determined November 11, 2024 |
|
Maximum Number of Shares Subject to the Performance-Based Equity Award |
|
Morris S. Young |
|
111,795 |
|
223,590 |
|
Gary L. Fischer |
|
38,800 |
|
77,600 |
On some occasions, the Committee and Board may elect to award a special grant in recognition of meritorious efforts and achievements. In fiscal 2024, no special grants were awarded.
The Committee typically grants any equity awards to executive officers at its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings. All grants of restricted stock awards or other equity awards to newly hired employees are also made by the Committee at scheduled meetings, unless the Board or the Committee determines that unusual circumstances, such as in the case of retention of an executive officer, directors or other employees, call for consideration of the grant of awards other than at a regular quarterly meeting, in which case consideration of and action with respect to such awards may take place at a special meeting and not by unanimous written consent. In addition, grants for a new employee may sometimes be approved at a special meeting.
Retirement Benefits under the 401(k) Plan, Executive Perquisites and Generally Available Benefit Programs
We do not maintain a deferred compensation plan, other than our AXT, Inc. Employee Savings and Retirement Plan (the “401(k) Plan”). The 401(k) Plan is available to all full-time U.S. based employees, including the Named Executive Officers. Under the 401(k) Plan, participating employees are eligible to receive matching contributions from us that are subject to certain vesting requirements based on service with us. We do not provide defined benefit pension plans or defined contribution retirement plans to our executives or other employees other than the 401(k) Plan.
We also offer a number of other benefits to our U.S. based employees, including the Named Executive Officers, pursuant to benefit programs that provide for broad-based employee participation. These benefit programs include medical, dental and vision insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, wellness programs, relocation/extended travel programs and services, educational assistance and certain other benefits.
The 401(k) Plan and other generally available benefit programs allow us to remain competitive for key employees, and we believe that the availability of the benefit programs generally enhances employee productivity and loyalty. The main objectives of our benefit programs are to give our employees access to quality healthcare, assistance in achieving retirement financial goals and enhanced health and productivity. These generally available benefits typically
33
do not specifically factor into decisions regarding an individual executive’s total cash compensation or equity award package.
Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policies
Our Insider Trading Policy restricts the trading of the Company’s stock by our directors, executive officers and all other employees and includes rules regarding trading on insider information, trading windows, trading under a 10b5- 1 plan and blackout periods as declared by us. Hedging transactions, such as zero-cost collars, forward sale contracts, puts, calls or other derivative securities involving the Company’s stock on an exchange or in any other organized market, are prohibited. Short sales, margin accounts and pledges are also prohibited.
Forfeiture of Awards
We adopted a clawback policy, effective as of November 8, 2023, that complies with the new SEC rules under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
Under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, we may specify in an agreement governing the terms of an award granted under such plan to a participant, including awards granted to our executive officers, that the participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to the award will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of the award. Such events may include, but will not be limited to, fraud, breach of a fiduciary duty, restatement of financial statements as a result of fraud or willful errors or omissions, termination of employment for cause, violation of material Company, affiliate and/or subsidiary policies, breach of non-competition, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the participant, or other conduct by the participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company, its affiliates and/or its subsidiaries. We also may require the application of such forfeiture provision with respect to any award previously granted to a participant (“clawback”) even without any specified terms being included in any applicable award agreement to the extent required under applicable laws, such as pursuant to our clawback policy adopted in 2023, as described above.
Change in Control and Severance Benefits
Employment of each of our Named Executive Officers is on an “at-will” basis. We previously entered into employment agreements with Dr. Young and Mr. Fischer pursuant to which they may become entitled to certain compensation and other benefits in connection with certain terminations of employment, including in connection with a change in control of the Company. The Board and Committee believe that these payments and benefits are important in encouraging our executive management team’s continued attention, dedication and continuity with respect to their roles and responsibilities without the distraction that may arise from the possibility of a change in control of the Company or termination by the Company, and that these payments and benefits provide incentive for the executives to continue employment with the Company. The Committee believes that these severance arrangements are competitive relative to the severance arrangements of similarly situated individuals at peer group companies, as periodically reviewed by the Committee with the assistance of Compensia.
Accounting and Tax Considerations
In designing our compensation programs, we take into consideration the accounting and tax effect that each element will or may have on us and the executive officers and other employees as a group. We account for stock awards in accordance with the requirements of Financial Accounting Standard Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718. We have not provided any executive officer or director with a gross-up or other reimbursement for tax amounts the executive might pay in relation to Sections 280G and 4999 or Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. Section 280G and related Internal Revenue Code sections provide that executive officers, directors who hold significant stockholder interests and certain other service providers could be subject to significant additional taxes if they receive payments or benefits in connection with a change of control that exceeds certain limits, and that we or our successor could lose a deduction on the amounts subject to the additional tax. Section 409A also imposes additional significant taxes in the event that an executive officer, director or service provider receives “deferred compensation” that does not meet the requirements of Section 409A. We structure our equity awards in a manner intended to comply with the applicable Section 409A requirements.
34
As a result of changes to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”), effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the exemption for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) has been repealed. Accordingly, compensation paid to our covered employees to whom Section 162(m) applies no longer will be deductible to us to the extent that their compensation individually exceeds $1 million, unless it qualifies for limited transition relief applicable to certain written arrangements in place as of November 2, 2017. Stock options granted under the 2015 Plan and certain stock options granted under our 2007 Plan to our Named Executive Officers prior to November 2, 2017, are intended to qualify under Section 162(m) as performance-based compensation. However, given various uncertainties relating to the transition relief under the TCJA, no assurances can be given as to whether the arrangements entered into before November 2, 2017, will qualify as “performance-based compensation” that would be exempt from the $1 million deductibility limit under Section 162(m).
Compensation Committee Report
The information contained in this report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that AXT specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
We, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of AXT, Inc., have reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this proxy statement with management. Based on such review and discussion, we have recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
|
|
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David C. Chang, Chair |
|
|
Jesse Chen |
|
|
Christine Russell |
|
|
|
35
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation earned during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2023, by our current Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer (together, the “Named Executive Officers”):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
Plan |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Awards |
|
Awards |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Total |
|
|||||||
|
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($)(1) |
|
($)(1) |
|
($)(2) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Morris S. Young |
|
2024 |
|
$ |
479,000 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
404,029 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
37,812 |
(3) |
$ |
920,841 |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
2023 |
|
$ |
479,000 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
221,354 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
37,812 |
(4) |
$ |
738,166 |
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
$ |
479,000 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
514,257 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
385,000 |
|
$ |
37,812 |
(5) |
$ |
1,416,069 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gary L. Fischer |
|
2024 |
|
$ |
354,000 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
166,538 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
24,862 |
(6) |
$ |
545,400 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
2023 |
|
$ |
354,000 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
76,824 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
24,862 |
(7) |
$ |
455,686 |
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
$ |
354,000 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
178,480 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
171,000 |
|
$ |
24,861 |
(8) |
$ |
728,341 |
|
| (1) | Valuation based on the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes pursuant to ASC Topic 718, Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the Named Executive Officer. Instead, the amounts shown are the value of stock awards calculated based on the grant date fair value as determined pursuant to ASC 718. |
| (2) | Amounts consist of bonuses earned for services rendered in fiscal years 2022 to 2024. Performance ‑ based bonuses are generally paid under our Executive Incentive Plan and reported as Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation. |
| (3) | Includes our matching contribution of $19,160 under the tax-qualified 401(k) Plan and our payment on behalf of Dr. Young of $18,652 in term life insurance premiums. |
| (4) | Includes our matching contribution of $19,160 under the tax-qualified 401(k) Plan and our payment on behalf of Dr. Young of $18,652 in term life insurance premiums. |
| (5) | Includes our matching contribution of $19,160 under the tax-qualified 401(k) Plan and our payment on behalf of Dr. Young of $18,652 in term life insurance premiums. |
| (6) | Includes our matching contribution of $14,160 under the tax-qualified 401(k) Plan, and our payment on behalf of Mr. Fischer of $10,702 in term life insurance premiums. |
| (7) | Includes our matching contribution of $14,160 under the tax-qualified 401(k) Plan, and our payment on behalf of Mr. Fischer of $10,702 in term life insurance premiums. |
| (8) | Includes our matching contribution of $14,160 under the tax-qualified 401(k) Plan, and our payment on behalf of Mr. Fischer of $10,701 in term life insurance premiums. |
36
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to restricted stock awards and other plan-based awards granted to our Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024:
2024 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS FROM THE 2015 PLAN
Threshold, Target and Maximum Available under Executive Incentive Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
Restricted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential 2024 Payouts Under |
|
Option: |
|
Stock Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Incentive Plan Awards |
|
Number of |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
Grant Date |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
But No Payouts Occurred in 2024 (1) |
|
Securities |
|
Shares of |
|
Base Price |
|
Fair Value of |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
Grant |
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
|
Underlying |
|
Stock or |
|
of Awards |
|
Stock Awards |
|
|||||
|
Name |
|
Date |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
Options (#) |
|
Units (#) |
|
($/Sh) |
|
($)(2) |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Morris S. Young |
|
08/20/24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
39,792 |
|
$ |
2.79 |
|
$ |
110,821 |
|
|
|
|
10/29/24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,003 |
|
|
2.91 |
|
|
64,029 |
|
|
|
|
11/11/24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111,795 |
|
|
2.05 |
|
|
229,180 |
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
$ |
43,110 |
|
$ |
479,000 |
|
$ |
718,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gary L. Fischer |
|
08/20/24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
17,645 |
|
$ |
2.79 |
|
$ |
49,141 |
|
|
|
|
10/29/24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,009 |
|
|
2.91 |
|
|
37,856 |
|
|
|
|
11/11/24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38,800 |
|
|
2.05 |
|
|
79,540 |
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
$ |
19,116 |
|
$ |
212,400 |
|
$ |
318,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (1) | We award bonuses pursuant to the Executive Incentive Plan, which provides for the award of annual cash bonuses based upon threshold, target and maximum payout amounts set by the Board at the beginning of each fiscal year. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Plan-Based Awards.” The actual amount paid to each named executive officer for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 was zero as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table under the heading, “Cash Bonus.” |
| (2) | The value of a stock award is based on the fair value as of the grant date of such award determined pursuant to ASC 718, excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions . In fiscal 2024, all equity awards were in the form of restricted stock. No options were awarded in fiscal 2024. |
37
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the value of all unexercised options previously awarded to our Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2024.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AS OF December 31, 2024
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Stock Awards |
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares or |
|
Shares or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Units of |
|
Units of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
Option |
|
Option |
|
Stock That |
|
Stock That |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
Options (#) |
|
Options (#) |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
|
Have Not |
|
Have Not |
|
||
|
Name |
|
Grant Date(1) |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Price ($) |
|
Date |
|
Vested(#) |
|
Vested($)(2) |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Morris S. Young |
|
10/28/2016 |
|
174,896 |
|
— |
|
$ |
5.21 |
|
10/28/26 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
10/27/2017 |
|
89,797 |
|
— |
|
$ |
9.50 |
|
10/27/27 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
11/05/2018 |
|
189,990 |
|
— |
|
$ |
5.77 |
|
11/05/28 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
11/6/2019 |
|
134,789 |
|
102,481 |
|
$ |
3.06 |
|
11/06/29 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
11/5/2020 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
18,855 |
|
$ |
40,915 |
|
|
|
|
2/19/2021 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
7,500 |
|
$ |
16,275 |
|
|
|
|
2/19/2021 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
28,282 |
|
$ |
61,372 |
|
|
|
|
11/10/2021 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
28,580 |
|
$ |
62,019 |
|
|
|
|
10/28/2022 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
83,846 |
|
$ |
181,946 |
|
|
|
|
11/10/2023 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
111,795 |
|
$ |
242,595 |
|
|
|
|
8/20/2024 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
39,792 |
|
$ |
86,349 |
|
|
|
|
10/29/2024 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
22,003 |
|
$ |
47,747 |
|
|
|
|
11/11/2024 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
111,795 |
|
$ |
242,595 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gary L. Fischer |
|
11/02/2015 |
|
10,280 |
|
— |
|
$ |
2.18 |
|
11/02/25 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
10/28/2016 |
|
65,685 |
|
— |
|
$ |
5.21 |
|
10/28/26 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
10/27/2017 |
|
34,203 |
|
— |
|
$ |
9.50 |
|
10/27/27 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
11/05/2018 |
|
55,500 |
|
— |
|
$ |
5.77 |
|
11/05/28 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
11/6/2019 |
|
71,256 |
|
21,184 |
|
$ |
3.06 |
|
11/06/29 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
11/5/2020 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
6,412 |
|
$ |
13,914 |
|
|
|
|
2/19/2021 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
4,000 |
|
$ |
8,680 |
|
|
|
|
2/19/2021 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
9,618 |
|
$ |
20,871 |
|
|
|
|
11/10/2021 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
8,024 |
|
$ |
17,412 |
|
|
|
|
11/10/2021 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
3,000 |
|
$ |
6,510 |
|
|
|
|
10/28/2022 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
29,100 |
|
$ |
63,147 |
|
|
|
|
11/10/2023 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
38,800 |
|
$ |
84,196 |
|
|
|
|
8/20/2024 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
17,645 |
|
$ |
38,290 |
|
|
|
|
10/29/2024 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
13,009 |
|
$ |
28,230 |
|
|
|
|
11/11/2024 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
38,800 |
|
$ |
84,196 |
|
| (1) | Except as otherwise noted, all option awards granted to Named Executive Officers vest at the rate of 1 / 4 of the underlying shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant and 1 / 48 of the shares each month thereafter. After four years, the shares become fully vested and exercisable. Restricted stock awards granted to Named Executive Officers vest over a four-year period, at a rate of 25% on each anniversary of the vesting commencement date. |
| (2) | The market value of the restricted stock awards that have not vested is calculated by multiplying the number of units that have not vested by the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2024, which was $2.17. |
38
Option Exercises and Stock Vested During Last Fiscal Year
The following table shows all stock options exercised and value realized upon exercise, and the number of shares acquired on vesting and the value realized on vesting by the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024:
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED FOR FISCAL 2024
|
|
|
Stock Options |
|
Restricted Stock |
|
||||||
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
Value Realized |
(1) |
Shares |
|
Value Realized |
(2) |
||
|
|
|
Acquired on |
|
on Exercise |
|
Acquired on |
|
on Vesting |
|
||
|
Name |
|
Exercise (#) |
|
($) |
|
Vesting (#) |
|
($) |
|
||
|
Morris S. Young |
|
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
121,075 |
|
$ |
271,437 |
|
|
Gary L. Fischer |
|
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
42,942 |
|
$ |
96,323 |
|
| (1) | Based on the difference between the market price of our common stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price. |
| (2) | Reflects the market price of our common stock on the vesting date. |
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Acceleration of Equity Awards
Stock option grants and restricted stock awards made to our Named Executive Officers and directors under our 2007 Plan provide that in the event of a “Change in Control,” as defined in the 2007 Plan, the vesting and exercisability of the option or restricted stock will accelerate such that the option will become immediately exercisable and vested in full and the restricted stock will be immediately vested in full as of the date of termination or resignation.
Under the 2015 Plan, in the event of a merger or a “change in control” (as defined in the 2015 Plan), the Administrator will have authority to determine the treatment of outstanding awards, including, without limitation, that awards be assumed or substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation. The Administrator will not be required to treat all outstanding awards similarly.
If the successor corporation does not assume or substitute outstanding awards, then options and stock appreciation rights will become fully vested and exercisable, all restrictions on restricted stock and restricted stock units will lapse, and, with respect to awards with performance-based vesting, unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, all performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an option or stock appreciation right is not assumed or substituted for in the event of a change in control, the Administrator will notify the participant that the option or stock appreciation right will be fully vested and exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and the option or stock appreciation right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.
If the successor corporation assumes or substitutes outstanding awards held by a non-employee director and the non-employee director’s status as a director of the Company or a director of the successor company terminates other than upon voluntary resignation by the non-employee director (unless such resignation is at the request of the acquirer), then his or her options and stock appreciation rights will fully vest and become immediately exercisable, all restrictions on restricted stock and restricted stock units held by such non-employee director will lapse, and all performance goals or other vesting requirements will be deemed achieved at 100% and all other terms and conditions met.
39
If we had been the subject of a change in control that resulted in the termination of employment or resignation for good reason of any of our executive officers or a merger or change in control in which the successor corporation did not assume or substitute outstanding awards as of December 31, 2024, the number of options to purchase our common stock and restricted shares held by each executive officer as indicated below would have accelerated and become immediately exercisable and vested in full as of such date. In addition, based on the difference between the weighted average exercise price of the options and $2.40, the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2024, the net value of these options and of unvested restricted shares would be as set forth below:
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options/Shares |
|
Value of Accelerated |
|
|
|
Name |
|
Accelerated |
|
Options/Shares(1) |
|
|
|
Morris S. Young |
|
443,168 |
|
$ |
961,675 |
|
|
Gary L. Fischer |
|
164,266 |
|
$ |
356,457 |
|
| (1) | Based on a common stock price of $2.17 per share, the closing price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on December 31, 2024, less the applicable exercise price for each in-the-money option for which vesting is accelerated. In this calculation, restricted stock awards are valued at $2.17. |
Young Employment Contract
On December 4, 2012, we entered into an amended and restated employment offer letter with Dr. Morris S. Young, our Chief Executive Officer. In the event that Dr. Young is terminated without cause, we shall pay Dr. Young an amount equal to twelve (12) months of his then current salary and reimbursement of twenty-four (24) months of health benefits.
Alternatively, if, after a Change of Control (as defined below), Dr. Young’s employment is terminated by us without cause or by Dr. Young as a result of a defined constructive termination, and provided that Dr. Young executes a general release of claims in a form acceptable to AXT or the acquiring company, Dr. Young will receive the following severance benefits: (a) continuing payment of his last base salary for eighteen (18) months after the date his employment terminates; (b) provided he timely elects to continue his health insurance benefits under the applicable COBRA laws, the Company will reimburse him for the premiums necessary to maintain his health insurance coverage for a period of twenty-four (24) months following termination of his employment; and (c) full vesting acceleration and exercisability of his outstanding equity awards.
Further, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in any plan or agreement evidencing the outstanding equity awards held by Dr. Young, in the event of a Change of Control in which the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the “Acquiror”), does not assume the Company’s rights and obligations under the then-outstanding portion of the equity awards held by Dr. Young or substitute for such portion of such equity awards substantially equivalent equity awards for the Acquiror’s stock, then the vesting and exercisability of such equity awards shall be accelerated in full effective as of the date ten (10) days prior to but conditioned upon the consummation of the Change of Control, provided that Dr. Young remains an employee or other service provider with the Company immediately prior to the Change of Control. Except as set forth above, the treatment of stock-based compensation upon the consummation of a Change of Control shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the plans or agreements providing for such awards or options.
For purposes of Dr. Young’s employment agreement, a “Change of Control” generally means a merger, consolidation, sale of substantially all assets of the Company or transfer of beneficial ownership (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company by 1 (one) or more shareholders of the Company, in which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, sale or transfer do not own at least 50% (fifty percent) of the combined voting power of the capital stock of the Company or surviving or successor corporation or entity immediately after such transaction.
In addition, in the event of a change in control, if Dr. Young’s employment is terminated or he resigns for “good reason” within twelve months after the change in control or a merger or change in control in which the successor corporation did not assume or substitute outstanding awards, then Dr. Young’s stock options will become immediately exercisable and vested as of the date of termination or resignation. See “Acceleration of Equity Awards” above.
40
If we had terminated Dr. Young’s employment without cause and not as a result of a Change of Control on December 31, 2024, the last business day of our fiscal 2024, Dr. Young would have received severance benefits under his employment agreement equal to (a) a payment of $479,000, equal to twelve (12) months of his current base salary, and (b) reimbursement of twenty-four (24) months of health benefits of $57,563.
Fischer Employment Contract
On August 11, 2014, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Gary L. Fischer, our Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In the event that Mr. Fischer is terminated without cause, we shall pay Mr. Fischer an amount limited to the payment of his salary and other earned compensation through the effective date of termination in addition to any severance to which he may be entitled under our severance pay plan or policy or may be granted by the Compensation Committee.
If a change in control of AXT takes place, and within twelve (12) months thereafter, Mr. Fischer incurs an involuntary separation from service, our total liability to Mr. Fischer will be limited to the payment of his salary and other earned compensation through the effective date of the involuntary separation from service plus severance in a gross amount equal to one (1) year of his then current annual salary, plus continuation of coverage in our group health plan for twelve months and acceleration of stock options and any other equity awards.
Release of Claims
As a condition to each executive’s entitlement to receive the base salary amounts and equity award acceleration referenced in the tables on page 27 and page 40, respectively, the executive is required to execute a release of claims against us, which may include a non-competition agreement, which prohibits the executive from working in our industry for a period equal to the greater of one year from the executive’s termination of employment, or, in the case of a change in control, two years from the date of the change in control.
Chief Executive Officer Pay Ratio
Under rules adopted pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, we are required to calculate and disclose the annual total compensation paid to our median paid employee, as well as the ratio of the annual total compensation paid to the median employee as compared to the annual total compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer. The paragraphs that follow describe our methodology and the resulting Chief Executive Officer pay ratio.
Measurement Date
We identified the median employee using our employee population, including the employees of our consolidated subsidiaries, on December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately 999 employees, which consisted of approximately 24 employees in our headquarters in Fremont, California, one sales professional in France, approximately 529 employees in our factory in Beijing and approximately 445 employees in our factories in Dingxing and Kazuo. In addition, our consolidated subsidiaries had, in total, approximately 457 employees. In aggregate, we and our subsidiaries had approximately 1,456 employees, of whom 1,044 were principally engaged in manufacturing, 177 in sales and administration and 235 in research and development. Of these 1,456 employees, 24 were located in the United States, one in France and 1,431 in China.
Compensation Measure
Under the relevant rules, we are required to identify the median employee by using annual total compensation or any other compensation measure that is consistently applied. We identified the median employee by analyzing annual base salaries and bonuses derived from our payroll systems and the payroll systems of our consolidated subsidiaries. We did not perform adjustments to the compensation paid to part-time employees to calculate what they would have been paid on a full-time basis.
Methodology and Pay Ratio
After applying our methodology, we identified the median employee. Once the median employee was identified, we calculated the median employee’s annual total compensation in accordance with the requirements of the
41
Summary Compensation Table.
Our median employee is located in China, and the annual total compensation as calculated using Summary Compensation Table requirements was $9,540. Our Chief Executive Officer’s annual total compensation as reported in the Summary Compensation Table was $920,841. Therefore, our Chief Executive Officer to median employee pay ratio is 96.5.
This information is being provided for compliance purposes. Neither the Compensation Committee nor our management used the pay ratio measure in making compensation decisions.
Pay Versus Performance
As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act and Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the below disclosure provides information regarding the relationship between executive “compensation actually paid” for our Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”) and other Named Executive Officer (“Non-PEO NEO”) and certain financial performance of the Company for the years shown.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of Initial Fixed $100 |
|
|
|
|
|
Summary |
|
|
|
Average Summary |
|
Average |
|
Investment Based on: |
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Total |
|
Net Income/ |
|
|
|
Table Total |
|
Actually |
|
Table Total for |
|
Actually Paid to |
|
Shareholder |
|
(Loss) |
|
Year |
|
for PEO (1) |
|
Paid PEO (2) |
|
Non-PEO NEO (1) |
|
Non-PEO NEO (2) |
|
Return (3) |
|
In ($000s) |
|
2024 |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
(
|
|
2023 |
$ |
|
$ |
(
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
(
|
|
2022 |
$ |
|
$ |
(
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
| (1) |
Our PEO for each of fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022 was
|
| (2) | The following table sets forth the amounts adjusted from the Summary Compensation table total to derive the Compensation Actually Paid for each fiscal year shown. |
| (3) | The amounts shown reflect the Company’s total shareholder return measured based on a fixed $100 investment made on December 31, 2020, the last trading day before the earliest fiscal year shown in the table. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Add |
Change in Yearend |
Change in Value |
Subtract Value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year-end Value |
Value of Awards |
through Vesting |
Awards Granted in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Awards Granted |
Granted in Prior |
of Awards Granted |
Prior Year that |
|
|
|
|
Summary |
|
in Fiscal Year |
Year Unvested as |
in Prior Year |
Failed to Meet |
|
|
|
|
Compensation |
Subtract |
Unvested at |
of Fiscal |
Vested During |
Vesting Conditions |
Compensation |
|
|
|
Table Total |
Stock Awards |
Fiscal Yearend |
Yearend |
Fiscal Year |
in Fiscal Year |
Actually Paid |
|
Year |
Executive |
($) |
($) |
($) |
($) |
($) |
($) |
($) |
|
2024 |
PEO |
|
(
|
|
(
|
(
|
— |
|
|
|
Non-PEO NEO |
|
(
|
|
(
|
(
|
— |
|
|
2023 |
PEO |
|
(
|
|
(
|
(
|
— |
(
|
|
|
Non-PEO NEO |
|
(
|
|
(
|
(
|
— |
|
|
2022 |
PEO |
|
(
|
|
(
|
(
|
— |
(
|
|
|
Non-PEO NEO |
|
(
|
|
(
|
(
|
— |
|
NOTE
: There were
42
Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and Performance Measures
The chart below highlights the alignment between “compensation actually paid” to our Named Executive Officers and our total shareholder return performance for the past three fiscal years.
The chart below highlights the alignment between “compensation actually paid” to our Named Executive Officers and our net income performance for the past three fiscal years.
43
Compensation of Directors
Directors who are also our employees do not receive any additional compensation for their services as directors. Non-employee directors are paid a cash retainer and retainers for service on committees of the Board of Directors. In addition, each non-employee director was granted a restricted stock award in 2024 equal to such number of shares of common stock determined by dividing the sum of $80,000 by the closing price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on the date of grant, which resulted in an award of 23,323 shares of restricted stock to each of our non-employee directors. Each of these awards vests on the anniversary of the date of grant, conditioned upon the recipient’s continued service as a member of the Board, employee or other consultant until the relevant vesting date. In 2024, each of our non-employee directors received the following fees for Board and committee meeting attendance.
|
Board cash retainer: |
|
• |
$45,000 per annum ($10,000 per quarter) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Equity Grant |
|
• |
A restricted stock award valued at $80,000, based upon the closing stock price on the date of the grant, and vesting on the anniversary of the date of grant. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual cash retainers for committee service: |
|
• |
Audit: $10,000 |
|
|
|
• |
Compensation: $5,300 |
|
|
|
• |
Nominating and Corporate Governance: $5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual cash retainers for committee chairs: |
|
• |
Audit: $20,000 |
|
|
|
• |
Compensation: $13,000 |
|
|
|
• |
Nominating and Corporate Governance: $10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lead Independent Director: |
|
• |
Annual cash retainer of $13,000 |
Director Compensation for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation earned during the last fiscal year by each individual who served as a director at any time during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024:
|
|
|
Fees Earned |
|
Restricted |
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
or Paid |
|
Stock |
|
|
Incentive Plan |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Name |
|
in Cash ($) |
|
Awards ($) (1) |
|
|
Compensation ($) |
|
Compensation ($) |
|
Total ($) |
|
||||
|
Jesse Chen (2) |
|
$ |
83,300 |
|
$ |
80,000 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
163,300 |
|
|
David C. Chang (2) |
|
$ |
73,000 |
|
$ |
80,000 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
153,000 |
|
|
Christine Russell (2) |
|
$ |
75,300 |
|
$ |
80,000 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
155,300 |
|
|
(1) |
Valuation based on the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes pursuant to ASC 718. The grant date fair value of each restricted stock award is measured based on the closing price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on the date of grant. The grant date fair value of the restricted stock awards granted to the non-employee directors on May 16, 2024, the date of the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, was $3.43 per share. Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the non-employee director. Instead, the amounts shown are the value of stock awards calculated based on the grant date fair value as determined pursuant to ASC 718. |
|
(2) |
On December 31, 2024, each of Jesse Chen, David C. Chang and Christine Russell held a restricted stock award for 23,323 shares of common stock. |
In addition, each non-employee director is reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred.
At a meeting of Compensation Committee held on October 26, 2021, the Compensation Committee adopted a stock retention policy for non-employee directors as follows:
| ● | Each non-employee director’s ownership of our common stock must be two times the average of the annual restricted stock award grants granted on May 20, 2021 and May 21, 2020. |
44
| ● | The transition period for the new policy shall be four years. |
Procedures for Approval of Related Person Transactions
The Board is committed to upholding the highest legal and ethical conduct in fulfilling its responsibilities and recognizes that related party transactions can present a heightened risk of potential or actual conflicts of interest. Accordingly, as a general matter, it is our preference to avoid related party transactions. The Board adopted a formal related party transactions policy in February 2010. Our Related Party Transactions Policy seeks to prohibit all conflicts of interest in transactions between the Company and related parties, unless they have been approved by the Audit Committee. This policy applies to all employees and directors of the Company and, our consolidated subsidiaries.
On an annual basis, we require each of our directors and executive officers to complete a questionnaire identifying transactions with the Company in which a director or an executive officer or any of his or her immediate family members has any direct or indirect interest. We review the questionnaires for potential related party transactions.
The Audit Committee Charter requires that members of the Audit Committee, all of whom are independent directors, review and approve related party transactions for which such approval is required under applicable law, including SEC and Nasdaq rules. Current SEC rules define a related party transaction to include any transaction, arrangement or relationship in which the Company is a participant and in which any of the following persons has or will have a direct or indirect interest:
| ● | an executive officer, director or director nominee; |
| ● | any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock; |
| ● | any person who is an immediate family member (as defined under Item 404 of Regulation S-K) of an executive officer, director or director nominee or beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock; or |
| ● | any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person, together with any other of the foregoing persons, has a 5% or greater beneficial ownership interest. |
Pursuant to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our employees, executive officers, and directors, including their immediate family members and affiliates, are prohibited from entering into a related party transaction with us without the prior consent of our Audit Committee (or other independent committee of our Board of Directors in cases where it is inappropriate for our Audit Committee to review such transaction due to a conflict of interest). Any request for us to enter into a transaction with an executive officer, director, principal stockholder, or any of such persons’ immediate family members or affiliates, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 must first be presented to our Audit Committee for review, consideration and approval.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Since January 1, 2024, there has not been, nor is there currently proposed, any transaction or series of similar transactions to which we were or are to be a party in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any director, executive officer or holder of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities or members of that person’s immediate family had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
45
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
We currently maintain one equity compensation plan that provides for the issuance of common stock to officers and other employees, directors, and consultants. This plan is the 2015 Plan, which was approved by our stockholders in May 2015 and amended on May 23, 2019, May 20, 2021 and May 16, 2024. Our 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “1997 Plan”) was amended and restated as the 2007 Plan and all outstanding options originally issued under the 1997 Plan have been exercised or have expired. We continue to have outstanding options issued under the 2007 Plan as well as options issued and outstanding from the 2015 Plan. The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding options issued under the 2007 Plan and 2015 Plan and shares reserved for future issuance under the 2015 Plan as of December 31, 2024:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
for future issuance |
|
|
|
|
Number of shares to |
|
|
|
|
under 2015 |
|
|
|
|
be issued upon |
|
Weighted-average |
|
Equity Incentive |
|
|
|
|
|
exercise of |
|
exercise price of |
|
Plan (excluding |
|
|
|
|
|
outstanding options, |
|
outstanding options, |
|
shares reflected in |
|
|
|
|
|
warrants and rights |
|
warrants and rights |
|
column (a)) |
|
|
|
Plan Category |
|
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) (1) |
|
|
|
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders - 2007 Plan and 2015 Plan |
|
1,174,686 |
|
$ |
5.16 |
|
4,185,187 |
|
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders - None |
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
Total |
|
1,174,686 |
|
$ |
5.16 |
|
4,185,187 |
|
46
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP BY MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of March 21, 2025, certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by:
| ● | each stockholder known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock; |
| ● | each of our directors and director nominees; |
| ● | each of our Named Executive Officers; and |
| ● | all Named Executive Officers and directors as a group. |
Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner is c/o AXT, Inc., 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, California 94538.
Except as indicated in the footnotes to the table, we believe that the persons named in the table have sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws, where applicable. For each named person, this percentage includes common stock, including restricted common stock, and stock options or other right to acquire beneficial ownership of common stock either currently or within 60 days of March 21, 2025. However, such common stock shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of completing the percentage owned by any other person. Percentages of beneficial ownership are based upon 45,597,995 shares of common stock outstanding on March 21, 2025.
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficially |
|
|
|
|
Beneficial Owner (1) |
|
Owned (2) |
|
Percent (3) |
|
|
5% Stockholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cleveland Capital Management
(4)
|
|
2,370,000 |
|
5.20 |
% |
|
Directors and Named Executive Officers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Morris S. Young (5) |
|
2,854,589 |
|
6.26 |
% |
|
Gary L. Fischer (6) |
|
671,615 |
|
* |
|
|
Jesse Chen (7) |
|
154,166 |
|
* |
|
|
David C. Chang (8) |
|
252,572 |
|
* |
|
|
Christine Russell (9) |
|
78,198 |
|
* |
|
|
Directors and executive officers as a group (5 persons) (10) |
|
4,011,140 |
|
8.80 |
% |
* Less than 1%.
| (1) | Except as otherwise indicated, the persons named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable and to the information contained in the footnotes to this table. |
| (2) | Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of shares that can be acquired by such person within 60 days upon the exercise of options or other rights. |
| (3) | Calculated on the basis of 45,597,995 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 21, 2025, provided that any additional shares of common stock that a stockholder has the right to acquire within 60 days after March 21, 2025 are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of calculating that stockholder’s percentage beneficial ownership. |
| (4) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on October 10, 2024 by Cleveland Capital Management LLC. According to its Schedule 13G/A, Cleveland Capital Management reported as having sole voting power over no shares, shared voting power over 2,370,000 shares, sole dispositive power over no shares, shared dispositive power over 2,370,000 shares and beneficial ownership of 2,370,000 shares. The Schedule 13G/A contained information as of October 10, 2024 and may not reflect current holdings of AXT’s stock. |
47
| (5) | Includes 2,162,636 shares held by the Young Family Trust and the Morris Young Family Ltd. Partnership, of which Dr. Morris S. Young serves as trustee. Also includes 691,953 shares subject to options that may be exercised within 60 days after March 21, 2025. |
| (6) | Includes 413,507, whether vested or unvested, shares of restricted stock awards, options converted to shares and held and 258,108 shares subject to options that may be exercised within 60 days after March 21, 2025. |
| (7) | Includes 130,843 vested shares of restricted stock awards and 23,323 unvested shares of restricted stock awards. |
| (8) | Includes 229,249 vested shares of restricted stock awards and 23,323 unvested shares of restricted stock awards. |
| (9) | Includes 54,875 vested shares of restricted stock awards and 23,323 unvested shares of restricted stock awards. |
| (10) | See notes (6) through (10). Includes 2,760,633 whether vested or unvested, shares of restricted stock awards, options converted to shares and held and 950,061 shares subject to options that may be exercised and released within 60 days after March 21, 2025 beneficially owned by executive officers and directors. |
48
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers and directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock to file initial reports of beneficial ownership and reports of changes in beneficial ownership with the SEC. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by such person.
Based solely on our review of such forms furnished to us and written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and greater-than-10% stockholders were met within a timely manner in 2024.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED
AT NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholders may present proposals for action at a future meeting only if they comply with the requirements of the proxy rules established by the SEC and our Bylaws. For a stockholder proposal to be included in our proxy materials for the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, the proposal must be received at our principal executive offices, addressed to the Secretary, not later than December 1, 2025. Stockholder business, including nominations or proposals, not intended for inclusion in our proxy materials, may be brought before the 2026 annual meeting so long as we receive notice of the proposal as specified by our Bylaws, addressed to the Secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 120 calendar days in advance of the date that our proxy statement was released to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders, or December 1, 2025. The stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on our books, of the stockholder proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares of AXT common stock which are beneficially owned by the stockholder, and (d) any material interest of the stockholder in such business. A copy of the relevant bylaw provision is available upon request to AXT, Inc., 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, CA 94538, attention: Corporate Secretary. You can also access our SEC filings, including our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K, under the “Investors” section on our website at www.axt.com .
TRANSACTION OF OTHER BUSINESS
At the date of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors knows of no other business that will be conducted at the 2025 annual meeting other than as described in this proxy statement. If any other matter or matters are properly brought before the meeting, or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote the proxy on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
|
|
By order of the Board of Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GARY L. FISCHER |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary |
|
|
|
49
APPENDIX A: AXT 2025 EQUITY PLAN
AXT, INC.
2025 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
| 1. | Introduction |
| 2. | Definitions |
As used herein, the following definitions will apply:
50
| (1) | A change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (“ Person ”), acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such Person , constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection, the acquisition of additional stock by any one Person , who is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change in Control; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (1) , (i) the acquisition of beneficial ownership of additional stock by any one Person who is considered to beneficially own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change in Control; and (ii) if the stockholders of the Company immediately before such change in ownership continue to retain immediately after the change in ownership, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to the change in ownership, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company or of the ultimate parent entity of the Company, such event will not be considered a Change in Control under this subsection (1) . For this purpose, indirect beneficial ownership will include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting securities of one or more corporations or other business entities which own the Company, as the case may be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations or other business entities; |
| (2) | A change in the effective control of the Company which occurs on the date that a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election. For purposes of this subsection (2) , if any Person is considered to be in effective control of the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Change in Control; or |
| (3) | A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than fifty percent (50%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (3) , the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (i) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (ii) a transfer of assets by the Company to: (A) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (B) an entity, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (C) a Person , that owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (D) an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in this subsection (3)(ii)(C) . For purposes of this subsection (3) , gross fair market |
51
| value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets. |
For purposes of this definition, Persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.
Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (1) its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (2) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the Persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction. In all events, a Change in Control hereunder is intended to comply and be interpreted consistently with the definition of such in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).
52
| (1) | If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the NASDAQ Global Market or the NASDAQ Capital Market of The NASDAQ Stock Market, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; |
| (2) | If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the date of determination (or, if no bids and asks were reported on that date, as applicable, on the last trading date such bids and asks were reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or |
| (3) | In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Administrator . |
53
| (mm) | Restricted Stock Unit ” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share, granted pursuant to Section 8 . Each Restricted Stock Unit represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company. |
| 3. | Stock Subject to the Plan |
| (a) | Stock Subject to the Plan . Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 15 of the Plan, the total number of Shares authorized for issuance under this Plan shall be equal to: |
| (1) | Any Shares that remain available for future grants under the 2015 Plan as of the date this Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders pursuant to Section 26 of the Plan; and |
| (2) | Any Shares subject to outstanding awards granted under the 2015 Plan that, on or after the date this Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders pursuant to Section 26 of the Plan, expire, are forfeited, or otherwise terminate without having been exercised or settled in full (or are repurchased by the Company). |
For purposes of clarification and not limitation, the total Shares available for issuance under the 2015 Plan (as referenced in subsection (a)(1) of this Section) as of December 31, 2024, is 3,733,401.
54
| 4. | Administration of the Plan |
| (1) | Multiple Administrative Bodies . Different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers may administer the Plan. |
| (2) | Non-Employee Directors . To the extent an Award is intended to qualify for the exemption from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act that is available under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, the Award will be granted by the Board or a Committee that consists solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors , as determined under Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act and thereafter any action establishing or modifying the terms of the Award will be approved by the Board or a Committee meeting such requirements to the extent necessary for such exemption to remain available. |
| (3) | Other Administration . Other than as provided above, the Plan will be administered by (i) the Board, or (ii) a Committee, which committee will be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws. |
| (4) | Delegation of Authority for Day-to-Day Administration . Except to the extent prohibited by Applicable Law, the Administrator may delegate to one or more individuals the day-to-day administration of the Plan and any of the functions assigned to it in this Plan. Such delegation may be revoked at any time. |
| (1) | to determine the Fair Market Value; |
| (2) | to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder; |
| (3) | to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder; |
| (4) | to approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan; |
| (5) | to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator will determine; |
| (6) | to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan; |
55
| (7) | to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub- plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws or for qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable foreign laws; |
| (8) | to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 20(c) of the Plan), including, but not limited to, the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Awards and to extend the maximum term of an Option (subject to Section 6(c) of the Plan regarding Incentive Stock Options); |
| (9) | to allow Participants to satisfy tax withholding obligations in such manner as prescribed in Section 16 of the Plan; |
| (10) | to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator ; |
| (11) | to determine whether Awards (other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) will be adjusted for Dividend Equivalents; |
| (12) | to allow a Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that otherwise would be due to such Participant under an Award pursuant to such procedures as the Administrator may determine; |
| (13) | to impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by a Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued as a result of or under an Award, including without limitation, (i) restrictions under an insider trading policy, and (ii) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers; |
| (14) | to require that Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award (including amounts received upon the settlement or exercise of an Award) will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award, as may be specified in an Award Agreement at the time of the Award, or later if (i) Applicable Laws require the Company to adopt a policy requiring such reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment, or (ii) pursuant to an amendment of an outstanding Award; and |
| (15) | to make all other determinations it deems necessary or advisable for administering the Plan, where the Administrator shall have full discretionary and final authority to make all such determinations. |
| 5. | Eligibility |
Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, At-Risk, Performance Shares, Performance Units and such other cash or stock Awards as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.
| 6. | Stock Options |
56
| (1) | Exercise Price . The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option will be determined by the Administrator but will be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. In addition, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price will be no less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code. |
| (2) | Waiting Period and Exercise Dates . At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator will fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and will determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised. |
| (3) | Form of Consideration . The Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. The acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option may consist entirely of: (i) cash; (ii) check; (iii) promissory note, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, (iv) other Shares, provided that such Shares have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which such Option will be exercised and provided that accepting such Shares will not result in any adverse accounting consequences to the Company, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion; (v) consideration received by the Company under a broker-assisted (or other) cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; (vi) by net exercise; (vii) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws; or (viii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. |
| (1) | Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder . Any Option granted hereunder will vest and be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. |
An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) notice of exercise (in such form as the Administrator may specify from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with applicable withholding taxes). Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option will be issued in the name of the Participant or, if requested by the Participant, in the name of the Participant and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or
57
receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Shares subject to an Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 15 of the Plan.
Exercising an Option in any manner will decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.
| (2) | Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider . If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s termination as the result of the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator , if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator , the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan. |
| (3) | Termination for Cause . If a Participant’s employment is terminated for Cause, as defined in this Plan, then all the Participant’s Options, whether or not vested, shall immediately terminate and be forfeited as of the effective date of such termination. |
| (4) | Disability of Participant . If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator , if on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan. |
| (5) | Death of Participant . If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised following the Participant’s death within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event may the option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form acceptable to the Administrator . If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following Participant’s death. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator , if at the time of death Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will immediately revert to the Plan. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan. |
| (f) | Modification, Extension or Renewal . The Committee may modify, extend, or renew outstanding Options and authorize the grant of new Options in substitution therefor, provided that any such action may not, without the written consent of a Participant, impair any of such Participant’s rights under any Option previously granted. Any outstanding Incentive Stock Option that is modified, extended, renewed, or otherwise altered will be treated in accordance with Section 424(h) of the Code. Subject to Section 17 of this Plan, by written notice to affected Participants, the Committee may reduce the exercise price of outstanding Options without the consent of such Participants, provided, however, that the exercise price may not be reduced below the Fair Market Value on the date the action is taken to reduce the exercise price. |
| (g) | No Disqualification . Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan, no term of this Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options will be interpreted, amended, or altered, nor will any discretion or authority granted under this Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify this Plan under Section 422 of the Code or, without the consent of the Participant affected, to disqualify any Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code, other than upon a Change in Control. |
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| 7. | Restricted Stock |
| 8. | Restricted Stock Units |
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| 9. | Stock Appreciation Rights |
| (1) | The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; times |
| (2) | The number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised. |
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At the discretion of the Administrator , the payment upon Stock Appreciation Right exercise may be in cash, in Shares (which, on the date of exercise, have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the Payout Amount), or in some combination thereof.
| 10. | Performance Units and At-Risk, Performance Shares |
| 11. | Dividend Equivalents |
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| 12. | Performance-Based Awards |
| 13. | Leaves of Absence/Transfer Between Locations |
Unless otherwise required by Applicable Laws or determined by the Administrator , vesting of Awards will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. A Participant will not be considered to have ceased employment due to (a) a Company-approved leave of absence or (b) a transfer within the Company, its Parent, Subsidiary, or Affiliate; provided, however, that a transfer to an Affiliate may be treated as a termination for Incentive Stock Option purposes. With respect
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to Incentive Stock Options, any leave may not exceed three (3) months unless reemployment is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment is not guaranteed, any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant will be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option six (6) months after the leave begins.
| 14. | Transferability of Awards |
Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator , an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award will contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.
| 15. | Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control |
In the event that the Successor Corporation does not assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units will lapse, and, with respect to Awards with performance-based vesting, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at one hundred percent (100%) of target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is not assumed or substituted for in the event of a Change in Control, the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be fully vested and exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.
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For the purposes of this subsection (c), an Award will be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right upon the exercise of which the Administrator determines to pay cash or a , Performance Share or Performance Unit which the Administrator can determine to pay in cash, the fair market value of the consideration received in the merger or Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the Successor Corporation, the Administrator may, with the consent of the Successor Corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the payout of a Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Unit or At-Risk, Performance Share, for each Share subject to such Award (or in the case of Performance Units denominated in dollars, the number of implied shares determined by dividing the value of the Performance Units by the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control), to be solely common stock of the Successor Corporation equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 15(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more Performance Goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such Performance Goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such Performance Goals only to reflect the Successor Corporation’s post-Change in Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 15(c) to the contrary, if a payment under an Award Agreement is subject to Code Section 409A and if the change in control definition contained in the Award Agreement does not comply with the definition of “change of control” for purposes of a distribution under Code Section 409A, then any payment of an amount that otherwise is accelerated under this Section will be delayed until the earliest time that such payment would be permissible under Code Section 409A without triggering any penalties applicable under Code Section 409A.
| 16. | Tax Withholding/Code Section 409A |
| (1) | To the extent an Award is subject to Code Section 409A, the time and form of payment shall be specified in the applicable Award Agreement, and any deferral or acceleration of payment or settlement shall only |
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| be permitted if and to the extent authorized under Code Section 409A and applicable Treasury Regulations; and |
| (2) | If the time and form of payment required under subsection (b)(1) of this Section is not included in the Award Agreement and there are no time and form of payment provisions otherwise applicable to such Award, the Award shall be settled by no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the year in which the Award vests, or such earlier date as may be required to qualify for the short-term deferral exemption under applicable Treasury Regulations. |
For the avoidance of doubt, and to the extent permitted under applicable Treasury Regulations, Awards intended to qualify for the short-term deferral exemption shall be settled within the short-term deferral period. Further, in no event shall the Company have any obligation to indemnify or reimburse a Participant for any taxes imposed (or interest or penalties with respect thereto) as a result of Section 409A.
| 17. | No Effect on Employment or Service |
Neither the Plan nor any Award will be interpreted as forming an employment or service relationship with the Company or any Parent, Affiliate or Subsidiary. Further, neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company or any Parent, Affiliate or Subsidiary, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or right of the Company or any Parent, Affiliate or Subsidiary, as applicable, to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without Cause , to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.
| 18. | Date of Grant |
The date of grant of an Award will be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator . Notice of the determination will be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
| 19. | Term of Plan |
Subject to Section 26 of the Plan, the Plan shall be effective for a period of ten (10) consecutive years starting as of the Effective Date and ending on April 1, 2035, unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 20 of this Plan.
| 20. | Amendment and Termination of the Plan |
| 21. | Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares |
| 22. | Inability to Obtain Authority |
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The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction or to complete or comply with the requirements of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any state, federal or foreign law or under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the stock exchange on which Shares of the same class are then listed, or any other governmental or regulatory body, which authority, registration, qualification or rule compliance is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary or advisable for the issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority, registration, qualification or rule compliance will not have been obtained.
| 23. | Forfeiture Events |
The Administrator may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to an Award will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include, but will not be limited to, fraud, breach of a fiduciary duty, restatement of financial statements as a result of fraud or willful errors or omissions, termination of employment for Cause , violation of material Company, Affiliate and/or Subsidiary policies, breach of non-competition, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company, Affiliates and/or its Subsidiaries. The Administrator may also require the application of this Section with respect to any Award previously granted to a Participant even without any specified terms being included in any applicable Award Agreement to the extent required under Applicable Laws.
| 24. | Insider Trading Policy |
Each Participant who receives an Award will comply with any
| 25. | All Awards Subject to Company Clawback or Recoupment Policy |
All Awards granted under this Plan shall be subject to the Company’s recoupment or “clawback” policies as in effect from time to time, including g any policies adopted pursuant to Rule 10D-1 under the Exchange Act and applicable listing standards. Such policies are hereby incorporated by reference into the Plan and each Award Agreement.
| 26. | Stockholder Approval |
The Plan is subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company, which must occur within twelve (12) months following the Effective Date. Any Awards granted prior to such stockholder approval shall be expressly subject to such approval and shall be null and void if such approval is not obtained within such twelve (12)-month period. Such stockholder approval will be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws.
| 27. | Captions |
Captions are provided herein for convenience only and will not serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan.
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01 - Christine Russell 1UPX For Withhold The Sample Company A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all nominees and FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4. 044GFB 2. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. 4. To ratify the appointment of BPM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. 1. To elect one (1) Class III director to hold office for a three year term and until their respective successor is elected and qualified. For Against Abstain For Against Abstain Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. B Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below. 3. To approve the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan. 2025 Annual Meeting Proxy Card Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q MMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMM 1234 5678 9012 345 648536 If no electronic voting, delete QR code and control # 000001MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6 ENDORSEMENT_LINE______________ SACKPACK_____________ MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM C123456789 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 2024 MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND C 1234567890 J N T MMMMMMM You may vote online or by phone instead of mailing this card. Online Go to www.envisionreports.com/AXTI or scan the QR code — login details are located in the shaded bar below. Your vote matters – here’s how to vote! Votes submitted electronically must be received by May 14, 2025 at 11:59 P.M., Eastern Time. Save paper, time and money! Sign up for electronic delivery at www.envisionreports.com/AXTI Phone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories and Canada |
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Small steps make an impact. Help the environment by consenting to receive electronic delivery, sign up at www.envisionreports.com/AXTI Notice of 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Proxy Solicited by Board of Directors for Annual Meeting — May 15, 2025 Dr. Morris S. Young and Gary L. Fischer, or any of them, each with the power of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and vote the shares of the undersigned, with all the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of AXT, Inc. to be held on May 15, 2025 or at any postponement or adjournment thereof. Shares represented by this proxy will be voted by the shareholder. If no such directions are indicated, the Proxies will have authority to vote FOR the election of the Board of Directors and FOR items 2, 3 and 4. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. (Items to be voted appear on reverse side) Proxy — AXT, INC. C Non-Voting Items q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q Change of Address — Please print new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below. Important notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The material is available at: www.envisionreports.com/AXTI 2025 Annual Meeting Admission Ticket 2025 Annual Meeting of AXT, Inc. Shareholders May 15, 2025, 11:00 A.M. local time Principal Offices 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, CA 94538 Upon arrival, please present this admission ticket and photo identification at the registration desk. |
