Annual general meeting (Hauptversammlung)
The yearly meeting of a company's shareholders, where key decisions are voted on.
In short
As of 5 October 2026The annual general meeting is the yearly meeting of a public company's shareholders, held in person or online. There, the owners vote for example on how profit is used and therefore on the dividend, elect members of the supervisory board and decide whether to formally approve the actions of the management and supervisory boards. Each share usually carries one vote.
At the annual general meeting (German: Hauptversammlung, HV) the owners of a stock corporation come together. It takes place once a year, in person or online.
Shareholders vote on, for example, the dividend amount, elect supervisory board members and decide whether to formally approve the actions of management and the supervisory board. As a rule, one share equals one vote.
Example: if a DAX company's meeting in May approves a dividend of 3 euros per share, it is paid into your cash account a few days later. As a small shareholder you can register, ask questions and vote.
Sources
- Aktiengesetz (AktG), § 118 Hauptversammlung
- Aktiengesetz (AktG), § 119 Rechte der Hauptversammlung
- Aktiengesetz (AktG), § 134 Stimmrecht
As of 5 October 2026 · Educational content, not investment or tax advice.