PIPER SANDLER COMPANIES

NOTE 17|SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

The Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for the issuance of up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share and up to 5,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock with a par value of $0.01 per share.

Common Stock

The holders of the Company's common stock are entitled toone vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the shareholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock of Piper Sandler Companies, the holders of its common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared out of funds legally available for that purpose. There are also restrictions on the payment of dividends as set forth in Note 24. The Company's board of directors determines the declaration and payment of dividends and is free to change the Company's dividend policy at any time.

Dividends

The Company's current dividend policy is intended to return a metric based on fiscal year net income to its shareholders.

In 2023, the Company declared and paid quarterly cash dividends on its common stock, aggregating $2.40 per share, and a special cash dividend on its common stock related to fiscal year 2022 results of $1.25 per share. Total dividends paid, including accrued forfeitable dividends paid on restricted stock vestings, were $84.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.

In 2022, the Company declared and paid quarterly cash dividends on its common stock, aggregating $2.40 per share, and a special cash dividend on its common stock related to fiscal year 2021 results of $4.50 per share. Total dividends paid, including accrued forfeitable dividends paid on restricted stock vestings, were $107.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

In 2021, the Company declared and paid quarterly cash dividends on its common stock, aggregating $1.95 per share, a special cash dividend on its common stock related to fiscal year 2020 results of $1.85 per share, and a special cash dividend on its common stock related to fiscal year 2021 results of $3.00 per share. Total dividends paid, including accrued forfeitable dividends paid on restricted stock vestings, were $99.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

On February 2, 2024, the board of directors declared both a quarterly and a special cash dividend on its common stock of $0.60 and $1.00 per share, respectively, to be paid on March 15, 2024, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 4, 2024. The special cash dividend relates to the Company's fiscal year 2023 results.

In the event that Piper Sandler Companies is liquidated or dissolved, the holders of its common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to any prior distribution rights of Piper Sandler Companies preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. Currently, there isno outstanding preferred stock. The holders of the common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to Piper Sandler Companies common stock.

Share Repurchases

The Company purchases shares of common stock pursuant to share repurchase programs authorized by the Company's board of directors. The Company also purchases shares of common stock from restricted stock award recipients upon the award vesting as recipients sell shares to meet their employment tax obligations.

The following table summarizes the repurchase programs authorized by the Company's board of directors:

The following table summarizes the Company's repurchase activity:

Issuance of Shares

The Company issues common shares out of treasury stock as a result of employee restricted share vesting and exercise transactions as discussed in Note 19. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company issued 2,013,046 shares,953,293 shares and 918,024 shares, respectively, related to these obligations.

Preferred Stock

The Piper Sandler Companies board of directors has the authority, without action by its shareholders, to designate and issue preferred stock in one or more series and to designate the rights, preferences and privileges of each series, which may be greater than the rights associated with the common stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock upon the rights of holders of common stock until the Piper Sandler Companies board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of preferred stock. However, the effects might include, among other things, the following: restricting dividends on its common stock, diluting the voting power of its common stock, impairing the liquidation rights of its common stock and delaying or preventing a change in control of Piper Sandler Companies without further action by its shareholders.

Noncontrolling Interests

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Piper Sandler Companies, its wholly owned subsidiaries and other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. Noncontrolling interests represent equity interests in consolidated entities that are not attributable, either directly or indirectly, to Piper Sandler Companies. Noncontrolling interests represent the minority equity holders' proportionate share of the equity in the Company's alternative asset management funds.

Ownership interests in entities held by parties other than the Company's common shareholders are presented as noncontrolling interests within shareholders' equity, separate from the Company's own equity. Revenues, expenses and net income or loss are reported on the consolidated statements of operations on a consolidated basis, which includes amounts attributable to both the Company's common shareholders and noncontrolling interests. Net income or loss is then allocated between the Company and noncontrolling interests based upon their relative ownership interests. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is deducted from consolidated net income to determine net income attributable to the Company. The Company does not have other comprehensive income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests.