When is the shareholder vote scheduled and what is the probability of achieving the required approval threshold?
Shareholder‑vote timing & odds of success
The press release does not disclose the exact calendar date of the shareholder meeting, only that the vote will take place at the upcoming “scheduled” meeting of WNS shareholders. In practice, such M&A votes are usually set for the next regular annual general meeting (often in late April–early May for U.S.‑listed companies) or a special meeting called within 30‑45 days of the proxy statement filing. You should check the SEC Form DEF 14A filed by WNS for the precise date, as that filing will contain the official meeting notice.
Probability of meeting the approval hurdle
In most go‑private or “sale‑to‑a‑strategic buyer” transactions, the requisite shareholder approval is a super‑majority—commonly 75 % of the outstanding shares (or a similar statutory threshold). The fact that both Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis have issued “FOR” recommendations is a strong positive signal; historically, ISS/Glass‑Lewis “FOR” endorsements translate into roughly a 80‑90 % chance that the transaction clears a 75 % hurdle, especially when the target’s board has already endorsed the deal. Assuming no material dissenting blocs and typical voting patterns, a conservative estimate would place the probability of hitting the required threshold at ≈ 85 %.
Trading implications
Given the high likelihood of approval, the market is likely pricing in the deal’s completion. If the vote is indeed slated for the next AGM (late April/early May), any delay or unexpected dissent could create short‑term volatility. A practical approach is to stay long‑biased on WNS until the vote outcome is confirmed, but consider a modest hedge (e.g., buying protective puts or reducing exposure) a week prior to the meeting date to guard against a rare negative surprise. Monitor the proxy filing and any shareholder dissent notices closely, as those will be the first indicators of any shift in the approval odds.