On February 29, 2024, A. O. Smith Corporation announced that it has received a shareholder proposal from the NorthStar Asset Management, Inc requesting that the Board of Directors prepare a report, at a reasonable cost, omitting proprietary information, and publish it publicly within one year from the annual meeting date, analyzing whether the Company?s hiring practices related to people with arrest or incarceration records are aligned with publicly stated diversity commitments, and whether those practices may pose reputational or legal risk due to potential discrimination (including racial discrimination) claims. In addition, the Company urged the shareholders to vote against the shareholder proposal at its annual general meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on April 9, 2024.