DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the capital stock, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights, purchase contracts and
purchase units that we may offer and sell from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of any security. At the time of an offering and sale, this prospectus together with the accompanying prospectus
supplement will contain the material terms of the securities being offered.
As used in this Description of Securities, the
terms we, us, our, the Company, or Stryker refer to Stryker Corporation, a Michigan corporation, and do not, unless otherwise specified, include our subsidiaries.
Description of Capital Stock
The
following description briefly summarizes certain information regarding our capital stock. This information does not purport to be complete and is subject in all respects to the applicable provisions of the Michigan Business Corporation Act, as
amended, or the MBCA, our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, or our articles, and our Bylaws, as amended, or our bylaws.
Capital Stock
Our authorized capital stock consists of (1) 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.10 par value per share, and (2) 500,000 shares
of preferred stock, $1.00 par value per share. As of November 15, 2023, we had 379,938,162 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock issued.
Common Stock
Each share of common stock
entitles the holder thereof to one vote for each share held by it of record on each matter submitted to a vote. Other than the election of directors, if an action is to be taken by vote of the shareholders, it will be authorized by a majority of the
votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote on the action, unless a greater vote is required in our articles or bylaws. Directors are elected by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote (and for such purpose, a
majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted for a nominee must exceed the number of votes cast against that nominee); provided, however, that if as of the record date for a meeting at which directors will
be elected, there are more nominees than positions on the board of directors to be filled by election at such meeting, each director shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the election.
Subject to the prior payment or provision therefor of dividends on the preferred stock, if any, holders of the common stock are entitled to
receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. Holders of our common stock have no conversion, preemptive or other rights to subscribe for any
securities of ours, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to such shares. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or distribution of our assets and after satisfaction of the preferential requirements of the
preferred stock, if any, holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the distribution of the remaining assets of the Company available for distribution. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject
to applicable law and the rights of the holders of any shares of preferred stock and any additional classes of stock that we may issue in the future.
Preferred Stock
Our articles authorize
our Board of Directors to issue up to 500,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, with such distinctive designation or title and in such number of shares as may be authorized by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is
authorized to prescribe the relative rights and preferences of each series, and the limitations applicable thereto, including but not limited to the following: (1) the voting powers, full,
6