Note 14 - Capital Stock

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2025

Capital Stock

Capital Stock

14. Capital Stock

Common Stock

Each share of Class A common stock entitles its holder to one vote per share, and each share of Class B common stock generally entitles its holder to ten votes per share. The amount of any regular cash dividend payable on a share of Class A common stock will be an amount equal to 110% of the corresponding regular cash dividend payable on a share of Class B common stock. If a shareholder desires to sell shares of Class B common stock, such stock must be converted into shares of Class A common stock at a one-to-one conversion rate.

On August 4, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) adopted a shareholder rights plan (the “Rights Plan”), which was amended on January 11, 2018, January 18, 2021 and January 11, 2024, designed to preserve shareholder value and the value of certain tax assets primarily associated with NOL carryforwards and built-in losses under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Our ability to use NOLs and built-in losses would be limited if there was an “ownership change” under Section 382. This would occur if shareholders owning (or deemed under Section 382 to own) 5% or more of our stock increase their collective ownership of the aggregate amount of our outstanding shares by more than 50 percentage points over a defined period of time. The Rights Plan was adopted to reduce the likelihood of an “ownership change” occurring as defined by Section 382. Under the Rights Plan, one right was distributed for each share of Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding as of the close of business on August 15, 2008. Effective August 15, 2008, if any person or group acquires 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock without the approval of the Board, there would be a triggering event causing significant dilution in the voting power of such person or group. However, existing shareholders who owned, at the time of the Rights Plan’s initial adoption on August 4, 2008, 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock will trigger a dilutive event only if they acquire additional shares. The approval of the Board’s decision to adopt the Rights Plan may be terminated by the Board at any time prior to the Rights being triggered. The Rights Plan will continue in effect until August 14, 2027, unless it expires earlier in accordance with its terms. The approval of the Board’s decision to initially adopt the Rights Plan and Amendment Nos. 1, 2 and 3 thereto were approved by shareholders. Our shareholders also approved an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to restrict certain transfers of Class A common stock in order to preserve the tax treatment of our NOLs and built-in losses under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Subject to certain exceptions pertaining to pre-existing 5% shareholders and holders of Class B common stock, the transfer restrictions in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation generally restrict any direct or indirect transfer (such as transfers of our stock that result from the transfer of interests in other entities that own our stock) if the effect would be to (i) increase the direct or indirect ownership of our stock by any person (or public group) from less than 5% to 5% or more of our common stock; (ii) increase the percentage of our common stock owned directly or indirectly by a person (or public group) owning or deemed to own 5% or more of our common stock; or (iii) create a new “public group” (as defined in the applicable U.S. Treasury regulations). Transfers included under the transfer restrictions include sales to persons (or public groups) whose resulting percentage ownership (direct or indirect) of common stock would exceed the 5% thresholds discussed above, or to persons whose direct or indirect ownership of common stock would by attribution cause another person (or public group) to exceed such threshold. 

On September 1, 2022, the Board authorized a repurchase program for up to $50.0 million of our Class A common stock. On December 18, 2024, the Board authorized an incremental increase to our repurchase program and on April 11, 2025, the Board authorized another incremental increase to our repurchase program, such that, inclusive of any amounts remaining under the existing repurchase authorization, as of April 11, 2025, we were authorized to repurchase up to $30.6 million of our Class A common stock. As of October 31, 2025, $26.4 million of our Class A common stock is available for repurchase under the share repurchase program. Under the program, repurchases may be made from time to time in open market transactions, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing and the actual dollar amount repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including legal requirements, price, future tax implications and economic and market conditions. The repurchase program may be changed, suspended or discontinued at any time and does not have a specified expiration date. 

Preferred Stock 

On July 12, 2005, we issued 5,600 shares of 7.625% Series A preferred stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share. Dividends on the Series A preferred stock are not cumulative and are payable at an annual rate of 7.625%. The Series A preferred stock is not convertible into the Company’s common stock and is redeemable, in whole or in part, at our option at the liquidation preference of the shares. The Series A preferred stock is traded as depositary shares, with each depositary share representing 1/1000th of a share of Series A preferred stock. The depositary shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “HOVNP.” During each of fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023 we paid dividends of $10.7 million on the Series A preferred stock.

Retirement Plan 

We have established a tax-qualified, defined contribution savings and investment retirement plan (“401(k) plan”). All associates are eligible to participate in the retirement plan, and employer contributions are based on a percentage of associate contributions and our operating results. 401(k) plan expenses were $10.0 million, $8.8 million and $8.2 million for the years ended October 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Treasury Stock 

During the year ended October 31, 2025, we repurchased 257,908 shares of Class A common stock under our stock repurchase program, with a market value of $30.1 million, or $116.70 per share. During the year ended October 31, 2024, we repurchased 188,800 shares of Class A common stock under our stock repurchase program, with a market value of $26.5 million, or $140.31 per share. During the year ended October 31, 2023, we repurchased 118,478 shares of Class A common stock under our stock repurchase program, with a market value of $4.8 million, or $40.51 per share. The repurchased shares were added to Treasury stock" on the “Consolidated Balance Sheets”.