4/A: Alphabet CIO Porat's PSU Payout Doubles to 94,715 Shares
Executive Compensation Update
Alphabet's President and CIO, Ruth Porat, received a 200% payout on performance stock units due to strong total shareholder return, correcting an earlier filing.
Summary
- This Form 4/A amends a previous filing from January 15, 2026, to correct the number of Class C Capital Stock shares acquired by Ruth Porat, President and CIO of Alphabet Inc.
- The actual number of shares acquired was 94,715, not the previously reported 47,574 shares.
- The shares were acquired upon the certification of performance criteria for Performance Stock Units (PSUs) granted on May 3, 2023.
- Alphabet's total shareholder return (TSR) for the three-year performance period ending December 31, 2025, was 203.65%.
- This TSR ranked Alphabet at the 92.86th percentile relative to S&P 100 companies, resulting in a maximum payout of 200% of the target PSUs.
- Following the acquisition, 47,141 shares were disposed of to satisfy tax obligations at a price of $332.73 per share.
- Ruth Porat's direct beneficial ownership of Class C Capital Stock following these transactions is reported as 862,377 shares.
Sentiment
Score: 9
Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as highly positive, reflecting Alphabet's exceptional total shareholder return performance relative to its S&P 100 peers, leading to a maximum executive compensation payout for a key executive.
Positives
- Alphabet's total shareholder return (TSR) of 203.65% over three years significantly outperformed its peers, ranking at the 92.86th percentile relative to S&P 100 companies.
- The strong performance led to a maximum 200% payout of performance stock units (PSUs) for President and CIO Ruth Porat, indicating successful achievement of executive compensation targets tied to shareholder value.
- The amendment corrects an underreported acquisition, clarifying the full extent of executive compensation tied to strong company performance.
Negatives
- An administrative error in the initial Form 4 filing required an amendment to correct the number of shares acquired, indicating a minor reporting oversight.
Future Outlook
The filing does not contain explicit forward-looking statements or guidance, as it primarily reports past executive compensation events and corrections.
Management Comments
- The shares were acquired upon the certification by the Leadership Development, Inclusion and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors for the satisfaction of performance criteria underlying an award of performance stock units (PSUs).
- Alphabet's total shareholder return (TSR) performance relative to S&P 100 companies for the three-year performance period ending December 31, 2025, was 203.65%, ranking Alphabet's TSR at the 92.86th percentile, resulting in a payout of 200% of target or 94,715 shares, including share-settled dividends.
- Shares were withheld to satisfy tax obligations arising out of the vesting of the Reporting Person's PSUs.
- This amendment is being filed to correct the number of shares acquired, which was inadvertently reported as 47,574 on the Form 4 filed on January 15, 2026. The actual number of shares acquired was 94,715.
Industry Context
StockSavvy.ai notes that a 200% PSU payout for a top executive, driven by a Total Shareholder Return ranking in the 92.86th percentile against the S&P 100, indicates exceptional performance relative to major market peers. This level of outperformance suggests strong operational execution and market positioning within the technology sector.
Comparison to Industry Standards
- Alphabet's 203.65% Total Shareholder Return (TSR) over the three-year performance period significantly exceeds the average performance of S&P 100 companies, placing it in the top 7.14% of its large-cap peers.
- The achievement of a 200% target payout for performance stock units (PSUs) demonstrates that Alphabet's performance metrics, specifically TSR, have far surpassed the thresholds typically set for maximum executive compensation in leading global companies.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders: The strong performance leading to the 200% PSU payout indicates significant value creation for shareholders, reinforcing confidence in the company's strategic direction and management effectiveness.
- Employees: High executive compensation tied to strong performance can signal a healthy and rewarding work environment, potentially boosting morale and attracting talent.
- Management: The successful achievement of maximum performance targets for executive compensation demonstrates effective leadership and alignment with shareholder interests.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 2023-05-03 | Date Performance Stock Units (PSUs) were granted to Ruth Porat. |
| 2025-12-31 | End of the three-year performance period for PSU evaluation. |
| 2026-01-13 | Transaction date for the acquisition of shares upon PSU vesting and disposal of shares for tax obligations. |
| 2026-01-15 | Date of original Form 4 filing that is being amended. |
| 2026-02-20 | Date of this Form 4/A amendment filing. |
Recommendation
strong buyThe 200% payout on performance stock units, driven by Alphabet's total shareholder return ranking in the 92.86th percentile against S&P 100 companies, signals exceptional operational and market performance. This strong executive compensation outcome, tied directly to superior shareholder returns, suggests robust underlying business health and management effectiveness, making the stock highly attractive.
Keywords
Alphabet, GOOGL, Ruth Porat, SEC Form 4/A, Insider Transaction, Executive Compensation, Performance Stock Units, Total Shareholder Return, S&P 100, Class C Capital Stock
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