Form 4: Altria Director Ellen R. Strahlman Reports Acquisition of Phantom Stock Units

Director Ellen R. Strahlman reports acquiring 605 phantom stock units of Altria Group, Inc. on June 28, 2024, according to a Form 4 filing.

Summary

• Ellen R. Strahlman, a director of Altria Group, Inc., filed a Form 4 with the SEC.
• The filing reports a transaction that occurred on June 28, 2024.
• Strahlman acquired 605 phantom stock units pursuant to the Deferred Fee Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
• The phantom stock units convert to the cash value of Altria's common stock on a 1-for-1 basis.
• The price of the derivative security is $45.445, which is the average of the high and low price of Altria Group, Inc. common stock on June 28, 2024.
• Following the transaction, Strahlman beneficially owns 11,777 derivative securities.
• Strahlman also directly owns 18,532 shares of Altria common stock, including 16,532 deferred shares held in the Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The document reflects a routine transaction related to director compensation, suggesting a neutral to slightly positive sentiment as it indicates continued investment in the company by a director.

Positives

• The acquisition of phantom stock units aligns the director's interests with those of the shareholders.
• The Deferred Fee Plan allows directors to defer compensation and receive it in the form of stock units, potentially offering tax advantages.

Future Outlook

The participant will receive distributions of phantom stock units in cash either prior to or following termination of service as a member of the issuer's board of directors, as elected by the participant.

Industry Context

Form 4 filings are a routine part of corporate governance, providing transparency into the transactions of company insiders. This filing indicates a director's continued investment in the company's stock, which can be viewed positively by investors.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Director compensation packages often include stock or stock-based awards to align their interests with shareholders.
• Phantom stock units are a common form of deferred compensation for directors in many publicly traded companies.
• The specific terms of the Deferred Fee Plan are typical for director compensation plans.

Stakeholder Impact

• The transaction has a minor positive impact on shareholders as it aligns the director's interests with theirs.
• The transaction has no direct impact on employees, customers, suppliers, or creditors.

Key Dates