Form 4: American Express Director Leonsis Acquires Share Equivalent Units

Theodore Leonsis, a director of American Express, reported the acquisition of share equivalent units under the company's 2003 Share Equivalent Unit Plan for Directors.

Summary

• On April 29, 2025, Theodore Leonsis, a director of American Express, acquired 948.467 share equivalent units.
• These units were awarded under the company's 2003 Share Equivalent Unit Plan for Directors.
• Each share equivalent unit reflects the value of one common share.
• The units will be settled in cash following termination of service as a director.
• The units are convertible immediately upon termination of service and have no expiration date.
• Following the transaction, Leonsis beneficially owns 41,599.483 share equivalent units.
• Some units were acquired through dividend reinvestment.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The document reflects a routine transaction related to director compensation, suggesting a neutral to slightly positive sentiment as it indicates alignment of interests between the director and shareholders.

Positives

• The acquisition of share equivalent units by a director signals confidence in the company's future performance.

Future Outlook

The share equivalent units will be settled in cash following termination of service as a director.

Industry Context

Director compensation through share-based awards is a common practice in publicly traded companies to align the interests of directors with those of shareholders.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Many companies, such as Visa (V) and Mastercard (MA), use similar share-based compensation plans for their directors.
• These plans often include vesting schedules and settlement terms tied to continued service or performance metrics.
• The specific terms of American Express's 2003 Share Equivalent Unit Plan for Directors are likely comparable to those of similar plans at peer companies.

Stakeholder Impact

• The transaction has a minor positive impact on shareholders by aligning the director's interests with the company's performance.

Key Dates

Keywords

Share Equivalent Units, Director Compensation, Form 4, Beneficial Ownership, American Express, AXP, Leonsis, Director