Form 4: AAOI Executive Fred Chang Sells Shares for Tax
Insider Transaction Report
Applied Optoelectronics executive Fred Chang disposed of 6,338 shares of common stock to cover tax withholding obligations related to restricted stock unit vesting.
Summary
- Fred Chang, Senior Vice President and North America General Manager of Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AAOI), disposed of 6,338 shares of common stock.
- The transactions occurred on January 22, 2026, at a price of $38.38 per share.
- These shares were surrendered to the company to satisfy tax-withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock unit (RSU) awards.
- The RSU awards vested on various dates, including grants from June 27, 2022, June 26, 2023, April 29, 2024, and April 11, 2025.
- Following these transactions, Fred Chang directly beneficially owns 244,219 shares of common stock.
Sentiment
Score: 5
Explanation: This is a neutral, routine filing for tax withholding upon RSU vesting, which is a common occurrence for executives receiving equity compensation. It does not indicate any positive or negative operational or financial performance.
Future Outlook
No forward-looking statements or guidance are provided in this routine insider transaction report.
Industry Context
This filing is a routine insider transaction related to executive compensation and tax obligations, and does not provide insights into broader industry trends or competitive landscape.
Stakeholder Impact
- Minimal impact on shareholders as this is a routine transaction for tax purposes and does not reflect a discretionary sale or change in company fundamentals.
- No direct impact on employees, customers, suppliers, or creditors is indicated by this filing.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 06/27/2022 | Grant date of a restricted stock unit award. |
| 06/26/2023 | Grant date of a restricted stock unit award. |
| 04/29/2024 | Grant date of a restricted stock unit award. |
| 04/11/2025 | Grant date of a restricted stock unit award. |
| 01/22/2026 | Transaction date for shares surrendered to satisfy tax-withholding obligations upon RSU vesting. |
| 01/26/2026 | Date of signature for the Form 4 filing. |
Recommendation
holdThis Form 4 filing details a routine disposition of shares by an executive to cover tax obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock units. Such transactions are common and do not typically reflect a change in the executive's confidence in the company or its future prospects. Therefore, it provides no new information that would warrant a change in investment recommendation; a 'hold' stance is maintained based on existing company fundamentals.
Keywords
Applied Optoelectronics, AAOI, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Stock Sale, Tax Withholding, Restricted Stock Units, RSU Vesting, Fred Chang
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