Form 4: Arteris CFO Granted 41,217 RSUs Under 10b5-1 Plan

Arteris, Inc. CFO Nicholas B. Hawkins was granted 41,217 restricted stock units, vesting quarterly starting April 1, 2026, under a Rule 10b5-1 plan.

Summary

• Nicholas B. Hawkins, VP and Chief Financial Officer of Arteris, Inc. (AIP), was granted 41,217 restricted stock units (RSUs).
• Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of Arteris' common stock.
• The transaction date for this acquisition was February 18, 2026, with a price of $0.00 per RSU.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Hawkins beneficially owns 123,484 shares of common stock.
• The RSUs will vest with respect to 1/16th of the total on April 1, 2026, and in equal quarterly installments thereafter, indicating a four-year vesting schedule.
• The transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction, or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c).

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a moderately positive event. While a standard compensation action, it signifies continued executive commitment and aligns management's financial interests with long-term shareholder value through a structured vesting schedule.

Positives

• The grant of restricted stock units aligns the Chief Financial Officer's long-term incentives with shareholder interests, promoting sustained performance.
• The use of a Rule 10b5-1 plan demonstrates a pre-arranged, transparent approach to insider transactions, reducing concerns about opportunistic trading.

Future Outlook

The restricted stock units granted to the CFO are structured to vest over a four-year period, with the first installment on April 1, 2026, and subsequent equal quarterly installments. This long-term vesting schedule ties a significant portion of the CFO's compensation to the company's future performance and stock price appreciation.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that the grant of restricted stock units (RSUs) to key executives like the CFO is a standard practice in the technology and semiconductor intellectual property (IP) industry. This form of equity compensation is widely used to attract, retain, and motivate talent by aligning their financial interests with the long-term success of the company and its shareholders. The explicit mention of a Rule 10b5-1 plan indicates a pre-planned trading arrangement, which is a common corporate governance practice designed to provide an affirmative defense against insider trading allegations.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of restricted stock units (RSUs) as a significant component of executive compensation is a common practice across the technology sector, including companies like Synopsys (SNPS) and Cadence Design Systems (CDNS), which also utilize equity grants to incentivize long-term performance.
• A four-year vesting schedule, with quarterly installments, is a typical structure for RSU grants in the industry, comparable to compensation plans seen at peer companies, ensuring sustained commitment from executives.
• The implementation of a Rule 10b5-1 plan for insider transactions is a standard corporate governance measure, widely adopted by publicly traded companies to enhance transparency and mitigate potential insider trading concerns, aligning with best practices observed at major tech firms.

Corporate Governance

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The RSU grant aligns the CFO's financial incentives with the long-term performance of the company, potentially leading to decisions that enhance shareholder value.
• Employees: Standard executive compensation practices, including RSU grants, can set a precedent for broader employee incentive programs, impacting morale and retention.

Next Steps

• The restricted stock units will begin vesting on April 1, 2026, with 1/16th of the total units vesting.
• Subsequent vesting will occur in equal quarterly installments thereafter until fully vested.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing reports a routine executive compensation event involving the grant of restricted stock units under a 10b5-1 plan. While it indicates continued executive alignment with shareholder interests, it does not present new fundamental information or significant changes to the company's financial outlook that would warrant a change in investment recommendation. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate, maintaining existing positions based on broader company fundamentals.

Keywords

Arteris, AIP, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Insider Transaction, Form 4, Executive Compensation, 10b5-1 Plan, Nicholas B. Hawkins, CFO