Form 4: Autodesk Director Reid French Jr. Receives Equity Compensation Through RSU Grants

Autodesk, Inc. Director Reid R. French Jr. reported the acquisition of 1,232 Restricted Stock Units as part of his director compensation, aligning his interests with shareholders.

Summary

• Reid R. French Jr., a Director of Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK), reported two acquisitions of Common Stock on June 18, 2025.
• The first acquisition involved 386 shares, which are Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) granted under the Director Compensation Policy and the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, vesting on the date of the next annual meeting.
• The second acquisition involved an additional 846 shares, also RSUs granted annually under the same Director Compensation Policy and 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, vesting on the date of the next annual meeting.
• Following these transactions, Mr. French beneficially owns a total of 15,646 shares of Autodesk Common Stock, which includes 1,232 shares of unvested Restricted Stock Units.
• The transactions were made pursuant to a contract, instruction, or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities, intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c).

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The grant of Restricted Stock Units to a director is a positive event as it aligns the director's interests with shareholder value creation and is part of a standard, pre-approved compensation policy.

Positives

• The grant of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to Director Reid R. French Jr. aligns his financial interests with those of Autodesk shareholders, as the value of his compensation is tied to the company's stock performance.
• The transactions are part of a pre-arranged plan (Rule 10b5-1(c)), indicating a structured approach to director compensation rather than opportunistic trading.
• The compensation is provided under the established Director Compensation Policy and the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, demonstrating adherence to formal corporate governance structures.

Future Outlook

The Restricted Stock Units granted to Director Reid R. French Jr. are set to vest on the date of the next annual meeting, indicating a future milestone for the conversion of these units into common stock.

Industry Context

The practice of compensating directors with equity, such as Restricted Stock Units, is a common industry standard across publicly traded companies, particularly in the technology sector, to align director incentives with long-term shareholder value creation.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as a component of director compensation is a widely adopted practice among S&P 500 companies and technology firms, including peers like Adobe Inc. (ADBE) and Dassault Systèmes SE (DASTY), which also utilize equity-based awards to incentivize their board members.
• The vesting schedule tied to the next annual meeting is a standard approach for director equity grants, ensuring continued service and alignment.
• The disclosure of these transactions via Form 4 is a standard regulatory requirement for insider trading transparency in the U.S.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• The acquisition of 1,232 Restricted Stock Units by Reid R. French Jr., a director of Autodesk, Inc., constitutes a related party transaction as it involves compensation provided by the company to a member of its board of directors.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The RSU grants align the director's interests with shareholders, potentially leading to better long-term decision-making focused on stock performance.
• Employees: While not directly impacting employees, the use of equity incentive plans can set a precedent for compensation structures across the organization.

Next Steps

• The Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) are expected to vest on the date of the next annual meeting, at which point they will convert into shares of Common Stock.

Key Dates

Keywords

Autodesk, ADSK, SEC Form 4, Insider Transaction, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Director Compensation, Equity Incentive Plan, Corporate Governance, Reid R. French Jr., Stock Grant, Rule 10b5-1