Form 4: Avista SVP Thackston Receives Equity Grant

Avista Corp. Senior Vice President Jason R. Thackston reported the acquisition of restricted and performance shares as part of his compensation package.

Summary

• Jason R. Thackston, Senior Vice President of Avista Corp. (AVA), reported new equity grants on February 9, 2026.
• Acquired 3,147 shares of Common Stock as a Restricted Shares Grant 2026 at a price of $40.99 per share.
• These restricted shares vest 1/3 each year over a 3-year period and are payable in Avista Corp. Common Stock at the end of each year.
• Acquired 7,344 Performance Shares Grant 2026, valued at $40.99 per share.
• Performance shares are awarded if specific performance measures are met over a 3-year cycle.
• Following these transactions, Thackston directly beneficially owns 43,236 shares of Common Stock and 7,344 derivative Performance Shares.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a positive, routine compensation event that aligns management incentives with shareholder interests, reflecting standard corporate governance practices.

Positives

• The grant of restricted and performance shares aligns the Senior Vice President's interests with long-term shareholder value.
• Performance shares incentivize the achievement of specific company performance metrics over a three-year cycle.

Future Outlook

The performance shares are tied to future performance measures over a 3-year cycle, implying a focus on long-term company goals and value creation.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that equity grants, particularly those with performance-based vesting, are a common practice in executive compensation across the utility sector, aiming to align management incentives with company performance and shareholder returns.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Equity compensation packages for senior executives in the utility sector often include a mix of restricted stock and performance-based awards.
• For example, peers like NextEra Energy (NEE) and Duke Energy (DUK) utilize similar structures to incentivize long-term value creation and operational efficiency.
• The 3-year vesting schedule for restricted shares and 3-year performance cycle for performance shares are standard practices within the industry.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Interests are aligned with management through equity ownership and performance incentives.
• Employees: No direct impact mentioned, but executive compensation practices can influence overall company culture and compensation philosophy.

Next Steps

• Restricted shares will vest 1/3 each year over a 3-year period.
• Performance shares will be issued at the end of each 3-year cycle if performance measures are met.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing reports a routine equity compensation grant to a senior executive, which is a standard practice for aligning management incentives with shareholder interests. It does not contain new information that would fundamentally alter the investment thesis for Avista Corp. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate as this event is neutral to the company's valuation and operational outlook.

Keywords

Avista Corp, AVA, Form 4, insider transaction, equity grant, restricted stock, performance shares, executive compensation