Form 4: Belden VP and CAO Doug Zink Acquires Shares Through Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Belden Inc.'s VP and CAO, Doug Zink, acquired 219 shares of common stock at $96.62 per share through the company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Summary

• Doug Zink, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) of Belden Inc. (BDC), acquired 219 shares of common stock on July 10, 2025.
• The shares were purchased at a price of $96.62 per share.
• This acquisition was made through the Belden Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), which allows employees to purchase shares at 85% of the lesser of the stock price at the beginning (January 1, 2025) or end (June 30, 2025) of the offering period, funded by payroll deductions.
• Following this transaction, Doug Zink directly owns 8,642 shares and indirectly owns 1,141.7501 shares through the Belden Retirement Savings Plan.
• A Limited Power of Attorney, executed on March 11, 2025, grants Brian E. Anderson and Elizabeth Schepers, and any duly appointed Corporate Secretary of Belden Inc., the authority to prepare, execute, and file SEC Forms 3, 4, 5, and 144 on behalf of Doug Zink.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The acquisition of shares by a key executive, even through an ESPP, generally indicates a positive sentiment towards the company's future prospects. However, it is a routine transaction and not indicative of significant new positive developments.

Positives

• Management (Doug Zink) is increasing their direct ownership in the company, which can be interpreted as a sign of confidence in Belden Inc.'s future prospects.
• The acquisition was made through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which typically offers a discount on the share price, providing a benefit to the participating employee.

Future Outlook

This document does not provide any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future performance or strategic direction. It is a report on an insider transaction.

Management Comments

• Shares acquired through the Belden Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the 'Plan'). The Plan is broadly available to employees of Belden Inc. and its subsidiaries. Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the purchase price is 85% of the lesser of (i) the price at the beginning of the offering period (January 1, 2025) or (ii) the price at the end of the offering period (June 30, 2025). Employees elect their level of participation and the purchases are funded via payroll deductions through the offering period.

Industry Context

This Form 4 filing is a routine disclosure of an insider stock transaction and does not provide information relevant to broader industry trends or competitive analysis. It reflects an individual executive's participation in an employee stock purchase plan, a common benefit across many industries.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• This document is a standard insider trading report (Form 4) and does not contain information that allows for a comparison of company performance against industry benchmarks or specific comparable companies/projects.
• The transaction itself, an acquisition through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), is a common practice across many industries to encourage employee ownership and align employee interests with shareholders.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• The acquisition of shares through the Belden Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan represents a transaction between an insider (Doug Zink) and the company, which is a standard employee benefit program.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Increased insider ownership may be viewed positively as a sign of management confidence.
• Employees: The existence and utilization of an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) demonstrates a mechanism for employees to gain ownership in the company, aligning their interests with shareholders.

Next Steps

• Continued participation in the Belden Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan by eligible employees.
• Future routine SEC filings (Forms 3, 4, 5) as required for insider transactions by Doug Zink.

Key Dates

Recommendation

Keywords

Belden Inc., BDC, Doug Zink, Form 4, Insider Trading, Stock Acquisition, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, ESPP, Corporate Officer, SEC Filing, Common Stock