Form 4: BlackRock Director Susan Wagner Receives RSU Grant

BlackRock Director Susan Wagner was granted 214 Restricted Stock Units, valued at $1,170.18 per share, vesting upon re-election at the 2026 Annual Meeting.

Summary

• Susan Wagner, a Director at BlackRock, Inc. (BLK), was granted 214 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) on January 16, 2026.
• The RSUs were granted under the Third Amended and Restated BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.
• The value of each RSU was based on $1,170.18 per share, which was the average of the high and low price of Common Stock on January 16, 2026.
• These RSUs will vest upon Ms. Wagner's election or re-election at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
• Settlement of the shares will occur on the third anniversary of the grant date (January 16, 2029), unless the director elects to receive settlement upon ceasing to be a Board member (either in a lump sum or five equal annual installments).
• Following this transaction, Ms. Wagner beneficially owns 427,971 shares of Common Stock.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The filing reports a routine equity grant to a director, which is a positive for aligning interests but does not represent new material information that would significantly alter the company's outlook. It's a standard, expected event.

Positives

• The grant of Restricted Stock Units aligns the director's financial interests with those of the shareholders, promoting long-term value creation.
• Equity compensation is a standard practice for attracting and retaining qualified non-employee directors.

Future Outlook

The Restricted Stock Units are scheduled to vest upon the director's re-election at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and will be settled in shares of Common Stock on the third anniversary of the grant date, January 16, 2029, unless an earlier settlement election is made upon ceasing board membership.

Industry Context

The grant of Restricted Stock Units to non-employee directors is a common and widely accepted practice in the financial services industry and among large publicly traded companies. It serves as a key component of director compensation, aiming to align the interests of the board with long-term shareholder value.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• This type of equity grant is a standard compensation mechanism for non-employee directors across major financial institutions and S&P 500 companies, similar to practices at firms like JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley.
• The vesting schedule tied to re-election and a multi-year settlement period is consistent with corporate governance best practices designed to promote long-term commitment and oversight.

Corporate Governance

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The equity grant aligns the director's long-term interests with those of the shareholders, potentially fostering more shareholder-centric decision-making.
• Directors: Provides a component of compensation that incentivizes long-term commitment and performance.

Next Steps

• Susan Wagner's re-election at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will trigger the vesting of the granted RSUs.
• Settlement of the RSUs into shares of Common Stock on January 16, 2029, or earlier if an election is made upon ceasing board membership.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing reports a routine equity grant to a non-employee director as part of their compensation package. While it aligns the director's interests with shareholders, it does not provide new material information that would alter the fundamental investment thesis for BlackRock, warranting a 'hold' recommendation based solely on this filing.

Keywords

BlackRock, BLK, Susan Wagner, Form 4, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Director Compensation, Equity Grant, Insider Transaction