Form 4: Church & Dwight Executive Acquires Phantom Stock Under Deferred Compensation Plan

Richard A. Dierker, EVP, CFO & Head of Business Operations at Church & Dwight Co., Inc., acquired phantom stock shares under the company's Deferred Compensation Plan on July 31, 2024.

Summary

• Richard A. Dierker, an executive at Church & Dwight Co., Inc., acquired phantom stock shares on July 31, 2024.
• The acquisition was made under the Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan.
• Dierker acquired 26.719 phantom stock shares at a price of $98.01 per share.
• These phantom stock shares convert to common stock on a 1-for-1 basis.
• The phantom stock shares are to be settled in cash at a time prescribed by the Plan.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The sentiment is neutral to positive. It reflects a routine transaction related to executive compensation, which is generally viewed as a positive aspect of corporate governance and incentivization.

Positives

• The acquisition of phantom stock aligns the executive's interests with the company's performance.
• The Deferred Compensation Plan provides a tax-advantaged way for executives to save for retirement.

Future Outlook

The phantom stock shares will be settled in cash at a future date as prescribed by the Deferred Compensation Plan.

Industry Context

Executive compensation packages often include phantom stock or similar instruments to incentivize performance and retain key personnel. Deferred compensation plans are a common tool for executives to defer income and reduce their current tax burden.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Deferred compensation plans are a common practice among publicly traded companies to attract and retain top executive talent.
• Companies like Procter & Gamble (PG) and Unilever (UL) also utilize various forms of deferred compensation and equity-based awards as part of their executive compensation packages.
• The specific terms and conditions of these plans can vary widely based on company size, industry, and individual executive agreements.

Stakeholder Impact

• The acquisition of phantom stock has a minor positive impact on shareholders as it aligns executive interests with company performance.
• Employees may view this as a standard part of executive compensation.

Key Dates