Form 4: Coherent Corp. EVP Receives RSU Grant, New Attorneys-in-Fact Appointed

Coherent Corp.'s EVP of Legal, Robert P. Beard, was granted 14,453 restricted stock units, vesting annually over three years starting August 2026, while new substitute attorneys-in-fact were appointed for SEC filings.

Summary

• Robert P. Beard, Executive Vice President, Legal of Coherent Corp. (COHR), was granted 14,453 shares of common stock on August 28, 2025.
• These shares represent a restricted stock unit (RSU) award with a grant price of $0.
• The RSU award will vest in three equal annual installments, with the first installment commencing on August 28, 2026.
• Following this transaction, Robert P. Beard beneficially owns a total of 53,826 shares of Coherent Corp. common stock.
• The total beneficial ownership includes 285 shares acquired through Coherent Corp.'s employee stock purchase plan in non-reportable transactions.
• A Substitute Power of Attorney was executed on March 18, 2025, appointing Chris Forrester and Yian Huang as substitute attorneys-in-fact for several individuals, including Robert P. Beard, to execute SEC Forms 3, 4, and 5.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The grant of restricted stock units to a key executive is a positive for aligning management incentives with shareholder value and retaining talent. However, the filing is primarily administrative and routine, so the overall impact on sentiment is moderately positive rather than significantly impactful.

Positives

• The grant of restricted stock units to a key executive like Robert P. Beard aligns management's long-term interests with those of shareholders.
• The multi-year vesting schedule for the RSU award encourages executive retention and sustained performance over time.

Negatives

• The RSU grant does not provide immediate liquidity or cash compensation to the executive, as the shares vest over time.

Future Outlook

The vesting schedule for the restricted stock units indicates a commitment to executive retention and performance over the next three years, with the first vesting occurring in August 2026. The appointment of new attorneys-in-fact ensures ongoing administrative efficiency for insider reporting compliance.

Management Comments

• "We accept this appointment and substitution." (Chris Forrester and Yian Huang, regarding their appointment as substitute attorneys-in-fact).

Industry Context

Granting restricted stock units is a common practice in executive compensation across various industries, particularly in technology and manufacturing sectors like Coherent Corp.'s, to align executive incentives with long-term company performance and shareholder interests. The administrative update to powers of attorney is a routine corporate governance measure.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of restricted stock units (RSUs) with multi-year vesting is a standard practice for executive compensation in public companies, comparable to practices at peers in the advanced materials and photonics industry.
• A $0 grant price for RSUs is typical, as these awards represent a right to receive shares upon vesting, often tied to continued employment or performance conditions, rather than a purchase.

Management Changes

Corporate Governance

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Potential positive impact from increased executive alignment with long-term company performance due to the RSU grant.
• Employees: No direct impact mentioned beyond the executive receiving the RSU grant.

Next Steps

• Robert P. Beard's RSU award will vest in three equal annual installments, with the first vesting occurring on August 28, 2026.
• Chris Forrester and Yian Huang will continue to act as attorneys-in-fact for the listed individuals for SEC Section 16 filings.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This filing details a routine executive compensation grant and an administrative update to a power of attorney. While the RSU grant aligns executive interests with shareholders, it does not present new information that would fundamentally alter the company's valuation or strategic outlook to warrant a change in investment recommendation. It's a standard operational disclosure.

Keywords

Coherent Corp, COHR, Robert P. Beard, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Executive Compensation, Insider Trading, SEC Form 4, Power of Attorney, Corporate Governance