Form 4: Coursera CFO Sells Shares After Option Exercise

Coursera's Chief Financial Officer, Kenneth R. Hahn, reported the exercise of stock options and subsequent sale of a portion of his shares, alongside tax-related withholdings.

Summary

• Kenneth R. Hahn, SVP, Chief Financial Officer of Coursera, Inc. (COUR), reported transactions involving company common stock.
• On August 14, 2025, Mr. Hahn acquired 49,503 shares of common stock by exercising stock options at a price of $6.06 per share.
• On August 14, 2025, he sold 75,000 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $11.87 per share, with prices ranging from $11.835 to $11.915.
• On August 15, 2025, he sold an additional 25,000 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $11.92 per share, with prices ranging from $11.88 to $12.086.
• Also on August 15, 2025, a total of 46,806 shares (42,906 and 3,900) were withheld by the issuer to cover tax liabilities related to the vesting of restricted stock units, at a price of $11.91 per share.
• Following these transactions, Mr. Hahn's direct beneficial ownership of Coursera common stock decreased to 1,004,047 shares.
• He still holds 785,923 unexercised stock options.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is neutral to slightly positive. While there are insider sales, a significant portion is for tax purposes, and the sales follow an option exercise, which is a common and expected event for executives. The CFO retains a substantial equity stake, indicating continued alignment with company performance.

Positives

• Exercise of stock options indicates the insider is realizing value from previously granted equity, which can be seen as a positive for the individual.
• The sale prices ($11.87 and $11.92) are significantly higher than the option exercise price ($6.06), indicating a profitable transaction for the CFO.
• Mr. Hahn retains a substantial holding of 1,004,047 direct shares and 785,923 derivative shares, indicating continued alignment with shareholder interests.

Negatives

• The CFO sold a total of 100,000 shares through open market transactions, representing a reduction in his direct equity stake in the company.
• Net decrease in direct beneficial ownership by 97,303 shares.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

NA

Related Party Transactions

• Kenneth R. Hahn, SVP, Chief Financial Officer of Coursera, Inc., engaged in transactions involving the company's common stock.
• These transactions included the exercise of stock options, open market sales of shares, and the withholding of shares by the issuer to cover tax obligations related to equity vesting.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders may view the insider sales as a slight negative, as it reduces the CFO's direct equity exposure, though the sales are common for diversification and tax planning.
• The transactions are part of standard executive compensation practices and do not indicate a change in company strategy or financial health.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The filing details routine insider transactions by the CFO, including option exercises and sales for diversification and tax purposes. While there's a net reduction in direct shares, the CFO retains a substantial stake, and the transactions do not signal any fundamental change in the company's prospects. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate as this filing alone does not provide new information warranting a change in investment thesis.

Keywords

Coursera, COUR, SEC Form 4, Insider Trading, Stock Option Exercise, Share Sale, CFO, Kenneth R. Hahn, Equity Compensation, Restricted Stock Units