Form 4: Curtiss-Wright CFO Gains Performance Shares, Sells for Tax

Curtiss-Wright's Executive VP and CFO, K. Christopher Farkas, acquired performance shares and subsequently sold a portion to cover tax obligations.

Summary

• K. Christopher Farkas, Executive VP and CFO of Curtiss-Wright Corporation, acquired 5,770 shares of common stock on February 3, 2026.
• These shares were acquired through a performance share grant under the Company's 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan, based on the company's three-year total shareholder return against its peer group.
• The shares vested at a price of $674.32 per share, based on the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange on the vesting date.
• Following this acquisition, Farkas beneficially owned 10,023 shares of common stock.
• On February 4, 2026, Farkas sold 2,665 shares of common stock at an average price of $626.33 per share.
• The sale was conducted to cover individual income tax obligations associated with the vesting of the award, in compliance with the company's share ownership guidelines.
• After the sale, Farkas beneficially owned 7,358 shares of common stock.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a moderately positive event, reflecting successful achievement of performance targets by management, offset by a routine tax-related share sale.

Positives

• Executive VP and CFO K. Christopher Farkas received a performance share grant, indicating the company's achievement of performance targets relative to its peer group over a three-year period.
• The vesting price of the shares was $674.32, reflecting a high valuation for Curtiss-Wright Common Stock at the time of vesting.

Negatives

• The shares sold by the executive to cover tax obligations were at an average price of $626.33, which is lower than the vesting price of $674.32.

Future Outlook

No forward-looking statements or guidance are provided in this Form 4 filing.

Management Comments

• Shares were acquired through a performance share grant under the Company's 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan, based on the Company's three-year total shareholder return against the performance of its peer group.
• Shares were sold in compliance with the Company's share ownership guidelines, allowing the executive to sell a portion of vested shares to cover individual income tax obligations associated with the vesting of the award.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that performance-based equity grants are a common practice in executive compensation across various industries, aligning management incentives with shareholder returns. The subsequent sale of shares to cover tax liabilities is also a standard and expected event following the vesting of such awards.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Performance share grants tied to total shareholder return against a peer group are a widely adopted best practice in executive compensation, aligning executive interests with long-term company performance and shareholder value creation. Companies like General Electric (GE) and Raytheon Technologies (RTX), often considered peers in the industrial/aerospace defense sector, utilize similar long-term incentive structures.
• The practice of executives selling a portion of vested shares to cover tax obligations is standard across publicly traded companies and is generally viewed as a routine financial management action rather than a signal of lack of confidence in the company.

Corporate Governance

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The performance share grant indicates that the company met its three-year total shareholder return targets relative to its peer group, which is a positive signal for shareholders. The subsequent tax-related sale is a routine event and not typically indicative of management's view on future stock performance.

Key Dates

Keywords

Curtiss-Wright Corporation, CW, Insider Transaction, Form 4, Performance Share Grant, Executive Compensation, Stock Sale, Tax Obligations, Beneficial Ownership