Form 4: Darling Ingredients CFO Reports Stock Transactions

Darling Ingredients' EVP Chief Financial Officer, Robert Day, reported the acquisition of 18,637 restricted stock units and the disposition of 2,483 common shares.

Summary

• Robert W. Day, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Darling Ingredients Inc., reported recent transactions involving the company's common stock.
• On January 3, 2026, Mr. Day disposed of 2,483 shares of common stock at a price of $37.64 per share.
• Following this disposition, Mr. Day beneficially owned 20,170 shares of common stock.
• On January 5, 2026, Mr. Day acquired 18,637 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) at a price of $37.56 per unit.
• These RSUs were issued under the Darling Ingredients Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan and will settle in shares of common stock on a one-to-one basis.
• The RSUs are scheduled to vest in three equal installments of 33-1/3% on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date.
• After the RSU acquisition, Mr. Day's direct beneficial ownership increased to 38,807 shares of common stock.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The filing reports routine insider transactions, including an RSU grant and a disposition likely for tax purposes. These are standard events and do not inherently indicate a positive or negative shift in company fundamentals or outlook, thus a neutral sentiment score is appropriate.

Positives

• The grant of 18,637 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to the EVP Chief Financial Officer aligns management's interests with long-term shareholder value through equity-based compensation.

Negatives

• The disposition of 2,483 shares of common stock by the EVP Chief Financial Officer, while likely for tax withholding purposes related to equity compensation, reduces direct share ownership.

Future Outlook

The Restricted Stock Units granted to the EVP Chief Financial Officer are scheduled to vest in three equal installments on the first three anniversaries of the January 5, 2026 grant date, indicating a future schedule for equity conversion.

Industry Context

This filing represents a routine insider transaction, common across publicly traded companies, where executives receive equity compensation (RSUs) as part of their remuneration package and may dispose of shares for tax purposes. Such transactions are standard practice and generally do not indicate specific industry trends.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as a form of executive compensation is a widely adopted practice across various industries, including the food and agricultural sector where Darling Ingredients operates. This aligns with common corporate governance practices aimed at incentivizing long-term performance.
• The vesting schedule of three equal annual installments is a typical structure for RSU awards, comparable to similar plans at companies like Tyson Foods (TSN) or Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM), which also utilize multi-year vesting to retain executives and align their interests with sustained company growth.

Corporate Governance

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The RSU grant aligns the EVP Chief Financial Officer's incentives with long-term shareholder value. The disposition is a minor, routine event.

Next Steps

• The Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) will vest in three equal installments on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the January 5, 2026 grant date.

Key Dates

Keywords

Darling Ingredients, DAR, Robert Day, EVP Chief Financial Officer, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Insider Transaction, Form 4, Equity Compensation, Stock Ownership