Form 4: DUOS Technologies CEO Increases Stake Through Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Charles Parker Ferry, CEO and Director of DUOS Technologies Group, Inc., acquired 662 shares of common stock through the company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan at a price of $6.0435 per share.

Summary

• Charles Parker Ferry, the CEO and Director of DUOS Technologies Group, Inc. (DUOT), acquired 662 shares of the company's Common Stock.
• The transaction occurred on June 30, 2025, and the shares were purchased at a price of $6.0435 per share.
• This acquisition was made pursuant to the Duos Technologies Group, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) and is exempt under Rule 16b-3(c).
• The purchase price of $6.0435 per share was based on 85% of the closing price of the Common Stock on the relevant measurement date, as per the ESPP terms.
• Following this transaction, Charles Parker Ferry beneficially owns 4,396 shares directly, 9,773 shares held in a joint account with his spouse, and 522,889 shares granted under the Issuer's 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, which are subject to a three-year cliff vesting period and will fully vest on January 1, 2028.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The acquisition of shares by the CEO, particularly through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, generally indicates management confidence in the company's future prospects and aligns their interests with shareholders. This is a positive signal, though the transaction size is relatively small compared to total holdings.

Positives

• CEO Charles Parker Ferry acquired 662 shares of common stock, signaling management's confidence in the company's future.
• The acquisition was made through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), which aligns management and employee interests with shareholder value.
• The shares were purchased at a discounted price of $6.0435 per share, representing 85% of the closing price on the measurement date, which is favorable for the insider.

Risks

• A substantial portion of the CEO's beneficial ownership, specifically 522,889 shares, is subject to a three-year cliff vesting period, with all shares vesting on January 1, 2028, which could lead to a significant increase in tradable shares at that time.

Future Outlook

The document primarily details a past insider transaction and current beneficial ownership. The only forward-looking aspect is the specified vesting date of January 1, 2028, for 522,889 shares granted under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, indicating a future date when these shares will become fully owned by the CEO.

Management Comments

• The reporting person is voluntarily reporting the acquisition of shares of the Issuer's Common Stock pursuant to the Duos Technologies Group, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"). The transaction is also exempt under Rule 16b-3(c).
• In accordance with the ESPP, these shares were purchased based on 85% of the closing price of the Common Stock on the relevant measurement date.
• These shares owned by the reporting person are held in a joint account with the reporting person's spouse.
• The shares were granted pursuant to the Issuer's 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, and are subject to a three-year cliff vesting period. All of the shares vest on January 1, 2028.

Industry Context

This Form 4 filing reports an insider stock acquisition, a routine disclosure across publicly traded companies. While it doesn't offer specific industry trends, the CEO's purchase can be interpreted as a positive signal of confidence in DUOS Technologies' performance within its sector, aligning management's financial interests with the company's success.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• This document is a standard SEC Form 4 filing, which adheres to the regulatory requirements for reporting insider transactions in the U.S. market.
• The acquisition through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) at a discount (85% of closing price) is a common and widely accepted feature of such corporate benefit programs across various industries.
• The disclosure of direct, indirect (joint account), and unvested equity incentive plan holdings aligns with typical transparency standards for executive compensation and ownership.

Related Party Transactions

• 9,773 shares are held in a joint account with the reporting person's spouse, which is a common form of indirect beneficial ownership.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The CEO's acquisition of shares may be perceived as a positive indicator of management's belief in the company's value, potentially boosting investor confidence.
• Employees: The existence of an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) demonstrates a commitment to broader employee ownership and alignment with company performance.

Next Steps

• Monitoring the vesting of 522,889 shares on January 1, 2028, which will result in these shares becoming fully owned by the CEO and could lead to future Form 4 filings upon any subsequent disposition.

Key Dates

Keywords

DUOS Technologies, DUOT, SEC Form 4, Insider Trading, Stock Acquisition, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, CEO Stock Purchase, Charles Parker Ferry, Equity Incentive Plan, Beneficial Ownership