Form 4: EchoStar Director Reports Stock Transactions

EchoStar Corp. director R. Stanton Dodge reported transactions involving Class A Common Stock and stock options, including the automatic exercise of options and withholding of shares for taxes.

Summary

• R. Stanton Dodge, a Director at EchoStar Corp., reported transactions on July 1, 2026.
• These transactions involved the acquisition and disposal of Class A Common Stock.
• Specifically, 5,000 shares were acquired at $24.49 per share, and 1,214 shares were disposed of at $100.88 per share.
• The disposal of 1,214 shares was to cover the exercise price of an option and tax obligations.
• Dodge also holds 1,642 shares indirectly through a 401(K) plan.
• An option for 5,000 shares with an exercise price of $24.49 was automatically exercised on July 1, 2026, as per the Issuer's 2017 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral filing, as it reports routine insider transactions related to stock options and tax withholdings, without indicating significant positive or negative shifts in beneficial ownership or company outlook.

Positives

• Director R. Stanton Dodge's stock options were automatically exercised, indicating a potential benefit from the stock's performance or plan terms.
• The exercise of options and subsequent withholding of shares for taxes suggests a liquidity event for the director.
• The underlying shares for the option were 100% vested upon grant, indicating full entitlement.

Negatives

• 1,214 shares were disposed of to cover the exercise price of an option and tax obligations, implying a cost to the reporting person.
• The disposal price of $100.88 for 1,214 shares is significantly higher than the acquisition price of $24.49 for 5,000 shares, but the disposal was to cover costs, not necessarily a profit-taking sale.

Risks

• The filing does not explicitly mention any new risks or challenges.
• Potential future tax implications for the director related to stock option exercises.

Future Outlook

The filing does not contain forward-looking statements or guidance.

Management Comments

• The transactions reported herein were automatically effected upon the expiration of the option pursuant to the terms of the Issuer's 2017 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan and NED Stock Option Agreement.
• Represents shares withheld by the Issuer to cover the exercise price of the option and certain tax obligations in connection with the automatic exercise of the vested options listed in Table II.
• The shares underlying the option were 100% vested upon the date of the grant.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that Form 4 filings are standard disclosures for insider transactions, providing transparency into the trading activities of company directors and officers. This specific filing details routine option exercises and share withholdings, common for non-employee directors.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Increased transparency into director's stock transactions.

Next Steps

• Continued monitoring of R. Stanton Dodge's beneficial ownership and any future transactions.

Key Dates

Keywords

EchoStar Corp, ECHO, Form 4, Stock Transaction, Director, Stock Option, Class A Common Stock, Beneficial Ownership, SEC Filing, Insider Trading