Form 4: Equitable Holdings CEO Sells Shares Under 10b5-1 Plan

Equitable Holdings President and CEO Mark Pearson exercised stock options and sold a portion of his shares under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 trading plan.

Summary

• Mark Pearson, President and CEO of Equitable Holdings, Inc. (EQH), engaged in transactions involving company common stock on February 18, 2026.
• Pearson exercised 27,200 employee stock options at an exercise price of $23.18 per share.
• He subsequently sold 39,700 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $45.5 per share, with individual trades ranging from $45.1000 to $45.7200.
• These transactions were executed pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted by Pearson on May 16, 2025.
• Following these reported transactions, Pearson beneficially owns 763,455.01 shares of common stock and 136,000 employee stock options.
• The beneficially owned common stock includes Restricted Stock Units and 11,011 shares acquired under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral event. While there is insider selling, it is part of a pre-established 10b5-1 plan, which mitigates any negative sentiment typically associated with executive share sales.

Positives

• The exercise of options indicates a realization of value from previously granted equity compensation.
• The transactions were conducted under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, which suggests a planned liquidity event rather than a reaction to new, non-public information.

Negatives

• The sale of 39,700 shares by a key executive could be perceived as a reduction in direct ownership, although it is part of a planned strategy.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that insider transactions, particularly those executed under Rule 10b5-1 plans, are common practice for executives managing their equity compensation and personal financial planning. These transactions typically do not reflect a change in the company's operational outlook or strategic direction, but rather a pre-scheduled liquidity event.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The sale of shares by a CEO could be interpreted in various ways, but the 10b5-1 plan context suggests it is a routine personal financial management activity rather than a signal about company performance.
• Employees: No direct impact on employees is indicated by this filing.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The filing details a routine insider transaction under a pre-established 10b5-1 plan, which does not provide new fundamental information about Equitable Holdings' operational performance or future prospects. Therefore, it does not warrant a change in investment recommendation based solely on this report.

Keywords

Equitable Holdings, EQH, Mark Pearson, Insider Trading, Form 4, Stock Options, Share Sale, 10b5-1 Plan, CEO, Director, Equity Compensation