Form 4: FirstEnergy Director Reports Acquisition of Phantom Stock Units and Common Shares

FirstEnergy Corp. Director Jana T. Croom reported the acquisition of 1,055 phantom stock units as part of director compensation and increased common stock holdings through dividend reinvestments.

Summary

• Jana T. Croom, a Director of FirstEnergy Corp. (FE), reported changes in her beneficial ownership.
• Acquired 1,055 phantom stock units on July 1, 2025, as part of quarterly director compensation under the FirstEnergy Corp. 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan.
• These phantom stock units are deferred pursuant to the FirstEnergy Corp. Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors.
• The phantom stock units are convertible on a 1-for-1 basis to common stock or cash upon conclusion of service as a director.
• Beneficially owns a total of 10,919.9053 phantom stock units, which includes accrued dividends.
• Beneficially owns 2,701.412 shares of common stock, which includes shares acquired through dividend reinvestments.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is slightly positive as it indicates a director's continued accumulation of company equity through compensation and dividend reinvestment, aligning their interests with shareholders. It's a routine, expected transaction.

Positives

• Director Jana T. Croom increased her beneficial ownership of phantom stock units by 1,055 units, reflecting ongoing compensation and alignment with company performance.
• Common stock holdings increased through dividend reinvestments, indicating continued investment in the company.
• The deferred compensation plan for outside directors aligns director interests with long-term shareholder value.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

This Form 4 filing is a routine disclosure of insider transactions, specifically director compensation, and does not provide broader industry context or trends. It reflects standard corporate governance practices for compensating board members in the utility sector.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The compensation structure involving phantom stock units and dividend reinvestment is a common practice among publicly traded companies, particularly in the utility sector, to align director incentives with long-term shareholder value.
• While specific comparable companies or projects are not detailed in this filing, such compensation mechanisms are widely adopted by peers like Duke Energy, Exelon, and Southern Company, which also utilize equity-based compensation plans for their directors to foster long-term commitment and performance.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The acquisition of phantom stock units and common shares by a director aligns their interests with shareholders, potentially signaling confidence in the company's long-term performance. The deferred nature of the phantom stock units encourages long-term commitment.

Next Steps

• Phantom stock units will be paid in cash or shares of FirstEnergy Corp. common stock following the conclusion of service as a director.

Key Dates

Keywords

FirstEnergy Corp, FE, Jana T Croom, Director Compensation, Phantom Stock Units, SEC Form 4, Insider Transaction, Dividend Reinvestment, Deferred Compensation Plan, Beneficial Ownership