Form 4: Gartner CFO Safian's RSU Vesting, Tax Withholding

Gartner's EVP & CFO, Craig Safian, reported the vesting of Restricted Stock Units and subsequent tax-related share disposals on February 9, 2026.

Summary

• Craig Safian, EVP & CFO of Gartner Inc. (IT), reported transactions related to his beneficial ownership of common stock.
• On February 9, 2026, Safian acquired a total of 4,824 shares of Gartner common stock through the vesting of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).
• These RSUs convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis, with 2,641 shares from an RSU grant vesting annually since February 9, 2023, and 2,183 shares from an RSU grant vesting annually since February 9, 2024.
• Concurrently, 1,906 shares were disposed of to cover applicable income and payroll withholding taxes at a price of $159.75 per share.
• Following these transactions, Safian's direct beneficial ownership of Gartner common stock stands at 83,011 shares.
• The transactions were made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan, indicating pre-scheduled events.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral filing, as it reports routine executive compensation events (RSU vesting and tax-related share disposals) that are pre-scheduled and expected, with no new material information impacting company fundamentals.

Positives

• The vesting of Restricted Stock Units represents a scheduled compensation event for the EVP & CFO, indicating continued alignment of executive interests with shareholder value.
• The increase in direct beneficial ownership to 83,011 shares demonstrates ongoing executive investment in the company.

Negatives

• A portion of the vested shares (1,906 shares) was sold to cover tax obligations, which is a routine event and not indicative of a negative outlook.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that routine Form 4 filings, such as this one detailing RSU vesting and tax-related share disposals, are common across the technology and consulting sectors. These transactions reflect standard executive compensation practices and pre-arranged equity plans (Rule 10b5-1), which are designed to provide executives with equity incentives while mitigating concerns about insider trading. This filing is consistent with typical executive compensation reporting for a company like Gartner.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The practice of granting Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as a component of executive compensation is a widely adopted standard across industries, including technology and professional services.
• Companies like Accenture, IBM, and Cognizant frequently utilize RSUs to align executive incentives with long-term shareholder value.
• The one-for-one conversion of RSUs to common stock and the withholding of shares for tax purposes are also standard procedures.
• The vesting schedule (four equal annual installments) is typical for long-term incentive plans, comparable to those seen at peer companies, ensuring retention and performance alignment over several years.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The increase in the EVP & CFO's direct beneficial ownership aligns management's interests with shareholders, potentially fostering long-term value creation. The tax-related share sales are a routine part of executive compensation and have minimal impact.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing details routine, pre-scheduled executive compensation events (RSU vesting and tax-related share sales) under a 10b5-1 plan. Such transactions are expected and do not provide new material information about Gartner's operational performance, financial health, or strategic direction that would warrant a change in investment recommendation. The filing confirms ongoing executive equity ownership, which is generally a positive for alignment, but does not present a catalyst for a "buy" or "sell" decision. Therefore, a "hold" recommendation is appropriate, maintaining current positions based on broader company fundamentals and market conditions rather than this specific insider transaction report.

Keywords

Gartner Inc., IT, Craig Safian, EVP & CFO, SEC Form 4, Beneficial Ownership, Restricted Stock Units, RSU Vesting, Insider Transaction, Executive Compensation, Stock Withholding, Rule 10b5-1