Form 4: GoDaddy Director Herald Chen Acquires 1,397 Restricted Stock Units, Boosting Beneficial Ownership

GoDaddy Inc. Director Herald Y Chen has acquired 1,397 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) which will vest prior to the next annual stockholders meeting, increasing his beneficial ownership to 18,657 shares of Class A Common Stock.

Summary

• Herald Y Chen, a Director of GoDaddy Inc. (GDDY), acquired 1,397 shares of Class A Common Stock on June 4, 2025.
• These shares are Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) granted as part of his compensation.
• The RSUs will vest fully on the day immediately prior to GoDaddy's next annual meeting of stockholders, contingent on Mr. Chen's continued service as a Service Provider for the Issuer.
• Upon vesting, Mr. Chen will receive actual shares of Class A Common Stock.
• Following this acquisition, Mr. Chen's direct beneficial ownership of GoDaddy's Class A Common Stock totals 18,657 shares.
• The transaction price for the RSUs was reported as $0, which is typical for equity grants.
• A Power of Attorney dated March 31, 2025, authorizes Jessica Craig, Fabiana Dixon, and Marc Padwe to sign and file SEC forms on behalf of Herald Y Chen.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The filing reports a routine grant of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to a director, which is a positive sign of continued alignment between management and shareholder interests through equity compensation, though it is a standard disclosure rather than a significant new development.

Positives

• The acquisition of additional shares (RSUs) by a director indicates continued alignment of interests with shareholders.
• The grant of RSUs is a common form of equity compensation, incentivizing long-term commitment and performance from the director.

Risks

• The vesting of the 1,397 Restricted Stock Units is subject to Herald Y Chen's continuing to be a Service Provider for GoDaddy Inc., meaning unvested RSUs may be forfeited if his service terminates.

Future Outlook

The 1,397 Restricted Stock Units are set to vest fully on the day immediately prior to GoDaddy's next annual meeting of stockholders, which will result in an increase in Mr. Chen's direct shareholding upon conversion to Class A Common Stock.

Industry Context

This Form 4 filing represents a routine insider transaction related to equity compensation. The grant of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to directors is a common practice across publicly traded companies, particularly in the technology sector where GoDaddy operates, serving to align the interests of directors with those of shareholders and incentivize long-term performance.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to directors is a standard practice in corporate compensation across various industries, including technology, and is utilized by major companies such as Microsoft, Apple, and Google to incentivize long-term commitment.
• The reported $0 price for the RSU acquisition is standard for equity grants, as it represents a grant of units rather than a cash purchase.
• The specific number of shares granted (1,397) and the resulting beneficial ownership (18,657) would typically be evaluated against the director's overall compensation package and the company's market capitalization to determine if it aligns with typical compensation structures for directors at companies of GoDaddy's scale.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• The grant of Restricted Stock Units to Herald Y Chen, a director of GoDaddy Inc., constitutes a related party transaction, which is a standard practice for director compensation.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The RSU grant aligns the director's financial interests with those of the shareholders, as the value of the RSUs is directly tied to the company's stock performance, potentially encouraging decisions that enhance shareholder value.

Next Steps

• The 1,397 Restricted Stock Units are expected to vest on the day immediately prior to GoDaddy's next annual meeting of stockholders, at which point Herald Y Chen will receive shares of Class A Common Stock.

Key Dates

Recommendation

Keywords

GoDaddy, GDDY, Herald Y Chen, Director, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Equity Compensation, Insider Transaction, Form 4, SEC Filing, Stock Ownership