Form 4: Guardant Health CFO's Routine Stock Vesting and Tax Sale

Guardant Health's CFO, Michael Brian Bell, reported multiple stock unit vestings and a tax-related share disposition on January 1, 2026.

Summary

• Michael Brian Bell, Chief Financial Officer of Guardant Health, Inc. (GH), reported several transactions on January 1, 2026, involving the company's common stock.
• These transactions included the acquisition of common stock through the vesting of various Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (PSUs).
• Specifically, 10,520 shares, 3,324 shares, 7,110 shares, and 2,084 shares of common stock were acquired at an exercise price of $0 due to the vesting of derivative securities.
• One performance-based RSU award, granted on June 7, 2023, with a 2-year vest period and achieved performance metric, vested 10,520 shares.
• A restricted stock unit award granted on November 8, 2024, saw 3,324 shares vest, representing a portion of a three-year vesting schedule.
• Another performance-based RSU award, granted on February 26, 2024, had 7,110 shares vest, following the achievement of a performance metric.
• A restricted stock unit award granted on December 13, 2023, resulted in 2,084 shares vesting as part of its three-year schedule.
• A total of 12,479 shares were disposed of at a price of $102.14 per share to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of an installment of restricted stock units.
• Following all reported transactions, Michael Brian Bell directly beneficially owns 40,224 shares of Guardant Health common stock.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The filing reflects routine, pre-scheduled vesting of executive equity compensation, indicating the achievement of performance metrics and continued executive tenure. The associated tax-related share disposition is a standard practice and does not suggest any unusual activity.

Positives

• Vesting of performance-based restricted stock units indicates the achievement of specific company performance metrics.
• Vesting of time-based restricted stock units reflects continued tenure and retention of a key executive.
• The transactions represent a scheduled conversion of equity awards into common stock, increasing the CFO's direct ownership before tax-related dispositions.

Negatives

• A significant number of shares (12,479) were disposed of to cover tax withholding obligations, reducing the direct beneficial ownership.

Future Outlook

A portion of a performance-based restricted stock unit award, specifically 34% of the shares granted on February 26, 2024, is scheduled to vest on January 1, 2027.

Industry Context

This Form 4 filing details routine insider transactions for a key executive, which are common in publicly traded companies as part of executive compensation plans. It does not provide information on broader industry trends or competitive landscape.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The transactions represent a routine part of executive compensation and do not indicate a significant change in company strategy or financial health. The disposition for tax purposes is a common occurrence.
• Employees: The vesting of performance-based units could signal achievement of company goals, potentially boosting morale.

Next Steps

• The remaining 34% of the performance-based restricted stock unit award granted on February 26, 2024, is scheduled to vest on January 1, 2027.

Key Dates

Keywords

Guardant Health, GH, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Restricted Stock Units, Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units, CFO, Michael Brian Bell, Stock Vesting, Tax Withholding