Form 4: Hayward Holdings CEO Exercises, Sells Shares

Hayward Holdings President and CEO Kevin Holleran exercised stock options and subsequently sold 52,390 shares of common stock under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 trading plan.

Summary

• Kevin Holleran, President and CEO of Hayward Holdings, Inc., exercised 52,390 stock options at an exercise price of $1.4 per share on January 5, 2026.
• Concurrently, Holleran sold 52,390 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $15.9935 per share on January 5, 2026.
• The sales were executed in multiple transactions ranging from $15.7950 to $16.0750.
• These transactions were conducted pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted on March 11, 2025.
• Following these transactions, Holleran directly beneficially owns 623,540 shares of common stock and indirectly owns 700 shares through Child A.
• Holleran no longer reports beneficial interest in 700 shares previously held by a child who moved out of the household.
• Holleran retains 2,462,181 stock options with an exercise price of $1.4, exercisable from August 12, 2021, and expiring on December 24, 2029.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The transaction is neutral. While an executive sale can be seen negatively, the fact that it was pre-planned under a 10b5-1 plan mitigates concerns about immediate insider sentiment. It represents a routine liquidity event for the executive.

Positives

• The transactions were executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, indicating a planned and not reactive sale.
• The exercise of options at a low price ($1.4) and sale at a significantly higher price ($15.9935) demonstrates a profitable transaction for the executive.

Negatives

• An executive selling shares, even under a 10b5-1 plan, can sometimes be perceived as a lack of confidence in the company's near-term stock price appreciation, although this is mitigated by the pre-planned nature.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

NA

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: May view the executive sale with slight caution, though the 10b5-1 plan reduces the negative signal. The executive still holds a significant number of shares and options.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The filing details a pre-planned insider transaction (exercise and sale of options) by the CEO. While it's a sale, the execution under a Rule 10b5-1 plan suggests a liquidity event rather than a reactive decision based on new material non-public information. The executive retains a substantial number of shares and options. This filing alone does not provide sufficient new information to warrant a change in investment thesis; therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate, pending further fundamental analysis of the company's performance and outlook.

Keywords

Hayward Holdings, HAYW, Kevin Holleran, SEC Form 4, Insider Trading, Stock Options, Share Sale, 10b5-1 Plan, Executive Compensation