Form 4: Hayward Holdings Director Arthur Soucy Receives Restricted Stock Unit Grant

Hayward Holdings, Inc. Director Arthur L. Soucy was granted 1,382 restricted stock units, aligning his interests with shareholders.

Summary

• Arthur L. Soucy, a Director of Hayward Holdings, Inc. (HAYW), acquired 1,382 shares of common stock.
• The acquisition occurred on July 31, 2025, and represents a grant of restricted stock units (RSUs).
• Each restricted stock unit represents the contingent right to receive one share of the Issuer's common stock.
• The RSUs were granted at a price of $0 per unit, as is typical for equity compensation grants.
• Following this transaction, Arthur L. Soucy beneficially owns 45,487 shares of common stock.
• The restricted stock units are scheduled to vest on December 31, 2025, contingent upon Mr. Soucy's continuous service with the Issuer through that date.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The filing indicates a positive alignment of director interests with shareholders through equity compensation, a standard and generally well-regarded practice.

Positives

• The grant of restricted stock units to a director helps align management's interests with those of the shareholders, as the value of the compensation is tied to the company's stock performance.
• Equity compensation is a standard practice for retaining and incentivizing key personnel, including directors.

Risks

• The vesting of the restricted stock units is contingent upon the reporting person remaining in continuous service with the Issuer through December 31, 2025, meaning the shares are not immediately owned.

Future Outlook

The restricted stock units are set to vest on December 31, 2025, provided the director maintains continuous service with the company.

Industry Context

This transaction represents a routine equity compensation event for a director, common across publicly traded companies to incentivize long-term commitment and performance.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of restricted stock units as part of director compensation is a widely accepted practice in corporate governance, aligning with compensation structures seen in comparable companies within the manufacturing and consumer durables sectors.
• The vesting schedule, contingent on continuous service, is standard for such equity awards, similar to those offered by peers like Pool Corporation (POOL) or Pentair plc (PNR) for their non-employee directors.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The grant aligns the director's financial interests with shareholder value creation, potentially leading to more focused long-term decision-making.
• Employees: No direct impact on general employees is indicated by this specific filing.

Next Steps

• The restricted stock units will vest on December 31, 2025, assuming continuous service by the director.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing details a routine equity grant to a director, which is a standard compensation practice and does not provide new information that would fundamentally alter the investment thesis for Hayward Holdings, Inc. It reinforces alignment of interests but is not a catalyst for a change in stock recommendation.

Keywords

Hayward Holdings, HAYW, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Equity Grant, Insider Transaction, Director Compensation, SEC Form 4, Beneficial Ownership