Form 4: Hayward Holdings SVP Collins Vests Performance RSUs

Hayward Holdings' SVP Chief Commercial Officer, John Alec Collins, vested 2,591 performance-based restricted stock units, subsequently disposing of shares for tax obligations.

Summary

• John Alec Collins, SVP Chief Commercial Officer of Hayward Holdings, Inc. (HAYW), reported transactions on March 2, 2026.
• Collins acquired 2,591 shares of common stock at a price of $0, resulting from the vesting of performance-based restricted stock units (RSUs).
• These RSUs were originally granted on March 2, 2023, and their payout was contingent on achieving specific performance criteria related to adjusted EBITDA and return on gross invested capital over a three-year period.
• The Compensation Committee certified the performance achievement on March 2, 2026, authorizing the vesting of the award.
• Following the vesting, Collins disposed of 737 shares at $15.98 and 4,423 shares at $16.00 to cover tax withholding obligations.
• After these transactions, Collins' direct beneficial ownership of Hayward Holdings common stock stands at 318,013 shares.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a moderately positive signal, indicating that Hayward Holdings achieved its performance targets for the three-year period, leading to the vesting of executive compensation. The subsequent share dispositions are for tax purposes and are a standard, neutral event.

Positives

• Vesting of 2,591 performance-based restricted stock units indicates the achievement of specific company performance criteria (adjusted EBITDA and and return on gross invested capital) over a three-year period.
• The Compensation Committee certified the performance, confirming the company met its targets for the RSU payout.

Negatives

• Disposition of 5,160 shares (737 + 4,423) to cover tax withholding obligations, which is a standard practice for RSU vesting but reduces the insider's direct holdings.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that the vesting of performance-based restricted stock units is a common executive compensation practice, aligning management incentives with long-term company performance. The successful vesting suggests Hayward Holdings met its internal financial targets, which could be viewed positively within the industry.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of performance-based restricted stock units tied to metrics like Adjusted EBITDA and Return on Gross Invested Capital is a standard practice in executive compensation across various industries, including manufacturing and consumer durables.
• Companies like Pool Corporation (POOL) and Pentair plc (PNR), competitors in the pool and spa equipment sector, also utilize similar long-term incentive plans to motivate executives and align their interests with shareholder value creation.
• The specific performance thresholds and payout structures would need to be compared to peers to assess competitiveness, but the general mechanism is consistent with global benchmarks for executive incentive programs.

Related Party Transactions

• The vesting of performance-based restricted stock units and subsequent share dispositions for tax withholding are transactions between an executive (related party) and the company, representing a form of executive compensation.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The vesting of performance-based awards suggests the company met its financial targets, which could be viewed positively. The slight reduction in direct insider ownership due to tax withholding is a routine event.
• Employees: The successful vesting of executive compensation may signal a healthy company performance environment.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing primarily details the routine vesting of performance-based restricted stock units and subsequent tax-related share dispositions by a key executive. While the vesting indicates the company met its performance targets, it does not represent a new investment decision by the insider or significant new information that would warrant a change in investment recommendation. It's a standard compensation event, suggesting a 'hold' position as it doesn't provide strong signals for either buying or selling based solely on this filing.

Keywords

Hayward Holdings, HAYW, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Restricted Stock Units, RSU Vesting, Performance-Based Compensation, Executive Compensation, John Alec Collins, SVP Chief Commercial Officer, Stock Ownership, Tax Withholding