Form 4: IBM Director Alex Gorsky Increases Equity Stake Through Deferred Compensation Plan

IBM Director Alex Gorsky acquired 365 Promised Fee Shares through a deferred compensation plan, increasing his total beneficial ownership to 32,213 derivative securities.

Summary

• Alex Gorsky, a Director at International Business Machines Corp. (IBM), acquired 365 Promised Fee Shares on June 30, 2025.
• These shares were acquired as a deferral of fees under the terms of the IBM Board of Directors Deferred Compensation and Equity Award Plan.
• The Promised Fee Shares have a conversion or exercise price of $0.00 and are paid out after retirement in the company's common stock or cash.
• The value of each acquired derivative security was $294.78.
• Following this transaction, Alex Gorsky beneficially owns a total of 32,213 Promised Fee Shares.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The filing indicates a routine deferral of director compensation into equity, which is a positive sign of alignment between director interests and shareholder value, without any negative implications.

Positives

• Director Gorsky's acquisition of additional equity through a deferred compensation plan demonstrates continued commitment to IBM and aligns his financial interests with long-term shareholder value.
• The transaction is part of an established equity award plan, indicating a structured approach to director compensation that encourages long-term engagement.

Future Outlook

Promised Fee Shares acquired under the IBM Board of Directors Deferred Compensation and Equity Award Plan are paid out after retirement in the company's common stock or cash, with distribution deferred until retirement.

Industry Context

This transaction reflects a common practice in corporate governance where directors of publicly traded companies defer a portion of their compensation into equity, aligning their long-term financial interests with the company's performance and shareholder returns.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The document does not provide specific comparable companies, projects, or results for direct assessment against global benchmarks. However, the deferral of director compensation into equity is a common practice in corporate governance to align director interests with shareholder value.

Related Party Transactions

• Acquisition of 365 Promised Fee Shares by Director Alex Gorsky from International Business Machines Corp. under the IBM Board of Directors Deferred Compensation and Equity Award Plan.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The transaction aligns Director Alex Gorsky's financial interests with long-term shareholder value through increased equity ownership.
• Employees, Customers, Suppliers, Creditors: No direct impact from this specific compensation deferral filing.

Next Steps

• Distribution of the Promised Fee Shares to Alex Gorsky will occur upon his retirement from IBM.

Key Dates

Keywords

IBM, Alex Gorsky, Form 4, SEC filing, beneficial ownership, deferred compensation, equity award plan, director compensation, stock ownership