Form 4: IBM Director Michelle J. Howard Acquires Shares Through Deferred Compensation Plan

IBM director Michelle J. Howard acquired 357 shares of common stock through a deferred compensation plan.

Summary

• Michelle J. Howard, a director at IBM, acquired 357 shares of IBM common stock on September 30, 2024.
• The shares were acquired through the IBM Board of Directors Deferred Compensation and Equity Award Plan.
• These shares are considered 'Promised Fee Shares' and will be distributed after retirement.
• The price per share was $221.08.
• Following this transaction, Ms. Howard directly owns 13,938 shares of IBM common stock.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The transaction is a routine insider purchase, which is generally viewed as a neutral to slightly positive sign. It indicates the director's confidence in the company.

Positives

• The acquisition of shares by a director can be seen as a positive sign of confidence in the company's future.

Industry Context

This is a routine transaction for a director of a public company, and is not unusual in the technology sector. Directors often receive compensation in the form of company stock.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Many large technology companies use deferred compensation plans as part of their executive and director compensation packages.
• Stock grants and deferred stock awards are common methods to align the interests of directors with those of shareholders.
• The use of Form 4 filings is standard practice for reporting insider transactions in publicly traded companies, such as IBM, Microsoft, Apple, and Google.

Stakeholder Impact

• The transaction has a minor positive impact on shareholders as it shows director confidence in the company.

Key Dates

Keywords

IBM, director, Michelle J. Howard, share acquisition, deferred compensation, equity award plan, insider trading, Form 4