Form 4: IonQ Director William F. Scannell Receives Restricted Stock Unit Grant

IonQ, Inc. Director William F. Scannell was granted 5,513 restricted stock units as part of his compensation, aligning his interests with the company's long-term performance.

Summary

• William F. Scannell, a Director of IonQ, Inc. (IONQ), reported the acquisition of 5,513 shares of Common Stock.
• The acquisition was in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) with an acquisition price of $0 per share.
• The transaction date for this grant was June 18, 2025.
• Following this transaction, William F. Scannell beneficially owns a total of 140,560 shares of IonQ Common Stock.
• The RSUs are set to vest in full on the earlier of (i) the date of the 2026 Annual Meeting (or the date immediately prior if service ends at such meeting), or (ii) June 18, 2026.
• Vesting is contingent upon Mr. Scannell's continued service as a member of the Board of Directors through the vesting date.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The filing reports a routine grant of restricted stock units to a director, which is a standard compensation practice and aligns the director's interests with shareholders, indicating a stable and expected corporate action.

Positives

• The grant of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to a director aligns their financial interests with the long-term performance and shareholder value of IonQ, Inc.
• Equity compensation is a standard practice that helps retain experienced board members.

Risks

• The vesting of the RSUs is subject to the reporting person's continued service as a director, meaning the shares could be forfeited if service ends prematurely.

Future Outlook

The granted Restricted Stock Units are scheduled to vest in full on the earlier of the 2026 Annual Meeting date or June 18, 2026, provided the director continues his service on the Board.

Industry Context

The grant of Restricted Stock Units to a director is a common and expected form of non-cash compensation in publicly traded companies, particularly in high-growth technology sectors like quantum computing, to incentivize long-term commitment and performance.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The practice of granting Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of director compensation is a widely adopted standard across various industries, including technology and emerging sectors like quantum computing.
• Companies such as Google (Alphabet), Microsoft, and Amazon frequently utilize RSU grants for their executives and board members to align their interests with shareholder value and promote long-term retention.
• The vesting schedule, typically tied to continued service over a period of 1-3 years, is also consistent with industry norms for such equity awards.

Related Party Transactions

• The grant of 5,513 Restricted Stock Units to William F. Scannell, a Director of IonQ, Inc., constitutes a related party transaction as it involves compensation from the company to a member of its board.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The RSU grant aligns the director's long-term interests with shareholder value, as the value of the compensation is tied to the company's stock performance.
• Employees: While not directly impacting employees, this type of compensation structure for leadership can set a precedent for equity-based incentives across the organization.

Next Steps

• The vesting of the 5,513 Restricted Stock Units will occur on the earlier of the 2026 Annual Meeting or June 18, 2026, subject to continued service.

Key Dates

Keywords

IonQ, IONQ, SEC Form 4, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Director Compensation, Insider Transaction, Equity Grant, William F. Scannell, Corporate Governance