Form 4: Director George Bell Acquires Phantom Stock Units in John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Director George Bell acquired 320 phantom stock units of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. through a quarterly deferral of cash retainer.

Summary

• George Bell, a director at John Wiley & Sons, Inc., acquired 320 phantom stock units on December 12, 2024.
• These units were acquired through a quarterly deferral of his cash retainer under the company's Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors.
• The phantom stock units are convertible to Class A Common stock on a one-for-one basis upon separation of service from the Board.
• The price of the underlying stock at the time of the transaction was $45.96.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Bell beneficially owns 36,037 phantom stock units.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The document reflects a routine insider transaction, which is generally neutral to positive. The director's continued investment in the company is a positive sign.

Positives

• The acquisition of phantom stock units demonstrates the director's continued investment and alignment with the company's long-term performance.
• The deferral of cash retainer into stock units can be seen as a positive sign of confidence in the company's future.

Future Outlook

The phantom stock units will be settled in Class A Common stock upon separation of service from the Board, with distribution options including a lump sum or installments over a period not exceeding 10 years.

Industry Context

This filing is a routine disclosure of insider transactions, which is common for publicly traded companies. It reflects the compensation structure for board members and their alignment with shareholder interests.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of phantom stock units as part of director compensation is a common practice among publicly traded companies.
• Many companies use similar deferred compensation plans to align the interests of directors with the long-term performance of the company.
• The specific terms of the plan, such as the vesting schedule and distribution options, are typical for these types of arrangements.

Stakeholder Impact

• The transaction has a minor positive impact on shareholders as it demonstrates the director's continued investment in the company.
• The transaction has no direct impact on employees, customers, suppliers, or creditors.

Key Dates

Keywords

phantom stock units, director, insider trading, deferred compensation, John Wiley & Sons, WLY, WLYB, equity securities