Form 4: Director Raymond W. McDaniel Acquires Phantom Stock Units in John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Director Raymond W. McDaniel acquired 472 phantom stock units of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. due to a quarterly dividend.

Summary

• Raymond W. McDaniel, a director at John Wiley & Sons, Inc., acquired 472 phantom stock units.
• These units were acquired as a result of a quarterly dividend payment.
• The transaction occurred on January 10, 2025, using the closing price of the company's Class A Common Stock on that day.
• The price per unit was $42.1.
• These phantom stock units are deferred under the John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors.
• The units will be settled in 100% John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Class A Common stock upon separation of service from the Board.
• Following this transaction, Mr. McDaniel beneficially owns 56,865 phantom stock units.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The document reflects a routine transaction related to director compensation, which is generally neutral to positive. The acquisition of stock units through a dividend is a positive sign of company performance.

Positives

• The acquisition of phantom stock units by a director demonstrates continued alignment with the company's performance.
• The dividend payment indicates a return of value to shareholders, including directors.

Future Outlook

The phantom stock units will be settled in Class A Common stock upon separation of service from the Board.

Industry Context

This transaction is a routine disclosure of insider activity, which is common for publicly traded companies. It reflects the compensation structure for board members and is not unusual in the publishing and education industry.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Many publicly traded companies use stock-based compensation, including phantom stock units, as part of their director compensation packages.
• The use of deferred compensation plans is also a common practice to align the interests of directors with the long-term performance of the company.
• Companies like Pearson, Cengage, and McGraw Hill also have similar compensation structures for their board members.

Stakeholder Impact

• The transaction has a minor positive impact on shareholders as it aligns director interests with company performance.
• The dividend payment is a positive signal for investors.

Key Dates

Keywords

phantom stock units, director, dividend, deferred compensation, John Wiley & Sons, WLY, WLYB, insider trading, beneficial ownership