Form 4: John Wiley & Sons CFO Granted Over 10,000 Restricted Stock Units

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.'s EVP and Chief Financial Officer, Craig Morrow Albright, was granted 10,856 restricted stock units, vesting over four years.

Summary

• Craig Morrow Albright, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (WLY, WLYB), was granted 10,856 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).
• The grant date for these RSUs was June 26, 2025.
• Each Restricted Stock Unit converts into one share of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis.
• The RSUs are scheduled to vest in four equal annual installments, with the first vesting occurring on April 30th of the year following the grant date.
• The Restricted Stock Units are subject to forfeiture based on the specific terms and conditions of the grant.
• The filing of this Form 4 was delayed due to administrative issues in obtaining EDGAR Codes for the reporting person from the SEC.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The grant of RSUs to a key executive is generally positive as it aligns interests and promotes retention, though the late filing is a minor administrative negative.

Positives

• The grant of 10,856 Restricted Stock Units to the Chief Financial Officer aligns management's long-term interests with shareholder value.
• The four-year vesting schedule for the RSUs promotes the retention of a key executive.

Negatives

• The Form 4 filing was submitted late due to administrative delays in obtaining EDGAR Codes for the reporting person.

Risks

• The Restricted Stock Units are subject to forfeiture under the terms and conditions of the grant, meaning the CFO may not ultimately receive all shares if specific conditions are not met.

Future Outlook

The grant of Restricted Stock Units with a four-year vesting schedule indicates a long-term incentive for the Chief Financial Officer, aligning future performance with executive compensation and promoting retention.

Management Comments

• No direct management comments or quotes were provided in this filing.

Industry Context

This type of executive compensation, specifically the grant of Restricted Stock Units, is a standard practice across various industries, including publishing and education services. It is commonly used to incentivize long-term performance and retain key executives by aligning their compensation with the company's stock performance and shareholder value.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as executive compensation is a common practice in the publishing and information services industry, similar to companies like Pearson plc, RELX Group, or Thomson Reuters, which frequently utilize equity-based incentives.
• A four-year vesting schedule for RSUs is a typical industry standard, providing a balance between immediate incentive and long-term retention, comparable to practices observed at many publicly traded companies.
• The grant price of $0 for RSUs is standard for compensatory grants, as these are awarded as part of an executive's compensation package rather than purchased.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The grant of RSUs aligns the CFO's interests with shareholder value, potentially leading to improved long-term company performance.
• Management: The CFO receives long-term equity incentives, which can enhance retention and motivate performance.

Next Steps

• The Restricted Stock Units will vest in four equal annual installments, with the first vesting occurring on April 30, 2026, and subsequent vestings on April 30th of each following year.

Key Dates

Recommendation

Keywords

John Wiley & Sons, WLY, WLYB, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Executive Compensation, SEC Form 4, Insider Transaction, CFO, Craig Morrow Albright