Form 4: Keysight SVP Li Acquires 2,982 Shares via RSU Grant

Keysight Technologies' SVP and Secretary, Jeffrey K. Li, reported the acquisition of 2,982 common shares through a restricted stock unit grant, increasing his direct beneficial ownership.

Summary

• Jeffrey K. Li, Senior Vice President and Secretary of Keysight Technologies, Inc. (KEYS), reported a transaction on October 17, 2025.
• Li acquired 2,982 shares of common stock through a Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) grant.
• The RSUs were granted pursuant to the Keysight 2014 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan.
• These RSUs will vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, specifically October 17, 2026.
• Following this transaction, Li's direct beneficial ownership of Keysight common stock increased to 33,726.535 shares.
• The total beneficial ownership includes 107.7150 shares acquired through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) under Section 423 of The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which is exempt under Rule 16b-3.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The filing indicates a routine executive compensation event (RSU grant) which is generally positive for management alignment with shareholders but not a significant market-moving event. It reflects standard corporate governance practices.

Positives

• The RSU grant aligns management's interests with those of shareholders, as the value of the compensation is tied to the company's stock performance.
• The transaction is part of a standard compensation plan (Keysight 2014 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan), indicating routine executive incentive practices.

Future Outlook

The 2,982 Restricted Stock Units granted to Jeffrey K. Li are scheduled to vest on October 17, 2026, which is the one-year anniversary of the grant date.

Industry Context

This insider transaction is a routine compensation event for a senior executive at a publicly traded technology company. Such RSU grants are common practice across the industry to incentivize and retain key management personnel by aligning their long-term interests with shareholder value creation.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as a component of executive compensation is a widely adopted practice among technology companies, including peers like Fortinet, Inc. (FTNT) and Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS), which also utilize similar equity incentive plans to attract and retain talent.
• The vesting schedule of one year is a common short-to-medium term incentive structure, comparable to practices seen in companies like Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) for similar executive-level grants, aiming to ensure continued service and performance.

Corporate Governance

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The RSU grant aligns the interests of a key executive with shareholders by tying a portion of his compensation to the company's stock performance, potentially encouraging long-term value creation.
• Employees: The mention of an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) indicates broader employee participation in company ownership, which can boost morale and retention.

Next Steps

• The 2,982 Restricted Stock Units granted to Jeffrey K. Li are expected to vest on October 17, 2026.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing details a routine Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) grant to a senior executive, which is a standard component of executive compensation. It does not provide new fundamental information that would warrant a change in investment recommendation. The transaction aligns management incentives with shareholder interests but is not indicative of a significant shift in company performance or outlook. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate, maintaining existing positions based on broader company fundamentals rather than this specific insider transaction.

Keywords

Keysight Technologies, KEYS, Jeffrey K. Li, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Restricted Stock Units, RSU Grant, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Executive Compensation