Form 4: Korn Ferry Director Receives Equity Compensation Grant

Korn Ferry Director Doyle N. Beneby was granted 2,720 restricted stock units as compensation for services, increasing his direct beneficial ownership to 42,660 shares.

Summary

• Doyle N. Beneby, a Director of Korn Ferry (KFY), acquired 2,720 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, on September 18, 2025.
• These shares were granted as restricted stock units (RSUs) as compensation for services as a director.
• The acquisition price for these RSUs was $0 per share.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Beneby's direct beneficial ownership of Korn Ferry common stock increased to 42,660 shares.
• The restricted stock units are scheduled to vest in full on the day before the next annual meeting of Korn Ferry's stockholders that follows the grant date of September 18, 2025.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The sentiment is moderately positive as it reflects a standard and expected compensation event that aligns director interests with shareholders. It does not indicate any negative operational or financial issues for the company.

Positives

• The grant of restricted stock units to Director Doyle N. Beneby aligns his interests with those of shareholders, as the value of his compensation is tied to the company's stock performance.
• This is a routine compensation practice for directors, indicating stable corporate governance and compensation policies.

Future Outlook

The 2,720 restricted stock units granted to Director Beneby are scheduled to vest in full on the day before the next annual meeting of Korn Ferry's stockholders that follows the grant date of September 18, 2025.

Industry Context

The grant of restricted stock units to a director as compensation for services is a common practice across publicly traded companies, particularly in the professional services and consulting industry, to attract and retain experienced board members and align their long-term interests with shareholder value.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Granting equity compensation, such as restricted stock units, to non-executive directors is a standard practice in corporate governance, comparable to compensation structures at peer companies like Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (HSII) or Robert Half International Inc. (RHI).
• The vesting schedule tied to the annual meeting is also a typical mechanism to ensure continued service and alignment.

Related Party Transactions

• The grant of restricted stock units to Director Doyle N. Beneby constitutes a related party transaction, as it involves compensation provided by the company to a member of its board of directors.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The grant aligns the director's financial interests with long-term shareholder value, potentially encouraging decisions that benefit stock performance.
• Employees: No direct impact on general employees is indicated by this filing.

Next Steps

• The restricted stock units will vest on the day before the next annual meeting of Korn Ferry's stockholders following September 18, 2025.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing details a routine, future-dated equity compensation grant to a director. It does not contain information that would materially alter the fundamental valuation or operational outlook of Korn Ferry, thus a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate as it does not present a new catalyst for significant price movement.

Keywords

Korn Ferry, KFY, Doyle N. Beneby, Restricted Stock Units, Equity Compensation, Director Compensation, Insider Transaction, Form 4