Form 4: Kroger Chairman and Interim CEO Ronald Sargent Reports Acquisition of Phantom Stock Through Dividend Reinvestment
Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership
Ronald Sargent, Chairman and Interim CEO of The Kroger Co., reported the acquisition of 313.836 phantom stock units through dividend reinvestment under a deferred compensation plan.
Summary
- Ronald Sargent, Chairman and Interim CEO of The Kroger Co. (KR), filed a Form 4 reporting changes in beneficial ownership.
- As of June 2, 2025, Mr. Sargent directly beneficially owns 185,426 shares of Kroger Common Stock.
- He acquired 313.836 phantom stock units on June 2, 2025, through dividend reinvestment transactions under a company deferred compensation plan.
- Each phantom share represents the right to receive one common share upon distribution from the deferred compensation account.
- Following this transaction, Mr. Sargent beneficially owns a total of 67,200.186 phantom stock units.
- The phantom stock units will be distributed following the termination of his services as an Independent Director of The Kroger Co.
Sentiment
Score: 6
Explanation: Neutral to slightly positive, as it indicates an executive's continued participation and alignment with company performance through a deferred compensation plan, rather than a sale.
Positives
- The acquisition of phantom stock through dividend reinvestment indicates continued participation by a key executive in the company's long-term compensation plans.
- The increase in phantom stock holdings aligns the executive's interests with long-term shareholder value.
Future Outlook
Phantom stock units acquired will be distributed to Ronald Sargent following the termination of his services as an Independent Director of The Kroger Co.
Management Comments
- Ronald Sargent, Chairman and Interim CEO, participated in the company's deferred compensation plan, acquiring additional phantom stock through dividend reinvestment.
Industry Context
This Form 4 filing is a routine disclosure of insider stock ownership changes, common across all publicly traded companies, and does not provide specific industry-wide insights beyond the individual company's executive compensation practices.
Corporate Governance
| Change Type | Description | Effective Date | Impact Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compensation Plan Participation | Ronald Sargent acquired phantom stock through dividend reinvestment under The Kroger Co.'s deferred compensation plan, aligning executive incentives with long-term company performance. | 06/02/2025 | Reinforces executive alignment with shareholder interests through long-term equity-based compensation. |
Related Party Transactions
- Acquisition of 313.836 phantom stock units by Ronald Sargent, Chairman and Interim CEO, through dividend reinvestment under a deferred compensation plan of The Kroger Co.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders: The transaction indicates continued executive alignment with long-term company performance through equity-based compensation.
Next Steps
- Distribution of phantom stock units to Ronald Sargent upon the termination of his services as an Independent Director of The Kroger Co.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 06/02/2025 | Transaction date for the acquisition of phantom stock and the reported beneficial ownership of common stock. |
| 06/03/2025 | Signature date of the Form 4 filing. |
Keywords
Kroger, KR, Ronald Sargent, Form 4, Insider Trading, Beneficial Ownership, Phantom Stock, Deferred Compensation, Dividend Reinvestment, Executive Compensation
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