Form 4: Ladder Capital Executive Acquires 115,753 Shares

Ladder Capital Corp's Head of Asset Management, Robert Perelman, acquired 115,753 shares of Class A Common Stock.

Summary

• Robert Perelman, Head of Asset Management at Ladder Capital Corp (LADR), acquired 115,753 shares of Class A Common Stock.
• The transaction occurred on February 18, 2026, and was an acquisition (Code A) at a price of $0.00 per share, indicating a grant or award.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Perelman beneficially owns a total of 492,834 shares of Class A Common Stock.
• The transaction was made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan, indicating it was a pre-arranged event.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a moderately positive signal, as an executive's increased stake, even through a grant, generally indicates confidence in the company's future and aligns management interests with shareholders.

Positives

• An executive acquiring shares, even if granted, generally signals alignment of interests with shareholders.
• The increase in beneficial ownership by a key executive demonstrates continued commitment to the company's long-term success.

Future Outlook

No specific future outlook or guidance is provided in this Form 4 filing.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that insider acquisitions, particularly by high-ranking executives like a Head of Asset Management, are often viewed positively by the market as they suggest confidence in the company's future performance. This is a standard practice for executive compensation and retention in the financial services and real estate investment trust (REIT) sectors, where Ladder Capital operates.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Insider grants at a $0.00 price are common in executive compensation packages across various industries, including financial services and REITs.
• For example, executives at peer companies like Starwood Property Trust (STWD) or Blackstone Mortgage Trust (BXMT) frequently receive equity awards as part of their long-term incentive plans, aligning their interests with shareholder returns.
• The size of the grant (115,753 shares) would typically be evaluated against the executive's overall compensation package and the company's performance metrics, which are not detailed in this Form 4.

Related Party Transactions

• The transaction itself is a related party transaction, as it involves an executive of the company acquiring shares from the company as part of their compensation.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Potentially positive, as increased insider ownership can signal management confidence and better alignment of interests.
• Employees: No direct impact mentioned.
• Customers: No direct impact mentioned.
• Suppliers: No direct impact mentioned.
• Creditors: No direct impact mentioned.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 reports a routine executive equity grant, which is a common component of compensation and aligns management's interests with shareholders. While positive, it does not represent a discretionary open-market purchase that would typically signal a strong conviction buy. Therefore, it's not a strong catalyst for a 'buy' recommendation, nor does it present any negative information warranting a 'sell.' A 'hold' recommendation is appropriate as it confirms ongoing executive alignment without providing new, significant fundamental insights.

Keywords

Ladder Capital Corp, LADR, Robert Perelman, Insider Transaction, Form 4, Stock Acquisition, Executive Compensation, Equity Grant, 10b5-1 Plan