Form 4: Levi Strauss Director's Share Transfers & Sales

A Levi Strauss & Co. director reported multiple transfers and private sales of Class B Common Stock to various trusts, including charitable entities.

Summary

• Margaret E. Haas, a Director and 10% Owner of Levi Strauss & Co. (LEVI), reported changes in her beneficial ownership of Class B Common Stock.
• On April 15, 2025, Ms. Haas transferred 133,443 shares of Class B Common Stock at a value of $14.72 per share from a trust where she was trustee and beneficiary to trusts for the benefit of others.
• Also on April 15, 2025, she privately sold 16,273 shares of Class B Common Stock at $14.72 per share from a trust where she was trustee and beneficiary to another trust for the benefit of others.
• On August 11, 2025, Ms. Haas transferred an additional 209,450 shares of Class B Common Stock at a value of $20.07 per share to trusts for the benefit of others.
• Concurrently on August 11, 2025, she privately sold 25,723 shares of Class B Common Stock at $20.07 per share to a trust for the benefit of others.
• All reported transactions were made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan, indicating pre-planned activity.
• Each share of Class B Common Stock is convertible into one share of Class A Common Stock at the option of the holder and has no expiration date.
• Following these transactions, Ms. Haas's direct beneficial ownership of Class B Common Stock was 13,375,655 shares, and indirect beneficial ownership was 21,319,043 shares.
• Ms. Haas disclaims beneficial ownership of 7,074,430 Class B shares held by the Margaret E. Haas Fund and 844,680 Class B shares held by the Lynx Foundation, both for charitable purposes.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The filing reports pre-planned internal transfers and private sales of shares by a director, largely for estate planning and charitable purposes. These transactions are routine for large shareholders and do not indicate a significant positive or negative shift in the company's outlook or the insider's confidence.

Positives

• The transfers to trusts for the benefit of others and charitable entities demonstrate ongoing philanthropic and estate planning activities by a significant shareholder.

Negatives

• The reported transactions include private sales and transfers out of direct beneficial ownership, which, while pre-planned and often for estate/charitable purposes, represent a reduction in the reporting person's direct holdings.

Future Outlook

The filing does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future performance or strategic direction.

Industry Context

This filing is an insider transaction report and does not provide broader industry context or trends. It reflects individual ownership changes within Levi Strauss & Co.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• Transfers of Class B Common Stock from a trust where Ms. Haas is trustee and beneficiary to trusts where she is trustee for the benefit of others.
• Private sales of Class B Common Stock from a trust where Ms. Haas is trustee and beneficiary to a trust for the benefit of others.
• Shares held by the Margaret E. Haas Fund and the Lynx Foundation, charitable entities where Ms. Haas is board chair, for which she disclaims beneficial ownership.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Minimal direct impact as these are internal transfers and charitable donations, not open market sales that would significantly affect liquidity or price. The transactions are pre-planned and do not signal a change in the company's fundamentals.
• Employees, Customers, Suppliers, Creditors: No direct impact from these ownership changes.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The filing details pre-planned internal transfers and charitable donations of shares by a director, not open market sales or purchases indicative of a change in investment thesis. These transactions are routine for large shareholders managing their estate and philanthropic activities and do not provide new information to warrant a change in investment recommendation. The company's underlying business fundamentals remain the primary driver for investment decisions.

Keywords

Levi Strauss, LEVI, SEC Form 4, Insider Transaction, Beneficial Ownership, Class B Common Stock, Share Transfer, Estate Planning, Philanthropy, Corporate Governance