Form 4: NewMarket Corp Director Gottwald Reports Share Disposal and Beneficial Ownership Changes

Thomas E. Gottwald, Chairman, President & CEO of NewMarket Corp, reported the disposal of 1,550 common stock shares and changes in beneficial ownership, including shares held in trusts and retirement plans.

Summary

• On May 20, 2025, Thomas E. Gottwald, Chairman, President & CEO of NewMarket Corp, reported a transaction involving the disposal of 1,550 shares of common stock.
• The transaction was reported on a Form 4 filing with the SEC.
• Following the transaction, Gottwald directly owns 20,927 shares.
• Gottwald also indirectly owns shares through various trusts for grandchildren, the NewMarket Savings Plan, shares held by his wife, and shares held as co-trustee for various entities.
• These indirect holdings include 39,437.09 shares in the NewMarket Savings Plan, 5,087 shares held by his wife, 46,407 shares held as co-trustee, 6,889 shares held as co-trustee for children, 63,607 shares in a 2022 GRAT, and 225,000 shares in a 2025 GRAT.
• The filing also indicates that the increase in shares in the NewMarket Savings Plan is due to periodic purchases by the Plan Trustee.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is neutral. While a share disposal occurred, the executive maintains significant direct and indirect ownership, and the filing is a routine part of regulatory compliance.

Positives

• The increase in shares in the NewMarket Savings Plan is due to periodic purchases by the Plan Trustee, indicating ongoing investment in the company's stock by the plan.

Negatives

• The disposal of 1,550 shares by the Chairman, President & CEO could be perceived negatively by some investors, although the overall impact is mitigated by his continued significant direct and indirect holdings.

Risks

• While the filing primarily reflects changes in beneficial ownership, any significant disposal of shares by a key executive could raise concerns about their confidence in the company's future performance.

Industry Context

Form 4 filings are a routine part of corporate governance, providing transparency into the transactions of company insiders. Investors often monitor these filings to gauge management's sentiment and confidence in the company.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Comparing Gottwald's holdings and transactions to those of executives at similar specialty chemical companies would provide a better understanding of whether these transactions are typical.
• For example, executives at Lubrizol (a Berkshire Hathaway company) or Afton Chemical (owned by NewMarket) would be relevant benchmarks, but their insider transactions are not publicly available in the same way due to their ownership structure.
• Publicly traded competitors like Innospec Inc. (IOSP) could offer comparable data on executive stock ownership and trading activity.

Stakeholder Impact

• The disposal of shares could have a minor psychological impact on shareholders, but the overall effect is likely to be minimal given the executive's continued significant holdings.

Key Dates

Keywords

NewMarket Corp, Gottwald, beneficial ownership, Form 4, share disposal, insider trading, NEU, grat, trust