Form 4: News Corp Director Sells Shares, Acquires New DSUs

News Corp Director Jose Maria Aznar sold 2,371 Class A Common Stock shares for $26.19 each after settling deferred stock units, while also acquiring 1,861 new deferred stock units.

Summary

• Jose Maria Aznar, a Director of News Corp (NWS), reported changes in his beneficial ownership of company securities.
• On January 2, 2026, Aznar settled 2,371 Deferred Stock Units (DSUs) into an equivalent number of Class A Common Stock shares.
• Concurrently, he disposed of these 2,371 Class A Common Stock shares at a price of $26.19 per share.
• Following these transactions, his direct beneficial ownership of Class A Common Stock stands at 1,087 shares.
• On the same date, Aznar acquired 1,861 new Deferred Stock Units, with each unit representing one share of Class A Common Stock.
• The newly acquired DSUs have a deemed acquisition price of $26.19 per unit.
• His total beneficial ownership of Deferred Stock Units increased to 40,564 units.
• Deferred Stock Units are payable in cash on the earlier of the first trading day of the quarter five years following their grant or the reporting person's end of service as a Director.

Sentiment

Score: 4

Explanation: The sentiment is slightly negative due to the director's sale of common stock, even though it's partially offset by the acquisition of new deferred stock units. The net effect on direct equity holdings is a reduction.

Positives

• The acquisition of 1,861 new Deferred Stock Units by a director indicates continued compensation and potential long-term alignment with the company's performance.

Negatives

• The disposition of 2,371 Class A Common Stock shares by a director, even if related to DSU settlement, represents a reduction in direct equity holdings.

Risks

• Insider selling, even for compensation-related reasons, can sometimes be interpreted by the market as a lack of confidence, potentially leading to negative sentiment or downward pressure on the stock price.

Future Outlook

Deferred Stock Units held by the reporting person are structured to become payable in cash on the earlier of the first trading day of the quarter five years following their respective grant date or the reporting person's cessation of service as a Director.

Industry Context

This filing details routine insider transactions for a director at a major media and information services company. Such transactions are common for executives and directors as part of their compensation and personal financial management, often involving the settlement of equity awards and subsequent sale of shares.

Related Party Transactions

• The reported transactions involve a director of News Corp, Jose Maria Aznar, engaging in the settlement of deferred stock units and the sale of Class A Common Stock, which are considered related party transactions due to his insider status.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders may view the director's sale of common stock with scrutiny, potentially influencing market perception of the company's near-term prospects.
• The acquisition of new deferred stock units aligns the director's long-term interests with the company's performance, which could be seen positively by long-term investors.

Next Steps

• The remaining 40,564 Deferred Stock Units held by the reporting person will become payable in cash upon their respective vesting schedules, which are tied to a five-year period from grant or the end of the director's service.

Key Dates

Keywords

News Corp, NWS, Jose Maria Aznar, Insider Trading, Form 4, Director Transactions, Deferred Stock Units, Class A Common Stock, Equity Sales, Beneficial Ownership