Form 4: Origin Materials Director Boosts Stake with Stock Grant

Origin Materials Director John Hickox acquired 36,155 shares of common stock in lieu of cash compensation, increasing his beneficial ownership to 836,156 shares.

Summary

• John Hickox, a Director of Origin Materials, Inc. (ORGN), acquired 36,155 shares of common stock.
• These shares were received as Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) in lieu of cash compensation for the quarter ended September 30, 2025.
• The RSUs were granted at a price of $0.5186 per share, based on the closing price on September 30, 2025.
• Following this transaction, John Hickox beneficially owns a total of 836,156 shares of Origin Materials common stock.
• The RSUs are fully vested upon the date of grant, but the receipt of the underlying shares has been deferred to a future date as per a Deferral Election Form.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The director's election to receive equity over cash compensation, coupled with increased beneficial ownership, suggests confidence in the company. The deferral of share receipt is a minor neutral point.

Positives

• Director John Hickox elected to receive equity (RSUs) instead of cash compensation, indicating confidence in the company's future performance and aligning his interests with shareholders.
• The RSUs are fully vested upon grant, providing immediate ownership rights, albeit with deferred physical receipt of shares.
• Increased insider ownership, with John Hickox's beneficial ownership rising to 836,156 shares, can be viewed positively by investors.

Negatives

• The physical receipt of the shares underlying the RSUs has been deferred to a future date, meaning the director does not immediately hold the additional common stock.

Future Outlook

The receipt of the shares underlying the Restricted Stock Units has been deferred to a future date by the Reporting Person, as per a Deferral Election Form.

Industry Context

This transaction is a routine insider filing, common for publicly traded companies where non-employee directors often receive a portion of their compensation in equity to align their interests with shareholders. The election to receive stock over cash is generally seen as a positive signal of confidence in the company's long-term prospects.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• The acquisition of 36,155 shares by Director John Hickox as compensation in lieu of cash is a related party transaction, executed under the company's Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The director's election to receive equity over cash compensation may be viewed positively, indicating alignment of interests and confidence in the company's future value. Increased insider ownership can signal stability.
• Management/Directors: The transaction reflects the execution of the approved non-employee director compensation policy, providing equity incentives.

Next Steps

• John Hickox will receive the deferred shares underlying the Restricted Stock Units at a future date, as per his Deferral Election Form.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing reports a routine insider transaction where a director received equity compensation in lieu of cash. While the election to take stock over cash is a positive signal of confidence, it is a standard compensation event and does not provide new material information that would significantly alter the investment thesis for Origin Materials. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate, as this filing alone does not warrant a change in investment strategy.

Keywords

Origin Materials, ORGN, John Hickox, Director, Insider Transaction, Form 4, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Equity Compensation, Share Acquisition, Beneficial Ownership