SCHEDULE: Federated Hermes Discloses 5.94% Stake in Ovid Therapeutics

Federated Hermes, Inc. and related entities have reported a 5.94% beneficial ownership stake in Ovid Therapeutics Inc. common stock as of December 31, 2025.

Summary

• Federated Hermes, Inc., along with its Voting Shares Irrevocable Trust and its trustees (Thomas R. Donahue, Ann C. Donahue, and J. Christopher Donahue), has filed a Schedule 13G.
• The filing discloses beneficial ownership of 7,737,166 shares of Ovid Therapeutics Inc. common stock.
• This represents 5.94% of Ovid Therapeutics Inc.'s outstanding common stock.
• The ownership is attributed to registered investment companies and separate accounts advised by subsidiaries of Federated Hermes, Inc.
• All reporting persons explicitly disclaim beneficial ownership of these securities, stating they are held by managed funds.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The filing is a routine disclosure of a significant passive ownership stake by a large asset manager. While a substantial institutional holding can be viewed positively, the explicit disclaimer of beneficial ownership by the reporting entities suggests a standard investment through managed funds rather than a strategic or activist position.

Positives

• A significant institutional investor, Federated Hermes, holds a substantial stake, which can be seen as a vote of confidence in Ovid Therapeutics.
• The disclosure provides transparency regarding a major shareholder's position.

Negatives

• The filing itself does not contain negative financial or operational information about Ovid Therapeutics.
• The disclaimer of beneficial ownership by the reporting persons indicates a passive investment through managed funds, rather than an active strategic stake by the parent company or individuals.

Risks

• The filing does not detail specific risks related to Ovid Therapeutics' operations or financial health; it is a disclosure of ownership.
• Potential future changes in Federated Hermes's holdings could impact Ovid Therapeutics' stock price, though this filing does not indicate any such intent.

Future Outlook

This filing does not provide forward-looking statements or guidance for Ovid Therapeutics.

Management Comments

• In accordance with Rule 13d-4 under the Exchange Act, Federated Hermes, Inc.; the Voting Shares Irrevocable Trust; Thomas R. Donahue; Ann C. Donahue; and J. Christopher Donahue declare that this report should not be construed as an admission that any of them is the beneficial owner of the securities held by any of the Managed Funds, and each of Federated Hermes, Inc.; the Voting Shares Irrevocable Trust; Thomas R. Donahue; Ann C. Donahue; and J. Christopher Donahue expressly disclaim beneficial ownership of such securities.

Industry Context

This Schedule 13G filing indicates that a major asset manager, Federated Hermes, holds a significant passive stake in Ovid Therapeutics through its managed funds. Such disclosures are routine for institutional investors crossing the 5% ownership threshold and provide transparency into the ownership structure of publicly traded companies. It reflects a standard investment position rather than a strategic or activist move.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Provides transparency regarding a significant institutional shareholder, which may offer some stability or confidence.
• Company Management: Awareness of a large institutional holder may influence communication strategies, but the passive nature of the investment suggests no immediate operational impact.

Key Dates

Keywords

Ovid Therapeutics, Federated Hermes, Schedule 13G, Beneficial Ownership, Institutional Investor, Common Stock, OVIT, SEC Filing, Investment Management, Asset Management