Form 4: Peabody Energy CFO Spurbeck Reports RSU Grant & Tax Withholding

Peabody Energy's EVP and CFO, Mark Spurbeck, reported the grant of 14,626 restricted stock units and the disposition of 7,811 shares for tax obligations on January 2, 2026.

Summary

• Mark Spurbeck, EVP and CFO of Peabody Energy Corp (BTU), reported transactions involving the company's common stock.
• On January 2, 2026, Spurbeck was granted 14,626 restricted stock units (RSUs) at a price of $0.
• These RSUs will vest in three equal annual installments on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the January 2, 2026 grant date, contingent on continued employment.
• The RSUs will fully vest upon termination due to the executive officer's death or disability.
• Also on January 2, 2026, 7,811 shares of common stock were disposed of at a price of $30.68 per share.
• This disposition was to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of restricted stock units on January 2 and 3, 2026.
• Following these transactions, Spurbeck's direct beneficial ownership of common stock is 88,807 shares.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The filing reports a routine executive compensation event involving an RSU grant and subsequent tax withholding. While the RSU grant is a positive for executive alignment, the overall impact is neutral as it's a standard part of compensation, not a direct indicator of operational performance or strategic shift.

Positives

• Grant of 14,626 restricted stock units (RSUs) to EVP and CFO Mark Spurbeck, aligning executive incentives with long-term company performance.
• The RSUs provide a retention mechanism, vesting over three years, and offer security in cases of death or disability.

Negatives

• Disposition of 7,811 shares of common stock to cover tax withholding obligations, which reduces the executive's direct shareholding.

Future Outlook

The granted restricted stock units (RSUs) are scheduled to vest in three equal annual installments on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the January 2, 2026 grant date, subject to the executive's continued employment. This indicates a future commitment and incentive structure for the EVP and CFO.

Industry Context

This Form 4 filing details an executive compensation event (RSU grant and tax-related share disposition) for Peabody Energy's CFO. Such grants are standard practice across various industries, including the energy and mining sectors, to incentivize and retain key executives by aligning their interests with long-term shareholder value.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of restricted stock units (RSUs) as a component of executive compensation is a common practice across publicly traded companies, including those in the energy and mining sectors.
• The three-year vesting schedule for the RSUs is typical for long-term incentive plans, comparable to practices at companies like Arch Resources or Consol Energy, which also utilize equity awards to retain and motivate executives.
• The disposition of shares to cover tax withholding obligations upon RSU vesting is a standard and expected event for equity compensation, consistent with practices observed at most U.S. public companies.

Related Party Transactions

• Grant of 14,626 restricted stock units (RSUs) to Mark Spurbeck, EVP and CFO, on January 2, 2026, as part of his executive compensation.
• Disposition of 7,811 shares of common stock by Mark Spurbeck on January 2, 2026, to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to RSU vesting.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The RSU grant aligns executive incentives with long-term shareholder value, potentially fostering sustained performance. The disposition for tax withholding is a minor, routine event.
• Employees: The executive compensation structure may influence overall company compensation philosophy and morale.
• Management: The RSU grant provides a significant incentive and retention mechanism for the EVP and CFO.

Next Steps

• First installment of the 14,626 RSUs will vest on January 2, 2027, subject to continued employment.
• Second installment of the 14,626 RSUs will vest on January 2, 2028, subject to continued employment.
• Third installment of the 14,626 RSUs will vest on January 2, 2029, subject to continued employment.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing details routine executive compensation activities (RSU grant and tax withholding) for Peabody Energy's CFO. It does not contain information that would fundamentally alter the investment thesis for the company, nor does it provide insights into operational performance, strategic shifts, or financial health that would warrant a change in investment recommendation. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate as this filing is neutral in its impact on the stock's valuation.

Keywords

Peabody Energy, BTU, Mark Spurbeck, Restricted Stock Units, RSU Grant, Insider Transaction, Executive Compensation, SEC Form 4, Stock Ownership, Tax Withholding