Form 4: PEDEVCO Executive Chairman Boosts Stake

PEDEVCO Corp's Executive Chairman, Simon G. Kukes, reported significant beneficial ownership of common and convertible preferred stock, including an acquisition of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.

Summary

• Simon G. Kukes, Executive Chairman, Director, and 10% Owner of PEDEVCO Corp, reported beneficial ownership of the company's securities.
• Kukes directly owns 8,121,950 shares of Common Stock.
• Kukes indirectly owns 51,791,325 shares of Common Stock through The SGK 2018 Revocable Trust.
• Kukes indirectly owns 3,000 shares of Common Stock through his spouse.
• The SGK 2018 Revocable Trust, for which Simon G. Kukes is Trustee and also listed as an Officer (Chief Executive Officer), acquired 2,801,814 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock on October 31, 2025.
• Each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into 10 shares of Common Stock, totaling 28,018,140 underlying Common Stock shares.
• The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock has no expiration date and automatically converts into common stock on the Automatic Conversion Date, which is 20 calendar days after the distribution of an information statement disclosing shareholder approval (which occurred on October 31, 2025).
• The stated price of the derivative security (Series A Convertible Preferred Stock) is $5.5.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The acquisition of additional securities by a key executive and 10% owner generally signals strong confidence in the company's future performance, which is a positive indicator for investors.

Positives

• Increased insider ownership by Executive Chairman Simon G. Kukes, indicating strong management confidence in the company's future prospects.
• The acquisition of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock by The SGK 2018 Revocable Trust, controlled by Kukes, further aligns management's interests with shareholders.

Future Outlook

The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock acquired by The SGK 2018 Revocable Trust will automatically convert into common stock at a 10-for-1 ratio on the Automatic Conversion Date, which is 20 calendar days after October 31, 2025.

Industry Context

This filing reflects an insider transaction, which is a common occurrence across industries. It signals a specific executive's confidence in their company rather than a broader industry trend.

Related Party Transactions

• Simon G. Kukes, Executive Chairman, holds 51,791,325 shares of Common Stock indirectly through The SGK 2018 Revocable Trust, which he controls.
• The SGK 2018 Revocable Trust, with Simon G. Kukes as Trustee, acquired 2,801,814 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Increased alignment of interests between a significant insider and other shareholders, potentially signaling long-term commitment and confidence.
• Management: Simon G. Kukes's increased stake reinforces his commitment and influence within the company.

Next Steps

• Automatic conversion of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock into common stock on the Automatic Conversion Date (20 calendar days after October 31, 2025).

Key Dates

Recommendation

The filing indicates a significant increase in beneficial ownership by a key executive, Simon G. Kukes, through the acquisition of convertible preferred stock. This insider buying typically signals strong confidence in the company's future prospects and valuation. While a Form 4 alone does not provide comprehensive financial data for a 'buy' or 'sell' recommendation, the substantial insider commitment suggests a 'hold' position is warranted, as it implies potential upside from management's perspective.

Keywords

PEDEVCO, PED, Simon Kukes, Insider Ownership, Form 4, Beneficial Ownership, Common Stock, Convertible Preferred Stock, Executive Chairman