Form 4: PLAYSTUDIOS CEO Pascal Reports Stock Transactions
Insider Transaction Report
PLAYSTUDIOS Chairman and CEO Andrew S. Pascal reported recent transactions involving Class A common stock, including RSU settlements, tax-related dispositions, and a transfer to a family trust.
Summary
- Andrew S. Pascal, Chairman and CEO of PLAYSTUDIOS, Inc., reported several transactions involving the company's securities.
- On January 15, 2026, 41,666 shares of Class A common stock were acquired upon the settlement of fully vested Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) awarded on March 7, 2025.
- Concurrently, 18,604 shares of Class A common stock were disposed of at a price of $0.6414 per share to satisfy income tax withholding and remittance obligations related to the RSU settlement.
- On January 20, 2026, 23,062 shares of Class A common stock were transferred from direct ownership to the Pascal Family Trust, resulting in a change from direct to indirect beneficial ownership without altering the overall beneficial ownership.
- Following these transactions, Mr. Pascal directly owns 23,062 Class A Common Stock.
- Indirectly, Mr. Pascal beneficially owns 781,475 Class A Common Stock and 2,913,005 Class B Common Stock through the Pascal Family Trust, and 226,371 Class A Common Stock and 9,747,296 Class B Common Stock through DreamStreet Holdings, LLC.
- Mr. Pascal also holds various derivative securities, including 958,334 directly held Restricted Stock Units, 375,000 directly held Restricted Stock Units, 500,001 directly held Restricted Stock Units, 625,000 directly held Performance Stock Units, 1,864,324 directly held Stock Options, and various Earnout Shares held directly and indirectly.
Sentiment
Score: 6
Explanation: The filing reports routine insider transactions, including the settlement of vested equity awards and a tax-related disposition, along with a transfer of shares to a family trust. It reflects ongoing equity compensation and management's continued significant ownership in the company, which is generally a neutral to slightly positive signal for investor alignment.
Positives
- The settlement of 41,666 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) on January 15, 2026, indicates the vesting of previously granted equity compensation, reflecting continued employment and performance.
- The reporting person maintains substantial equity holdings in the company, both directly and indirectly, which aligns management's interests with those of shareholders.
Negatives
- The disposition of 18,604 shares of Class A Common Stock was solely for tax withholding purposes related to RSU settlement and does not represent an open market sale, which is a standard practice for equity compensation.
Risks
- Vesting of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and Performance Stock Units (PSUs) is contingent upon the Reporting Person's continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting dates.
- Earnout Shares are contingent upon the Class A Common Stock exceeding specific price targets ($12.50 and $15.00 per share) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period, or a sale of the Issuer, by June 21, 2026.
Future Outlook
Future vesting of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and Performance Stock Units (PSUs) is scheduled through January 15, 2028, contingent on continued employment. Earnout Shares are contingent on the Class A Common Stock achieving price targets of $12.50 and $15.00 per share by June 21, 2026.
Related Party Transactions
- A transfer of 23,062 shares of Class A common stock from direct ownership to the Pascal Family Trust, which is a related party, was reported. This transaction represents a change in the form of ownership from direct to indirect and does not affect the overall beneficial ownership of securities by the Reporting Person.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders: The CEO's continued significant direct and indirect equity ownership aligns his interests with those of shareholders. The reported transactions are routine for executive compensation and do not suggest a change in company fundamentals.
- Employees: While not directly impacted by this specific filing, the underlying equity grants (RSUs, PSUs) are part of the company's executive compensation structure, which can influence broader compensation strategies.
Next Steps
- Continued vesting of various Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) on scheduled dates through January 15, 2028.
- Determination of the actual number of shares for Performance Stock Units based on the achievement of pre-established performance metrics for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.
- Potential vesting of Earnout Shares based on Class A Common Stock price targets by June 21, 2026.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 04/17/2021 | Grant date for Stock Options with an exercise price of $1.01. |
| 02/22/2023 | Grant date for 1,125,000 unvested Restricted Stock Units. |
| 03/11/2024 | Grant date for 708,335 unvested Restricted Stock Units. |
| 03/07/2025 | Grant date for 1,000,000 unvested Restricted Stock Units and 625,000 unvested Performance Stock Units. |
| 01/15/2026 | Earliest transaction date; Vesting date for 41,666 Restricted Stock Units granted on March 7, 2025; Settlement of fully vested Restricted Stock Units. |
| 01/20/2026 | Date of transfer of Class A common stock from direct to indirect ownership (Pascal Family Trust); Signature date of the filing. |
| 06/21/2026 | Expiration date for Earnout Shares. |
| 01/15/2027 | Vesting date for 333,334 Restricted Stock Units granted on March 7, 2025. |
| 04/17/2027 | Expiration date for Stock Options granted on April 17, 2021. |
| 01/15/2028 | Vesting date for 625,000 Restricted Stock Units granted on March 7, 2025. |
| December 31, 2025 | Fiscal year end for performance metrics determining the number of shares to be issued upon vesting of Performance Stock Units. |
Recommendation
holdThis Form 4 filing details routine insider transactions, primarily the settlement of vested Restricted Stock Units and a subsequent tax-related disposition, along with a transfer of shares to a family trust. These actions are standard for executive compensation and do not indicate a change in the company's fundamental outlook or the reporting person's long-term commitment. The filing does not provide new information that would warrant a change from a 'hold' recommendation.
Keywords
PLAYSTUDIOS, MYPS, Andrew S. Pascal, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Stock Transaction, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Stock Units, Earnout Shares, Equity Compensation, CEO, Director, 10% Owner
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