Form 4: PLAYSTUDIOS CFO Reports Equity Changes, Forfeits PSUs
Beneficial Ownership Statement
PLAYSTUDIOS' Chief Financial Officer, Scott Edward Peterson, reported changes in his beneficial ownership, including the forfeiture of 250,000 performance stock units and a new grant.
Summary
- Scott Edward Peterson, Chief Financial Officer of PLAYSTUDIOS, Inc. (MYPS), filed a Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership (Form 4).
- The filing reports a transaction date of March 12, 2026.
- Peterson's indirect beneficial ownership includes 400,110 Class A Common Stock shares held by the Scott E Peterson Trust and 95,948 shares held by his spouse (beneficial ownership disclaimed).
- 250,000 Performance Stock Units (PSUs) granted on March 7, 2025, were forfeited on March 12, 2026, because the performance conditions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, were not achieved.
- A new grant of 250,000 unvested Performance Stock Units was made on March 12, 2026, contingent on achievement of pre-established performance metrics for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.
- Peterson holds 333,334 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) from a March 11, 2024 grant, with vesting scheduled through May 15, 2027.
- He also holds 166,667 RSUs from a March 7, 2025 grant, with vesting scheduled through January 15, 2028.
- Existing stock options include 67,974 shares at $1.01 (expiring April 1, 2027) and 67,971 shares at $1.44 (expiring January 1, 2029).
- Earnout Shares totaling 12,840 directly and 50,518 indirectly (via trust) are contingent on Class A Common Stock exceeding $12.50 and $15.00 per share by June 21, 2026.
Sentiment
Score: 4
Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this filing as slightly negative due to the forfeiture of a significant number of performance stock units, indicating a failure to meet prior company performance targets, despite a new grant.
Positives
- A new grant of 250,000 Performance Stock Units was made, providing future incentive for the CFO.
- Existing holdings include significant amounts of Class A Common Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Options, and Earnout Shares, aligning the CFO's interests with shareholders.
Negatives
- 250,000 Performance Stock Units granted in March 2025 were forfeited due to the non-achievement of performance conditions for fiscal year 2025, indicating a failure to meet prior targets.
Risks
- The vesting of 250,000 new Performance Stock Units is contingent upon the achievement of certain pre-established performance metrics for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, introducing uncertainty.
- Restricted Stock Units are subject to the Reporting Person's continued employment with the Issuer through the applicable vesting dates.
- Earnout Shares are contingent on the Class A Common Stock exceeding specific price targets ($12.50 and $15.00) within a defined period, which may not be met.
Future Outlook
The future outlook for the CFO's equity compensation is tied to the achievement of company performance metrics for fiscal year 2026 for the newly granted Performance Stock Units, continued employment for Restricted Stock Units, and the company's stock price performance for Earnout Shares.
Industry Context
StockSavvy.ai notes that this Form 4 filing is a routine disclosure of insider equity transactions and compensation, common for publicly traded companies. The forfeiture of performance-based awards due to unmet targets is a mechanism designed to align executive compensation with company performance, reflecting the inherent risks and incentives in such structures.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders: Provides transparency into executive compensation and alignment of management interests with company performance. The forfeiture of PSUs indicates that executive pay is tied to results, which can be viewed positively, but the underlying failure to meet targets is a concern.
- Employees: The continued employment condition for RSU vesting reinforces retention incentives for key personnel.
Next Steps
- Achievement of performance metrics for the newly granted 250,000 Performance Stock Units for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.
- Continued vesting of Restricted Stock Units on scheduled dates through January 15, 2028, contingent on continued employment.
- Monitoring of Class A Common Stock price to meet targets for Earnout Shares by June 21, 2026.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 04/01/2021 | Date exercisable for 67,974 stock options. |
| 02/01/2021 | Date of the Agreement and Plan of Merger related to Earnout Shares. |
| 01/01/2023 | Date exercisable for 67,971 stock options. |
| 03/11/2024 | Date of grant for 766,669 unvested Restricted Stock Units. |
| 05/15/2024 | Vesting date for 183,334 Restricted Stock Units. |
| 03/07/2025 | Date of grant for 333,334 unvested Restricted Stock Units and 250,000 Performance Stock Units (which were later forfeited). |
| 05/15/2025 | Vesting date for 250,001 Restricted Stock Units (from 2024 grant) and 83,333 Restricted Stock Units (from 2025 grant). |
| 12/31/2025 | End of fiscal year for which performance conditions for 250,000 PSUs were not achieved. |
| 01/15/2026 | Vesting date for 83,334 Restricted Stock Units. |
| 03/12/2026 | Transaction date for forfeiture of 250,000 Performance Stock Units and grant of 250,000 new Performance Stock Units. |
| 05/15/2026 | Vesting date for 166,667 Restricted Stock Units. |
| 06/21/2026 | Expiration date for Earnout Shares conditions. |
| 12/31/2026 | End of fiscal year for which performance conditions for the new 250,000 PSUs will be determined. |
| 01/15/2027 | Vesting date for 83,334 Restricted Stock Units. |
| 04/01/2027 | Expiration date for 67,974 stock options. |
| 05/15/2027 | Vesting date for 166,667 Restricted Stock Units. |
| 01/15/2028 | Vesting date for 83,333 Restricted Stock Units. |
| 01/01/2029 | Expiration date for 67,971 stock options. |
Keywords
PLAYSTUDIOS, MYPS, Form 4, Beneficial Ownership, Executive Compensation, Performance Stock Units, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Options, Earnout Shares, CFO, Insider Trading
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