Form 4: Qualys Director Thomas Berquist Granted Restricted Stock Units

Qualys, Inc. Director Thomas Berquist has been granted 1,879 restricted stock units (RSUs) as part of his compensation, vesting in 2026.

Summary

• Thomas Berquist, a Director at Qualys, Inc. (QLYS), was granted 1,879 shares of Common Stock in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).
• The transaction occurred on June 11, 2025.
• The RSUs were granted at a price of $0 per unit, which is typical for RSU grants.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Berquist beneficially owns 6,260 shares of Qualys Common Stock.
• These RSUs are scheduled to vest on the earlier of June 11, 2026, or the day before Qualys's 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, contingent upon Mr. Berquist's continued service.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The grant of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to a director is a routine compensation event that aligns management interests with shareholders, generally viewed as a neutral to slightly positive development for corporate governance and retention.

Positives

• The grant of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to Director Thomas Berquist aligns his interests with those of shareholders, as the value of his compensation is tied to the company's stock performance.
• Equity grants like RSUs are a common mechanism for retaining key board members and incentivizing long-term commitment.

Negatives

• The issuance of new Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) could lead to a minor dilutive effect on existing shares when they vest, although the amount is relatively small in this instance.

Risks

• The value of the granted Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) is subject to the future market price fluctuations of Qualys, Inc. common stock.
• Vesting of the RSUs is contingent upon the reporting person's continued service through the vesting date, meaning the shares could be forfeited if service ceases prematurely.

Future Outlook

The 1,879 Restricted Stock Units granted to Director Thomas Berquist are scheduled to vest on the earlier of June 11, 2026, or the day before the Issuer's 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, subject to his continued service.

Industry Context

Equity compensation, particularly through Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), is a standard practice across the technology and cybersecurity sectors to attract, retain, and incentivize directors and executives. This grant to a director at Qualys, a cybersecurity company, aligns with typical industry compensation structures aimed at fostering long-term commitment and aligning leadership interests with shareholder value.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to a director at a technology company like Qualys is a common form of equity compensation, comparable to practices observed at peer companies in the cybersecurity and software industries.
• While specific grant sizes vary based on company size, director responsibilities, and overall compensation philosophy, the use of RSUs with service-based vesting is a widely accepted standard for aligning director incentives with long-term company performance.
• Similar RSU grants are frequently seen at companies like CrowdStrike (CRWD), Palo Alto Networks (PANW), and Zscaler (ZS) for their non-employee directors, reflecting a broad industry trend in executive and board compensation.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• The grant of 1,879 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) by Qualys, Inc. to its Director, Thomas Berquist, constitutes a related party transaction as it involves compensation provided by the company to an insider.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The grant represents a form of non-cash compensation that aligns the director's interests with shareholder value, though it involves a minor potential for future share dilution upon vesting.
• Employees: No direct impact on general employees is indicated by this specific filing.
• Customers: No direct impact on customers is indicated.
• Suppliers: No direct impact on suppliers is indicated.
• Creditors: No direct impact on creditors is indicated.

Next Steps

• Continued service of Thomas Berquist as a Director of Qualys, Inc.
• Vesting of the 1,879 Restricted Stock Units on the earlier of June 11, 2026, or the day before the Issuer's 2026 annual meeting of stockholders.

Key Dates

Keywords

Qualys, QLYS, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Insider Transaction, Director Compensation, Equity Grant, SEC Form 4, Beneficial Ownership, Corporate Governance, Cybersecurity