Form 4: Hillary B. Smith Acquires 1,785 QuinStreet, Inc. Stock Options in Lieu of Cash Compensation

Director Hillary B. Smith acquired 1,785 stock options of QuinStreet, Inc. in lieu of cash compensation for her board service.

Summary

• Hillary B. Smith, a director of QuinStreet, Inc., acquired 1,785 non-qualified stock options on August 26, 2024.
• The options have an exercise price of $18.63 and expire on August 26, 2031.
• These options were granted in lieu of cash compensation for her service as a board member and committee member for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.
• The number of options was determined by dividing the cash compensation by the Black-Scholes value of a single option.
• Smith now directly owns 1,785 derivative securities.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is neutral. It's a routine transaction related to director compensation. The grant of options is a standard practice.

Positives

• The acquisition of stock options by a director can be seen as a positive sign, indicating alignment with shareholder interests.

Future Outlook

The document does not contain any specific forward-looking statements or guidance.

Management Comments

• Ms. Smith elected to receive options in lieu of cash compensation as consideration for her service as a member of QuinStreet, Inc.'s board of directors, a member of the Company's Compensation Committee and a member of the Company's Nominating and Governance Committee for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Industry Context

This type of equity compensation is common for board members, aligning their interests with the long-term performance of the company.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Granting stock options to board members is a common practice among publicly traded companies to incentivize directors and align their interests with shareholders.
• The specific number of options granted and the valuation methodology (Black-Scholes) are standard practices.
• Comparable companies in the online marketing and media space also utilize stock options as part of their director compensation packages.

Stakeholder Impact

• The transaction has a minor positive impact on shareholders as it aligns the director's interests with the company's long-term success.

Key Dates