Form 4: Rockwell Automation Executive Reports Routine Stock Transactions Following RSU Vesting

Robert L. Buttermore, SVP and Chief Supply Chain Officer at Rockwell Automation, reported the vesting of restricted stock units and a subsequent sale of shares to cover tax obligations.

Summary

• Robert L. Buttermore, SVP, Chief Supply Chain Officer of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK), reported transactions involving company common stock.
• On June 6, 2025, 1,552 restricted stock units (RSUs) vested, resulting in the acquisition of 1,552 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.
• These RSUs were part of a grant that vests in three substantially equal annual installments, with the first installment beginning on June 6, 2023.
• On June 9, 2025, Mr. Buttermore sold 494 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $326.3106 per share.
• The sale was executed pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan established on November 27, 2024, specifically to cover taxes due on the vested restricted stock units.
• Following these transactions, Mr. Buttermore directly beneficially owns 1,964 shares of common stock.
• Additionally, as of March 31, 2025, Mr. Buttermore indirectly beneficially owns 275.7156 shares through the Company Savings Plan.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is neutral to slightly positive. The vesting of RSUs is a positive for the executive, indicating compensation and alignment. The sale is for tax purposes, a routine event, and not indicative of negative sentiment towards the company. The price of the sale is also strong.

Positives

• The vesting of 1,552 restricted stock units represents a form of compensation and aligns the executive's interests with shareholder value.
• The sale of shares at a weighted average price of $326.3106 indicates a strong market price for Rockwell Automation stock at the time of the transaction.

Negatives

• The sale of 494 shares, even for tax purposes, results in a reduction of the executive's direct ownership in the company.

Risks

• No specific risks are detailed in this Form 4 filing, as it primarily reports insider transactions.

Future Outlook

This Form 4 filing does not contain forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future performance or outlook, as its purpose is to report insider transactions.

Management Comments

• The filing notes that the sale of shares was pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan entered into on November 27, 2024, to cover taxes due on restricted stock units that vested on June 6, 2025.

Industry Context

This routine insider transaction reflects standard executive compensation practices within the industrial automation and technology sector, where equity awards like Restricted Stock Units are common for aligning executive incentives with long-term company performance. It does not provide specific insights into broader industry trends or competitive positioning.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as a component of executive compensation and the subsequent sale of shares to cover tax liabilities upon vesting are standard practices across publicly traded companies, including those in the industrial technology sector like Siemens, Schneider Electric, or ABB.
• The establishment of a Rule 10b5-1 plan for such sales is also a common corporate governance practice to ensure compliance with insider trading regulations and provide an affirmative defense against claims of trading on material non-public information.
• No specific comparable companies or projects are detailed in this transaction report.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The sale of shares by an executive, even for tax purposes, slightly reduces the executive's direct ownership, but the transaction is routine and pre-planned, minimizing negative implications.
• Employees: No direct impact on employees is indicated by this transaction.

Next Steps

• No specific future actions or milestones are mentioned beyond the ongoing vesting schedule of the restricted stock units, which vest in three substantially equal annual installments.

Key Dates

Keywords

Rockwell Automation, ROK, Form 4, Insider Trading, Restricted Stock Units, RSU Vesting, Stock Sale, Executive Compensation, Rule 10b5-1 Plan, Supply Chain Officer