Form 4: Scotts Miracle-Gro CFO Acquires Phantom Stock

Scotts Miracle-Gro's EVP, CFO & CAO, Mark J. Scheiwer, acquired 8.193 shares of phantom stock at a price of $69.42 per share.

Summary

• Mark J. Scheiwer, EVP, CFO & CAO of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG), acquired 8.193 shares of phantom stock.
• The transaction occurred on July 28, 2025, with each phantom stock valued at $69.42.
• Following this acquisition, Scheiwer beneficially owns 1,055.1 shares of phantom stock directly.
• Phantom stock represents the right to receive one common share or its cash equivalent, payable upon termination of employment.
• The reporting person retains the ability to transfer phantom stock into an alternative investment.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The filing reports a routine, small acquisition of phantom stock by an executive, which is a neutral event in terms of market sentiment. It's part of compensation and doesn't indicate significant positive or negative news.

Positives

• The acquisition of phantom stock by an executive, even in a small amount, can be viewed as a positive sign of continued alignment with the company's performance and long-term interests.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

This is a routine insider transaction filing (Form 4) for an executive's phantom stock acquisition, which is common practice for executive compensation and does not inherently reflect broader industry trends or competitive dynamics.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• NA

Related Party Transactions

• The acquisition of phantom stock by Mark J. Scheiwer, an executive officer of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, constitutes a related party transaction as it involves a transaction between the company and one of its key management personnel.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The transaction is a minor, routine compensation-related event and is unlikely to have a material impact on shareholders. It represents a small increase in the executive's alignment with company performance through phantom stock ownership.
• Employees: No direct impact on employees is indicated by this filing.
• Customers, Suppliers, Creditors: No direct impact on these stakeholders is indicated by this filing.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing details a very small, routine acquisition of phantom stock by a key executive as part of their compensation. Such a transaction, given its size and nature, is not typically a catalyst for significant share price movement or a basis for a strong buy/sell recommendation. It primarily indicates ongoing executive compensation practices and a minor increase in the executive's beneficial ownership, which is generally neutral to slightly positive for long-term alignment but not impactful enough for a change in investment stance.

Keywords

Scotts Miracle-Gro, SMG, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Phantom Stock, Executive Compensation, Mark J. Scheiwer, CFO