Form 4: Scotts Miracle-Gro CFO Acquires Phantom Stock

Mark J. Scheiwer, Scotts Miracle-Gro's CFO, acquired 10.19 phantom stock units.

Summary

• Mark J. Scheiwer, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG), acquired 10.19 shares of phantom stock.
• The transaction occurred on October 28, 2025, with an implied price of $55.81 per phantom stock unit.
• Following this acquisition, Scheiwer beneficially owns a total of 1,091.154 shares of phantom stock directly.
• Each phantom stock unit represents the right to receive one common share of the Issuer or its equivalent cash value.
• Phantom stock units are payable in cash upon the termination of the reporting person's employment and can be transferred into an alternative investment at any time.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The acquisition of phantom stock by a key executive is generally viewed as a neutral to slightly positive event, indicating continued alignment of management's interests with the company's performance and shareholder value.

Positives

• The acquisition of phantom stock by a key executive like the CFO aligns management's financial interests with those of the shareholders, potentially motivating performance.

Risks

• The value of the phantom stock is tied to the performance of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company's common shares, exposing the holder to market fluctuations and company-specific risks.

Future Outlook

Phantom stock units are payable in cash upon the termination of the reporting person's employment and offer the flexibility to be transferred into an alternative investment at any time.

Industry Context

This transaction represents a routine executive compensation event, where phantom stock is used to incentivize and align management with shareholder interests, a common practice across various industries.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of phantom stock as a component of executive compensation is a standard practice within publicly traded companies, aligning executive incentives with long-term shareholder value. This mechanism is comparable to similar equity-linked compensation plans observed in other large consumer goods or agricultural companies.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Potentially positive impact due to increased alignment of executive interests with company performance.
• Employees (CFO): Direct benefit through compensation tied to company equity value.

Key Dates

Keywords

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