Form 4: Scotts Miracle-Gro CFO Acquires Phantom Stock

Scotts Miracle-Gro's EVP, CFO & CAO, Mark J. Scheiwer, acquired 10.367 shares of phantom stock, increasing his beneficial ownership to 1,207.573 shares.

Summary

• Mark J. Scheiwer, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG), acquired 10.367 shares of phantom stock.
• The transaction took place on January 26, 2026.
• Each share of phantom stock represents the right to receive one common share of the Issuer or the cash value thereof.
• The phantom stock is payable in cash following the termination of the reporting person's employment with the Issuer.
• The reporting person has the option to transfer his phantom stock into an alternative investment at any time.
• Following this acquisition, Scheiwer's beneficial ownership of phantom stock totals 1,207.573 shares.
• The price of the derivative security (phantom stock) was $62.7 per share.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The acquisition of phantom stock by a key executive is generally viewed as a minor positive, indicating alignment of interests, but the small quantity involved means it has limited impact on overall sentiment.

Positives

• The acquisition of phantom stock by a key executive like the CFO can signal continued alignment of management's interests with those of shareholders, as the value of the phantom stock is tied to the company's common shares.

Future Outlook

This filing does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future performance or outlook.

Industry Context

This insider transaction is a routine disclosure of executive compensation and does not provide broader insights into industry trends or competitive landscape.

Related Party Transactions

• The acquisition of phantom stock by an executive from the company constitutes a related party transaction, as it involves compensation between the company and a key management person.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Potentially a minor positive signal of management's continued commitment and alignment with shareholder value, as phantom stock value is tied to common shares.
• Employees: No direct impact on the broader employee base is indicated by this specific transaction.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing details a routine acquisition of phantom stock by an executive, which is a standard compensation mechanism and does not provide sufficient information to alter an investment recommendation for the company. The transaction size is not significant enough to warrant a change in investment thesis.

Keywords

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