Form 4: Scotts Miracle-Gro Exec Trades Shares and Phantom Stock

Mark J. Scheiwer, EVP, CFO & CAO of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, reported transactions involving common shares and phantom stock.

Summary

• Mark J. Scheiwer, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Administrative Officer of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, engaged in several transactions.
• On May 29, 2026, Scheiwer acquired 2.968 common shares at a price of $50.53 per share, increasing his direct beneficial ownership to 15,381.093 shares.
• Additionally, Scheiwer's 401(k) plan holds 493.482 common shares indirectly.
• On June 5, 2026, Scheiwer acquired 15.779 shares of phantom stock, which represent the right to receive one common share or its cash equivalent upon termination of employment. These phantom shares are held directly.
• Also on June 5, 2026, 48 dividend equivalent rights were acquired, which are economically equivalent to common shares and become exercisable proportionally with related DSU or RSU grants.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral filing, as it primarily details routine executive compensation and stock transactions without providing new strategic information or significant financial performance indicators.

Positives

• Executive leadership is actively involved in the company's stock, as indicated by these transactions.
• The acquisition of common shares at a specific price point suggests a potential valuation perspective.
• Dividend equivalent rights acquisition indicates continued accrual of value tied to company performance.

Negatives

• The filing does not provide context for the rationale behind these transactions, making it difficult to assess if they are for personal financial planning or reflect confidence in the company's future.
• The acquisition of phantom stock is tied to future employment termination, which is a standard compensation mechanism but not a direct indicator of current company strength.

Risks

• The value of phantom stock and dividend equivalent rights is subject to the future performance and stock price of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company.
• Potential for future sales of acquired shares by the reporting person could impact market supply.

Future Outlook

The filing does not contain forward-looking statements or guidance. The phantom stock is payable in cash following termination of employment, indicating a long-term component of executive compensation.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that Form 4 filings are standard disclosures for insider transactions. The nature of these transactions (acquisition of shares and equity-linked compensation instruments) is typical for executive compensation packages within the consumer staples and gardening sectors.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The transactions themselves do not directly impact current share price but reflect executive compensation structures. Future sales by the executive could influence share availability.
• Employees: The phantom stock and dividend rights are part of the executive compensation, indirectly affecting employee compensation structures and company resource allocation.
• Creditors: No direct impact is indicated.

Next Steps

• Phantom stock is payable in cash following termination of employment.
• The reporting person may transfer his/her phantom stock into an alternative investment at any time.
• Dividend equivalent rights become exercisable proportionately with the DSUs or RSUs to which they relate.

Key Dates

Keywords

Form 4, SEC Filing, Scotts Miracle-Gro, SMG, Insider Trading, Stock Transaction, Executive Compensation, Phantom Stock, Dividend Equivalent Rights, Beneficial Ownership