Form 4: SES AI CEO Qichao Hu Reports RSU Tax Withholding

CEO and Chairman Qichao Hu reported the withholding of 133,303 shares of SES AI Class A Common Stock to satisfy tax obligations related to RSU vesting.

Summary

• Reporting person Qichao Hu, CEO and Chairman of SES AI, had 133,303 shares of Class A Common Stock withheld.
• The transaction occurred on April 14, 2026, at a price of $1.10 per share.
• The withholding was executed to cover tax obligations associated with the vesting of restricted stock units (RSUs).
• Following this transaction, the reporting person maintains beneficial ownership of 3,945,182 shares.
• The total ownership figure includes 1,993,239 shares underlying RSUs that remain subject to forfeiture until vesting.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral administrative event, as the share reduction is purely for tax compliance and does not reflect a change in the executive's outlook on the company.

Positives

• The transaction was a mandatory tax withholding event rather than a discretionary open-market sale, indicating no change in the CEO's long-term investment stance.

Negatives

• The transaction reflects a reduction in the total number of shares held by the CEO, albeit for tax purposes.

Risks

• The reporting person holds 1,993,239 shares underlying RSUs that are subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met.

Future Outlook

No forward-looking guidance or strategic outlook was provided in this filing.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that tax withholding transactions are standard administrative procedures for executives receiving equity compensation and do not typically signal a change in corporate strategy or management confidence.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of 'sell-to-cover' or share withholding for tax obligations is a standard practice among publicly traded technology and battery development companies.
• The reporting structure aligns with standard SEC compliance requirements for executive compensation.

Stakeholder Impact

• Minimal impact on shareholders as the transaction was a non-discretionary tax withholding event.

Next Steps

• Future vesting of the remaining 1,993,239 shares underlying RSUs.

Key Dates

Keywords

SES AI, Qichao Hu, Form 4, Insider Trading, Tax Withholding, Equity Compensation