Form 4: A. O. Smith Executive James F. Stern Reports Stock Transactions

James F. Stern, Executive VP, General Counsel & Secretary of A. O. Smith Corporation, reports the vesting of restricted stock units and subsequent tax withholding.

Summary

• On February 7, 2025, James F. Stern vested 3,890 shares of A. O. Smith common stock from restricted stock units.
• 1,920 shares were withheld by A. O. Smith Corporation to cover tax obligations at a price of $65.65 per share.
• Stern also acquired 8,205 restricted stock units on February 10, 2025, which will vest on February 10, 2028.
• Following these transactions, Stern directly owns 117,404 shares of A. O. Smith common stock and 21,350 restricted stock units.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The document is a standard regulatory filing detailing stock transactions, indicating a neutral sentiment.

Future Outlook

The reporting person will receive shares of common stock on the vesting date of 02/10/2028 for the restricted stock units granted on 02/10/2025.

Industry Context

This filing is a routine disclosure of stock transactions by a company executive, which is common practice for publicly traded companies. It provides transparency into the executive's holdings and aligns their interests with those of the shareholders.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Executive compensation packages often include restricted stock units as a way to incentivize long-term performance.
• Companies like Pentair, Watts Water Technologies, and Xylem also use similar equity-based compensation plans for their executives.
• The vesting schedules and tax withholding practices are standard across the industry.

Stakeholder Impact

• The transactions have a minimal direct impact on stakeholders.
• The filing provides transparency to shareholders regarding executive compensation.

Key Dates

Keywords

A. O. Smith, AOS, James F. Stern, Executive VP, General Counsel, Secretary, Form 4, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Options, Beneficial Ownership, Insider Trading