Form 4: Stanley Black & Decker Director Boosts Holdings

Stanley Black & Decker Director John L. Garrison Jr. increased his beneficial ownership through deferred stock units and dividend reinvestments.

Summary

• John L. Garrison Jr., a Director of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (SWK), reported an acquisition of common stock and deferred shares.
• On December 16, 2025, Garrison acquired 37.4705 shares of Common Stock at a price of $73.4 per share.
• This acquisition of Common Stock was due to dividend equivalents credited to his account under the 2020 Restricted Stock Unit Deferral Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
• He also acquired 483.997 Deferred Shares at $73.4 per share, resulting from the deferral of quarterly director fees under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
• An additional 17.7904 Deferred Shares were acquired at $73.4 per share through the reinvestment of dividends paid on existing deferred shares under the Deferred Compensation Plan.
• Following these transactions, Garrison beneficially owns 3,351.1334 shares of Common Stock directly.
• He also directly owns 2,057.1642 Deferred Shares from fee deferrals and 2,074.9546 Deferred Shares from dividend reinvestment.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The filing reports routine insider acquisitions through compensation and dividend reinvestment plans, which is a neutral to slightly positive signal as it indicates continued director alignment with shareholder interests without suggesting new fundamental performance.

Positives

• The director's increased beneficial ownership, even through compensation plans, aligns his interests further with those of shareholders.
• The existence of structured deferral and dividend reinvestment plans for non-employee directors indicates established corporate governance practices for executive compensation.

Future Outlook

Deferred shares acquired under the Deferred Compensation Plan will be settled in a lump sum payment of common stock on December 15 immediately following the date the reporting person ceases to be a member of the Board of Directors.

Management Comments

• The transactions reflect the operation of the Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. 2020 Restricted Stock Unit Deferral Plan for Non-Employee Directors and the Stanley Black & Decker Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors.

Industry Context

This filing reflects standard practices for non-employee director compensation, where a portion of fees or dividend equivalents are deferred into company stock or stock units, aligning director interests with long-term shareholder value.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of deferred stock units and dividend reinvestment plans for non-employee director compensation is a common practice across many publicly traded companies, including those in the industrial and consumer goods sectors, to promote long-term alignment and retention.

Related Party Transactions

• Acquisition of common stock and deferred shares by a non-employee director as part of their compensation and dividend reinvestment plans, as outlined in the company's RSU Deferral Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Increased director ownership, even through compensation, can be viewed positively as it further aligns the director's financial interests with the long-term performance of the company's stock.

Next Steps

• Settlement of deferred shares will occur upon the director's cessation of Board membership, as per the Deferred Compensation Plan.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 details routine, compensation-related stock acquisitions by a director, which is a standard practice and does not provide new fundamental information or a change in the company's operational or financial outlook that would warrant an alteration to an existing investment recommendation. It primarily reflects the execution of pre-established compensation plans.

Keywords

Stanley Black & Decker, SWK, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Director Compensation, Stock Acquisition, Deferred Shares, Dividend Reinvestment