Form 4: Stoneridge CHRO Granted 45,029 Phantom Shares

Stoneridge Inc.'s Chief Human Resources Officer and Assistant General Counsel, Susan C. Benedict, was granted 45,029 phantom shares as part of the company's long-term incentive plan.

Summary

• Susan C. Benedict, CHRO and Assistant General Counsel of Stoneridge Inc. (SRI), reported changes in beneficial ownership.
• She directly owns 13,072 common shares.
• She beneficially owns 63,811 Share Units, which are scheduled to vest and become payable on January 31, 2026, contingent on her continued employment.
• On January 31, 2026, she acquired 45,029 Phantom Shares under the company's Long-Term Incentive Plan.
• These Phantom Shares are the economic equivalent of one common share and will be paid in cash equal to the fair market value on their vesting date of January 31, 2027, contingent on her continued employment.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral to slightly positive event, reflecting routine executive compensation and alignment of interests, without indicating any significant operational or financial changes.

Positives

• Grant of 45,029 Phantom Shares aligns executive interests with shareholder value.
• Continued participation in the Long-Term Incentive Plan for a key executive.

Risks

• Vesting of Share Units and Phantom Shares is contingent on continued employment, posing a retention risk if the executive departs before the specified vesting dates.

Future Outlook

The filing indicates future vesting events for equity-linked compensation on January 31, 2026, and January 31, 2027, contingent on continued employment.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that the grant of phantom shares and share units is a common practice in executive compensation across various industries, designed to incentivize long-term performance and executive retention by linking compensation to company stock performance.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• This type of long-term incentive grant, involving phantom shares and share units, is standard practice for executive compensation in publicly traded companies, comparable to plans at automotive suppliers and technology firms of similar market capitalization. Specific comparable companies or projects are not detailed in the filing.

Related Party Transactions

• The grants are part of the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan, a standard compensation arrangement for executives.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Benefits from increased alignment of executive compensation with company performance.
• Employees (Reporting Person): Receives significant equity-linked compensation, incentivizing long-term commitment.

Next Steps

• Vesting of 63,811 Share Units on January 31, 2026, contingent on continued employment.
• Vesting of 45,029 Phantom Shares on January 31, 2027, contingent on continued employment.

Key Dates

Keywords

Stoneridge, SRI, Form 4, insider transaction, beneficial ownership, phantom shares, share units, executive compensation, long-term incentive plan, Susan C. Benedict