Form 4: VeriSign Executive Sells Shares for Tax Obligations

VeriSign's EVP of Technology and CSO, Danny R. McPherson, disposed of 20.5148 shares of common stock to cover tax liabilities related to restricted stock unit vesting.

Summary

• Danny R. McPherson, Executive Vice President of Technology and Chief Security Officer for VeriSign Inc. (VRSN), reported a disposition of common stock.
• The transaction involved 20.5148 shares of VeriSign common stock, executed on January 15, 2026.
• The shares were disposed of at a price of $249.22 per share.
• This disposition was exempt under Rule 16b-3, representing payment of tax liability to the company by delivery or withholding securities incident to the vesting of restricted stock units.
• Following this transaction, McPherson beneficially owns 27,984.6588 shares of common stock.
• The reported holdings include 53.1964 dividend equivalent restricted stock units acquired on November 25, 2025, under the Company's Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: Neutral. This is a routine, non-discretionary transaction related to executive compensation and tax obligations, not indicative of positive or negative company performance or executive sentiment towards the stock beyond the compensation structure.

Positives

• The executive continues to hold a substantial number of shares (27,984.6588) after the transaction, indicating continued alignment with shareholder interests.
• The transaction is a standard tax withholding event, not a discretionary sale, which is a routine part of executive compensation.

Negatives

• A reduction of 20.5148 shares in direct beneficial ownership by a key executive.

Risks

• NA

Future Outlook

This filing, a Form 4, does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future performance or outlook.

Industry Context

This transaction is a routine insider filing common across all industries for executives who receive equity compensation. It reflects a standard mechanism for covering tax obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock units, rather than a discretionary sale based on market sentiment or company performance.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The disposition of shares to cover tax liabilities upon restricted stock unit (RSU) vesting is a common and standard practice in executive compensation across publicly traded companies, aligning with typical equity incentive plan structures in the technology and other sectors.

Related Party Transactions

• Disposition of shares to the company for tax withholding purposes related to restricted stock unit vesting, a standard compensation-related transaction.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Minimal impact, as the transaction is a routine, non-discretionary tax-related sale, and the executive retains a significant ownership stake.
• Employees: No direct impact on the broader employee base.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 reports a routine, non-discretionary sale of a small number of shares by an executive to cover tax obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock units. It does not reflect a change in the executive's view of the company's prospects or a significant shift in ownership that would warrant a change in investment recommendation. The executive still holds a substantial number of shares. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate as this filing provides no new information to alter the fundamental investment thesis.

Keywords

VeriSign, VRSN, SEC Form 4, Insider Transaction, Stock Sale, Restricted Stock Units, Tax Withholding, Executive Compensation, Danny R. McPherson