Form 4: Verizon CEO Acquires Phantom Stock in Compensation Plan

Verizon CEO Daniel H. Schulman acquired 236.81 phantom stock units, equivalent to 68 common shares, through a deferred compensation plan.

Summary

• Daniel H. Schulman, CEO and Director of Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), acquired 236.81 phantom stock units.
• The transaction occurred on January 15, 2026, as part of a deferred compensation plan.
• Each phantom stock unit was priced at $11.24.
• The acquired phantom stock units are economically equivalent to 68 shares of Verizon common stock.
• Following this acquisition, Mr. Schulman indirectly beneficially owns a total of 1,745.57 phantom stock units through the deferred compensation plan.
• Phantom stock units are settled in cash and become payable upon events established by the reporting person in accordance with the plan.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The filing reports a routine executive compensation event, which is generally neutral but can be seen as slightly positive due to management's continued alignment with shareholder interests through equity ownership.

Positives

• The acquisition of phantom stock units aligns the CEO's financial interests with those of shareholders, as the value is tied to the company's common stock performance.
• Participation in a deferred compensation plan indicates a long-term commitment by the executive to the company.

Future Outlook

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

Industry Context

This is a routine insider transaction related to executive compensation, common across publicly traded companies. It reflects standard practices for aligning executive incentives with shareholder value through equity-based awards, rather than indicating specific industry trends or competitive positioning.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The acquisition of phantom stock by the CEO reinforces management's alignment with shareholder interests, as the value of these units is tied to the company's stock performance.

Next Steps

• The phantom stock units will become payable upon events established by the reporting person in accordance with the deferred compensation plan.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing details a routine acquisition of phantom stock by Verizon's CEO as part of a deferred compensation plan. It does not provide new information regarding the company's operational performance, financial health, or strategic direction that would alter an investment thesis. While it indicates continued executive alignment, it is not a catalyst for a change in investment recommendation. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate based solely on the information presented in this filing.

Keywords

Verizon, VZ, Daniel H. Schulman, Phantom Stock, Deferred Compensation, Insider Transaction, Executive Compensation, SEC Form 4, Stock Acquisition