Form 4: Verizon EVP Acquires Phantom Stock via Deferred Plan

Verizon's EVP and Group CEO, Kyle Malady, acquired 154.679 phantom stock units through a deferred compensation plan.

Summary

• Kyle Malady, Executive Vice President and Group CEO of Verizon Business, acquired 154.679 phantom stock units.
• The transaction occurred on January 15, 2026, as an acquisition (Code A).
• Each phantom stock unit is the economic equivalent of a portion of one share of Verizon common stock and is settled in cash.
• The acquisition was made indirectly through a deferred compensation plan and includes units acquired via dividend reinvestment.
• Following this transaction, Kyle Malady beneficially owns 396,807.39 phantom stock units.
• The derivative security (phantom stock) was valued at $11.24 per unit for this transaction.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is neutral to slightly positive. It's a routine insider acquisition through a compensation plan, which generally indicates executive alignment but doesn't provide significant new operational or financial news. The acquisition of units, even if indirect, is generally seen as a positive signal of confidence.

Positives

• An executive's acquisition of phantom stock, even through a deferred compensation plan, can signal continued alignment with company performance and long-term value creation.

Future Outlook

The filing does not contain specific forward-looking statements or guidance, as it is a report of an insider transaction.

Industry Context

This transaction is an individual executive compensation event within Verizon Communications Inc., a major telecommunications company. It reflects standard executive incentive and deferred compensation practices common across large corporations, rather than broader industry trends.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Executive deferred compensation plans, including phantom stock awards, are a common practice in large-cap companies like Verizon, aligning executive interests with long-term shareholder value.
• The structure where phantom stock is the economic equivalent of a portion of common stock and settled in cash is a typical design for such plans, offering executives equity-like exposure without direct share ownership until settlement.

Related Party Transactions

• The acquisition of phantom stock units occurred through a deferred compensation plan, which is a standard compensation arrangement between the executive and the company.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The transaction indicates continued executive alignment with the company's long-term performance, which can be viewed positively.
• Employees: No direct impact on general employees is indicated by this specific filing.

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 insider acquisition of phantom stock units through a deferred compensation plan. While it signals executive alignment, it does not provide new material information about Verizon's operational performance, financial health, or strategic direction that would warrant a change in investment recommendation. The transaction is an expected part of executive compensation and does not suggest a significant shift in the company's outlook or valuation.

Keywords

Verizon, VZ, Kyle Malady, Phantom Stock, Deferred Compensation, Insider Transaction, Executive Compensation, SEC Form 4