Form 4: Verizon Exec Boosts Phantom Stock Holdings

Verizon Communications Inc. EVP and Group CEO-VZ Consumer, Sampath Sowmyanarayan, acquired 168.579 phantom stock units as part of a deferred compensation plan.

Summary

• Sampath Sowmyanarayan, EVP and Group CEO-VZ Consumer at Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), acquired 168.579 units of phantom stock.
• The transaction occurred on November 20, 2025.
• Each phantom stock unit is the economic equivalent of approximately 0.2847 shares of Verizon common stock (48 common shares for 168.579 phantom units) and is settled in cash.
• The phantom stock units were acquired at a price of $11.64 per unit.
• Following this transaction, Sowmyanarayan beneficially owns a total of 134,119.382 phantom stock units, which includes units acquired through dividend reinvestment.
• The acquisition was made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan, indicating a pre-arranged transaction.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: Slightly positive due to an insider increasing their stake, even if it's phantom stock and part of a compensation plan. It indicates continued participation in the company's equity performance.

Positives

• An executive increasing their beneficial ownership, even in phantom stock, can signal confidence in the company's future performance.
• The transaction was made under a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan, indicating a pre-scheduled, non-discretionary acquisition.

Future Outlook

The filing does not provide specific forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future performance, focusing solely on an executive's equity transaction.

Industry Context

This Form 4 filing primarily details an executive's equity compensation and ownership, which is an internal corporate governance matter. It does not directly relate to broader industry trends or competitive landscape analysis, though executive compensation structures are common across the telecommunications industry.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Executive compensation plans involving phantom stock or similar equity-linked instruments are standard practice in large publicly traded companies, including those in the telecommunications sector like AT&T or T-Mobile, to align executive incentives with shareholder value.
• The use of Rule 10b5-1(c) plans for executive stock transactions is a common industry standard to mitigate concerns about insider trading by pre-scheduling trades.

Corporate Governance

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The transaction indicates an executive's continued financial alignment with the company's performance, potentially viewed positively.
• Employees: No direct impact on general employees is indicated by this 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

Keywords

Verizon, VZ, Sampath Sowmyanarayan, Phantom Stock, Insider Trading, SEC Form 4, Executive Compensation, Deferred Compensation