Form 4: Verizon Executive Acquires Phantom Stock

Verizon's EVP & Chief HR Officer, Samantha Hammock, acquired 5,071.93 units of phantom stock through a deferred compensation plan.

Summary

• Samantha Hammock, Executive Vice President and Chief HR Officer of Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), acquired 5,071.93 units of phantom stock.
• The transaction date for this acquisition was February 26, 2026.
• Each phantom stock unit is the economic equivalent of a portion of one share of common stock and is settled in cash.
• The phantom stock becomes payable upon events established by the reporting person in accordance with the deferred compensation plan.
• The acquisition price for the derivative security (phantom stock) was $13.95 per unit.
• The acquired phantom stock units are economically equivalent to 1,447 shares of Verizon Common Stock.
• Following this transaction, Samantha Hammock beneficially owns a total of 35,119.88 units of phantom stock indirectly through a deferred compensation plan.
• The total beneficial ownership includes phantom stock units previously acquired through dividend reinvestment.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a routine, slightly positive event, indicating an executive's continued participation in the company's long-term incentive plan, which aligns their interests with shareholder value.

Positives

• The acquisition of phantom stock by a key executive indicates continued alignment of management interests with shareholder value through a deferred compensation plan.
• An increase in beneficial ownership of phantom stock suggests a long-term commitment by the executive to the company's performance.

Risks

• Phantom stock units are settled in cash, not actual shares, meaning the executive does not directly hold equity, which could alter the incentive structure compared to direct share ownership.
• The value of the phantom stock is tied to the common stock price, exposing the executive to market fluctuations until settlement.

Future Outlook

The filing reports a pre-scheduled acquisition of phantom stock by an executive on February 26, 2026, as part of a deferred compensation plan.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that executive compensation often includes various forms of equity or equity-linked instruments like phantom stock to align management incentives with long-term company performance. This is a standard practice in large telecommunications companies like Verizon, aiming to retain key talent and encourage strategic decision-making that benefits shareholders.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Deferred compensation plans involving phantom stock are common across major U.S. corporations, including peers in the telecommunications sector such as AT&T and T-Mobile, as a means of executive retention and incentive.
• The structure, where phantom stock is settled in cash and tied to common stock value, is a standard approach for non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering executives exposure to stock appreciation without direct share ownership until settlement.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The acquisition of phantom stock by a key executive aligns management's long-term interests with shareholder value, potentially fostering decisions that enhance stock price.
• 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

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing reports a routine executive compensation event (acquisition of phantom stock) and does not contain information that would fundamentally alter the investment thesis for Verizon. It reinforces executive alignment but provides no new operational or financial data to warrant a change in recommendation.

Keywords

Verizon, VZ, Samantha Hammock, Phantom Stock, Deferred Compensation, Insider Transaction, Executive Compensation, SEC Form 4, Derivative Securities