Form 4: Verizon Executive Acquires Phantom Stock

Daniel H. Schulman, CEO of Verizon Communications Inc., acquired phantom stock units valued at $13.44 per unit, totaling 198.052 units, on May 7, 2026.

Summary

• Daniel H. Schulman, CEO and Director of Verizon Communications Inc., acquired 198.052 units of phantom stock on May 7, 2026.
• Each phantom stock unit is economically equivalent to a portion of one share of common stock and will be settled in cash.
• The acquisition price per unit was $13.44.
• These phantom stock units become payable upon events established by Mr. Schulman in accordance with the deferred compensation plan.
• The filing also notes that Mr. Schulman acquired additional phantom stock through dividend reinvestment, bringing his total beneficial ownership to 7,476.339 units.
• This ownership is held indirectly through a deferred compensation plan.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral filing, as it represents a routine executive compensation transaction rather than a significant strategic or financial event.

Positives

• Acquisition of phantom stock by the CEO can indicate confidence in the company's future performance.
• Dividend reinvestment in phantom stock suggests continued accumulation of value tied to the company's success.

Negatives

• The acquisition is in the form of phantom stock, which is settled in cash, rather than direct stock ownership, potentially limiting direct shareholder alignment.

Risks

• The value of phantom stock is tied to the company's stock price, so a decline in Verizon's stock value would negatively impact the value of these units.
• The payout of phantom stock is contingent on specific events defined in the deferred compensation plan, introducing timing uncertainty.

Future Outlook

The phantom stock units acquired are subject to payout upon events established by the reporting person in accordance with the deferred compensation plan, indicating a future cash settlement based on specific triggers.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that the use of phantom stock is a common executive compensation tool in the telecommunications industry, allowing for performance-based incentives without immediate dilution of common stock.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The transaction involves phantom stock, which is settled in cash, thus not directly impacting the number of outstanding shares but reflecting executive compensation tied to company performance.
• Employees: The deferred compensation plan and phantom stock awards are part of the executive compensation structure.

Next Steps

• Payout of phantom stock units upon fulfillment of conditions in the deferred compensation plan.

Key Dates

Keywords

Verizon Communications, VZ, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Phantom Stock, Deferred Compensation, CEO, Daniel H. Schulman, Equity, Securities