Form 4: Verizon Executive Acquires Phantom Stock Units

Verizon Communications Inc. executive Samantha Hammock acquired phantom stock units under a deferred compensation plan, with settlement tied to specific events.

Summary

• Samantha Hammock, EVP & Chief HR Officer at Verizon Communications Inc., acquired phantom stock units on July 1, 2026.
• Each phantom stock unit is economically equivalent to a portion of one share of common stock and will be settled in cash.
• The phantom stock units become payable upon events established by the reporting person within a deferred compensation plan.
• An additional 19 phantom stock units were acquired through dividend reinvestment, bringing the total to 36,281.528 units.
• These securities are 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 units by a key executive indicates continued investment and alignment with company performance.
• Dividend reinvestment into phantom stock units suggests a positive outlook on future dividend payouts and stock value.

Negatives

• The acquisition is in the form of phantom stock, which is a cash-settled instrument and does not represent direct ownership of common stock.
• Settlement is contingent on future events defined within the deferred compensation plan, introducing uncertainty regarding the timing of cash realization.

Risks

• The value of the phantom stock is tied to the performance of Verizon's common stock, exposing the executive to market volatility.
• The timing of cash settlement is dependent on specific events outlined in the deferred compensation plan, which may not align with the executive's immediate liquidity needs.

Future Outlook

The filing does not contain explicit forward-looking statements or guidance. However, the acquisition of phantom stock units by an executive may imply a positive internal outlook on the company's future performance, as the value of these units is tied to the common stock price.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that the use of phantom stock units is a common executive compensation tool in the telecommunications industry, allowing executives to benefit from stock appreciation without direct equity ownership. This practice aligns executive interests with shareholder value over the long term.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Verizon's use of phantom stock units for executive compensation is consistent with practices seen at major telecommunications companies like AT&T and T-Mobile, which also utilize stock options, restricted stock units, and phantom stock to incentivize leadership.
• The structure of deferred compensation plans, including settlement triggers and dividend reinvestment, varies among industry peers, but the core principle of linking executive rewards to company performance is a standard benchmark.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The transaction reflects executive compensation practices and does not directly impact share count or immediate shareholder dilution. The value of phantom stock is tied to common stock performance, aligning executive interests with shareholders.
• Employees: This filing is specific to executive compensation and does not directly impact general employee compensation or benefits.
• Management: The acquisition of phantom stock units by an executive reinforces their stake in the company's long-term success.

Next Steps

• Settlement of phantom stock units upon the occurrence of events established by the reporting person in accordance with the deferred compensation plan.

Key Dates

Keywords

Verizon Communications, VZ, Form 4, Insider Trading, Executive Compensation, Phantom Stock, Deferred Compensation, Stock Options, Securities, SEC Filing