Form 4: Verizon Executive Reports Stock Transactions

Verizon EVP and CFO Anthony T. Skiadas reported transactions involving phantom stock units, with a portion settled in cash.

Summary

• Anthony T. Skiadas, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Verizon Communications Inc., has filed a Form 4 statement detailing changes in his beneficial ownership of company securities.
• The filing indicates a transaction on May 7, 2026, involving phantom stock units.
• Specifically, 129.363 phantom stock units were acquired, with a value of $13.44 per unit, totaling $1,739.99.
• These phantom stock units are the economic equivalent of common stock and are settled in cash upon events established by the reporting person.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Skiadas beneficially owns 143,791.504 phantom stock units, held indirectly through a Deferred Compensation Plan.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this filing as neutral. It represents a routine executive transaction related to compensation, with no immediate indication of significant positive or negative developments for the company's stock.

Positives

• The filing indicates an acquisition of phantom stock units, which can be seen as a positive sign of continued executive participation and potential future value realization.
• The acquisition of 129.363 phantom stock units suggests ongoing engagement with the company's equity-linked compensation structure.

Negatives

• The transaction involves phantom stock, which is settled in cash, meaning no direct ownership of common stock is acquired by the executive through this specific transaction.
• The value per unit ($13.44) might be lower than expected if the common stock price is significantly higher, though this is not explicitly stated as a negative in the filing.

Risks

• The value of phantom stock is tied to the company's common stock performance, so any decline in Verizon's stock price would negatively impact the value of these units.
• The settlement of phantom stock in cash means the executive does not hold actual shares, which could be viewed differently by some investors compared to direct stock ownership.

Future Outlook

The filing does not contain explicit forward-looking statements or guidance. The nature of phantom stock implies future cash settlement based on established events and the company's stock performance.

Management Comments

• "Each share of phantom stock is the economic equivalent of a portion of one share of common stock and is settled in cash."
• "The shares of phantom stock become payable upon events established by the reporting person in accordance with the deferred compensation plan."
• "Includes phantom stock acquired through dividend reinvestment."

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that Form 4 filings are standard for insider transactions in the telecommunications sector. Verizon's use of phantom stock aligns with common executive compensation practices aimed at aligning executive interests with shareholder value, particularly in a mature industry where growth may be more incremental.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The transaction itself does not directly impact share count or immediate shareholder dilution. The value of phantom stock is tied to the company's performance, indirectly affecting shareholder value.
• Employees: The use of phantom stock as part of executive compensation is a standard practice that can influence overall employee morale and retention strategies.
• Management: The transaction reflects the ongoing compensation and incentive structure for senior leadership.

Next Steps

• The phantom stock units will be settled in cash upon 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, Anthony T. Skiadas, SEC Filing