Form 4: WEC Director Acquires Phantom Stock Units

WEC Energy Group Director Thomas K. Lane acquired 377.7416 phantom stock units through a deferred compensation plan.

Summary

• Thomas K. Lane, a Director of WEC Energy Group, Inc. (WEC), acquired 377.7416 phantom stock units.
• The transaction occurred on January 8, 2026, and was reported on January 12, 2026.
• These units were acquired pursuant to a deferral of director fees under the WEC Energy Group, Inc. Director's Deferred Compensation Plan (DDCP).
• The acquisition is exempt from Section 16(b) pursuant to Rule 16b-3(d) and includes units accrued from a dividend reinvestment feature, exempt under Rule 16a-11.
• Each phantom stock unit was valued at $105.8925.
• Following this transaction, Thomas K. Lane beneficially owns a total of 17,290.54 phantom stock units.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is slightly positive. While a routine transaction, it indicates continued director alignment and commitment to the company through deferred compensation, which is generally viewed favorably by investors.

Positives

• The acquisition of phantom stock units by a director demonstrates continued alignment of interests between management and shareholders.
• Participation in the Director's Deferred Compensation Plan (DDCP) indicates a long-term commitment by the director to the company's performance.

Future Outlook

This filing does not contain forward-looking statements or guidance, as it reports a past insider transaction related to director compensation.

Industry Context

The deferral of director fees into phantom stock units is a common practice in the utility and energy sector, aligning director incentives with long-term shareholder value. This type of compensation structure is prevalent among publicly traded companies to retain experienced board members and encourage a long-term perspective on company performance.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Director deferred compensation plans, such as WEC Energy Group's DDCP, are standard practice across many industries, including utilities, to provide non-cash compensation and align director interests with shareholders. Companies like Duke Energy (DUK) and NextEra Energy (NEE) also utilize similar equity-based compensation plans for their directors.
• The acquisition of phantom stock units, which typically settle in common stock, is a common mechanism for directors to increase their beneficial ownership without direct open market purchases, often tied to fee deferrals or performance incentives.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• Acquisition of 377.7416 phantom stock units by Director Thomas K. Lane through deferral of director fees under the WEC Energy Group, Inc. Director's Deferred Compensation Plan (DDCP). This is a transaction between a related party (director) and the company as part of an established compensation arrangement.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The transaction indicates continued alignment of director interests with shareholder value through equity-linked compensation.
• Employees: No direct impact on employees is indicated by this filing.

Key Dates

Keywords

WEC Energy Group, WEC, Phantom Stock Units, Director Compensation, Insider Transaction, SEC Form 4, Deferred Compensation Plan, Equity Acquisition