[Form 4] Acme United Corporation Insider Trading Activity

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Richmond Holden Y. Jr., a director of Acme United Corp (ACU), reported option exercise and related share changes on 09/05/2025. He exercised an employee stock option with a $21.20 exercise price covering 2,500 shares; the exercise was settled on a net cash basis directly with the issuer and did not involve issuance of underlying shares. The Form 4 shows a reported acquisition entry of 2,500 shares at $21.20 and a contemporaneous disposition entry of 2,500 shares at $44.36. Following the reported transactions, the filing lists beneficial ownership amounts of 17,750 and 15,250 shares on the non-derivative lines and 16,500 underlying shares reflected under derivative holdings.

Positive

• Clear disclosure of transaction date, amounts, and settlement method (net cash settlement) which aids transparency
• Beneficial ownership updated on both non-derivative and derivative schedules, showing current positions

Negative

• None.

Insights

Securities Analyst

TL;DR: Routine director option exercise settled in cash; beneficial ownership updated but no new shares issued.

The Form 4 discloses a cash-settled exercise of 2,500 employee stock options at a $21.20 strike price executed 09/05/2025 by director Richmond Holden Y. Jr. The filer elected a net cash settlement directly with Acme United, and the explanatory note confirms no issuance of new shares. The report records both an acquisition line and a disposition line for the same 2,500-share amount, consistent with net settlement mechanics. Beneficial ownership figures are updated on both non-derivative and derivative lines, providing transparency on the director's current position.

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR: Disclosure is standard and complies with Section 16 reporting; net cash settlement avoids share issuance.

The filing identifies the reporting person as a director and lists the transaction date and mechanics clearly. The net cash settlement approach is explicitly stated, which is important for understanding that the transaction did not increase the company’s outstanding shares. The Form 4 appears complete for the disclosed transactions and updates the director's beneficial ownership on both non-derivative and derivative schedules as required.

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

OMB APPROVAL

OMB Number:			3235-0287
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Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

HOLDEN RICHMOND Y JR

(Last) (First) (Middle)

1 WATERVIEW DRIVE

(Street)

SHELTON CT 06484

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
ACME UNITED CORP [ ACU ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

X	Director		10% Owner
	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
09/05/2025

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
Common Stock	09/05/2025	09/05/2025	M		2,500	A	$21.2	17,750	D
Common Stock	09/05/2025	09/05/2025	D		2,500(1)	D	$44.36	15,250	D

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares
Employee Stock Option	$21.2	09/05/2025	09/05/2025	M			2,500	04/23/2019	04/22/2029	Common Stock	2,500	$21.2	16,500	D

Explanation of Responses:

1. The exercise of the subject option was effected on a net cash settlement basis in a transaction directly with the issuer not involving the actual issuance of any shares of the underlying common stock.

	/s/ Richmond Holden	09/08/2025
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.

FAQ

What did ACU director Richmond Holden do on 09/05/2025?

He exercised an employee stock option covering 2,500 shares at a $21.20 exercise price; the exercise was net cash settled directly with the issuer.

Did the option exercise result in new ACU shares being issued?

No. The Form 4 explains the exercise was effected on a net cash settlement basis directly with the issuer and did not involve issuance of underlying common stock.

How many shares does the Form 4 show as beneficially owned after the transactions?

The filing lists 17,750 and 15,250 on the non-derivative lines and 16,500 underlying shares on the derivative schedule following the reported transactions.

What is the relationship of the reporting person to ACU?

The Form 4 identifies Richmond Holden Y. Jr. as a Director of Acme United Corp.

What prices are shown on the Form 4 for the transactions?

The acquisition line shows $21.20; a disposition line shows $44.36 as reported in the form.