[Form 4] Autodesk Inc Insider Trading Activity
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Autodesk EVP and Chief People Officer Rebecca Pearce reported a significant insider transaction on June 24, 2025, selling 2,544 shares at $305 per share (total value: $776,920). The sale was executed according to a pre-established Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted on March 11, 2025.
Following the transaction, Pearce maintains beneficial ownership of 25,801 shares, which includes 13,217 unvested Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The transaction was reported through an attorney-in-fact, Melissa Hoge.
This Form 4 filing indicates planned insider selling activity under a structured trading program, which helps avoid allegations of trading on material non-public information. The significant retention of shares, particularly the unvested RSUs, suggests continued alignment with shareholder interests despite the disposition.
Positive
- EVP and Chief People Officer Rebecca Pearce still maintains significant ownership with 25,801 shares after the transaction, including 13,217 unvested RSUs, showing continued alignment with shareholders
- The sale was executed under a pre-planned 10b5-1 trading plan established in March 2025, indicating this was a routine transaction rather than a reactive sale
Negative
- EVP and Chief People Officer Rebecca Pearce sold 2,544 shares at $305 per share, totaling approximately $776,000
- The sale represents approximately 9% of her total holdings (excluding unvested RSUs), which could be seen as a moderate reduction in insider ownership
Insights
This Form 4 discloses that Rebecca Pearce, Autodesk's EVP and Chief People Officer, sold 2,544 shares at $305 per share, generating approximately $776,000. The sale was executed under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan established in March 2025, which is standard practice for executives to avoid accusations of trading on material non-public information.
Pearce retains substantial skin in the game with 25,801 shares post-transaction, though 13,217 of these are unvested RSUs. At current prices, her vested position is worth approximately $3.8 million, indicating continued alignment with shareholders despite the sale.
This transaction represents relatively routine liquidity management rather than a concerning signal. The sale constitutes approximately 9% of her total holdings (or about 17% of vested shares), which is within normal parameters for executive portfolio diversification. The predetermined nature of the transaction through the 10b5-1 plan further neutralizes any potential signal value.
Looking at broader insider activity at Autodesk, this isolated transaction doesn't establish a pattern of unusual selling that would raise red flags. Investors should view this as standard executive compensation management rather than a bearish indicator about Autodesk's prospects.
This Form 4 filing provides valuable insight into Autodesk's executive compensation structure and equity retention patterns. Rebecca Pearce's position as Chief People Officer means she oversees human capital strategy while also participating in the company's equity compensation program.
The significant holding of 13,217 unvested RSUs (51% of her total reported position) indicates Autodesk employs a substantial equity-based retention strategy for its executive team. This aligns with industry practices among tech companies that use multi-year vesting schedules to retain key talent.
The sale of 2,544 shares while maintaining over 25,000 total shares demonstrates a balanced approach to liquidity and retention. At a $305 share price, Pearce's total equity position represents approximately $7.9 million in value, with about $4 million in unvested equity - typical for C-suite compensation at a company of Autodesk's size and market position.
The use of a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan established three months prior shows prudent planning and compliance. This approach allows executives to gradually monetize portions of their compensation while maintaining substantial equity exposure. The ratio of shares sold to shares retained suggests Autodesk has effective policies encouraging executive stock ownership while allowing reasonable diversification opportunities.
This Form 4 filing demonstrates strong corporate governance practices at Autodesk. The transaction was executed under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan established over three months ago, reflecting best practices for insider transactions. Such plans provide a safe harbor against allegations of trading on material non-public information by establishing predetermined trading instructions.
The timely disclosure (filed the same day as the transaction) further demonstrates Autodesk's commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance. This promptness exceeds the SEC's requirement to file within two business days of the transaction.
The reporting structure, with the form signed by an attorney-in-fact, indicates proper delegation protocols and suggests Autodesk has a well-structured process for managing insider transactions through its legal department.
It's notable that Pearce retains significant equity exposure post-transaction with approximately 51% in unvested RSUs. This suggests Autodesk maintains robust executive equity retention policies that align management incentives with long-term shareholder interests.
The moderate size of the transaction relative to Pearce's total holdings indicates a balanced approach to allowing executive liquidity while maintaining meaningful ownership stakes. Overall, this filing reflects a governance framework that effectively balances executive flexibility with shareholder alignment and regulatory compliance.
This Form 4 filing for Autodesk warrants minimal investor concern and doesn't justify portfolio adjustments. Rebecca Pearce's sale of 2,544 shares at $305 represents standard executive liquidity management rather than a signal about company fundamentals.
The transaction's execution under a pre-established 10b5-1 plan significantly diminishes its information value, as these sales were scheduled months in advance regardless of current business conditions. The $305 execution price provides a mild positive data point, indicating stability in Autodesk's share price into mid-2025.
Pearce's retention of over 25,000 shares (worth approximately $7.9 million) demonstrates continued confidence in Autodesk's outlook. The significant unvested component (13,217 RSUs) indicates ongoing retention incentives and future vesting events that could lead to additional planned sales.
From a portfolio perspective, this transaction doesn't alter the investment thesis for Autodesk. The company continues to execute its transition to subscription-based revenue models in design software, with solid positioning in architecture, engineering, and construction markets. Investors should focus on upcoming quarterly results and product development momentum rather than routine insider transactions of this nature.
For position sizing decisions, this filing provides no justification for adjustments to Autodesk allocations within diversified portfolios.