[Form 4] AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER CO INC Insider Trading Activity
Sandra Beach Lin, a director of American Electric Power Co., acquired 377 phantom stock units under the AEP Stock Unit Accumulation Plan for Non-Employee Directors on 09/30/2025. Each phantom unit represents the cash value of one share of AEP common stock; the transaction used an AEP stock price of $112.50, and the units are payable in cash after the reporting person leaves the board. Following the reported grant, the filing shows the reporting person beneficially owns 18,360 shares (direct). The phantom units may be moved into an alternative investment account at any time. The Form 4 was signed by an attorney-in-fact on 10/02/2025.
- Grant consistent with standard director compensation under AEP's Stock Unit Accumulation Plan
- Phantom units are cash-settled, so there is no immediate dilution to AEP common stock
- Reporting includes clear disclosure of transaction date, unit amount, and valuation used ($112.50)
- Creates a future cash obligation for AEP because phantom units are payable in cash upon termination
- No immediate alignment via equity since units are cash-settled rather than share grants
Insights
TL;DR: Director received 377 cash-settled phantom units, a routine director compensation action with limited immediate equity dilution.
This grant is a standard non-employee director award under AEP's stock unit accumulation plan. Because units are phantom (cash-settled) and payable upon termination of board service, there is no immediate issuance of shares and no dilution of outstanding common stock. The filing shows 18,360 shares beneficially owned directly by the reporting person, which provides context for her overall stake but does not change voting power now. The ability to transfer phantom units into an alternative investment account offers flexibility but does not alter the cash-settled nature of the award.
TL;DR: This is a compensatory grant valued at $42,375 based on the stated price; typical for non-employee director pay programs.
Valuing 377 phantom units at the cited $112.50 per share implies a grant value of $42,375, indicating routine board compensation rather than a material acquisition or sale. Because the units are payable in cash rather than stock, this grant impacts future cash obligations rather than share count or market capitalization. The transaction date and mechanics are clearly disclosed, with no exercise or conversion features recorded in this Form 4.