ANET Form 4: Kenneth Duda Reports RSU Vesting and Tax-Withholding Sale
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Kenneth Duda, CTO and SVP Software Engineering and a director of Arista Networks (ANET), reported routine equity activity on Form 4. On 08/20/2025 several restricted stock units vested, resulting in acquisitions of 5,712, 3,884, 4,148 and 1,832 shares (each recorded as acquired at $0.0 per share because they represent vested RSUs). On the same date the filing shows 7,818 shares were disposed of at $132.78 per share to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to the vesting. The report also lists various indirect holdings by trusts and a foundation for which Mr. Duda serves as co-trustee or trustee, including holdings described as held in a child’s trust, a 501(c) foundation, and two GRAT/annuity trusts. The form was signed by an attorney-in-fact on behalf of Mr. Duda on 08/22/2025.
Positive
- RSU vesting: Acquisition of 5,712, 3,884, 4,148 and 1,832 shares via vested restricted stock units demonstrates continued compensation alignment with equity
- Transparent disclosure: Form 4 lists indirect holdings by trusts and foundation and explains tax-withholding treatment, providing clear reporting of beneficial ownership
Negative
- Share disposition: 7,818 shares were sold at $132.78 (reported as withheld for taxes), which reduces Mr. Duda's direct share count
- Concentration in related entities: Significant indirect holdings held in multiple trusts and a foundation could complicate exact beneficial ownership attribution (as disclosed)
Insights
TL;DR: Insider reported routine RSU vesting and a small disposition for tax withholding; not a material shift in ownership.
The filing documents scheduled vesting of multiple restricted stock unit awards and the related acquisition of common shares at $0.0 per share, which is standard for RSU vesting. A disposition of 7,818 shares at $132.78 is disclosed and is explicitly identified as withheld to satisfy tax obligations. The transactions appear administrative and consistent with compensation vesting schedules rather than open-market trading for strategic reallocation. Indirect holdings remain significant through family and charitable trusts, but the form does not show any large, discretionary sales or purchases beyond the withholding-related sale.
TL;DR: The filing records standard insider compensation settlements and trustee-managed holdings, with no governance red flags disclosed.
Reported activity includes vested RSUs converting to common stock and a simultaneous disposition to cover tax withholding—common practice for executive equity awards. The report clearly states Mr. Duda's roles and his trustee/co-trustee relationships for several entities that hold shares, with disclaimers of beneficial ownership where applicable. There are no indications of unusual related-party transactions, accelerated transfers, or other governance concerns in the disclosed items.
Insider Trade Summary
| Type | Security | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Restricted Stock Unit-11 | 4,148 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Exercise | Restricted Stock Unit-13 | 1,832 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Exercise | Restricted Stock Unit-7 | 5,712 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Exercise | Restricted Stock Unit-8 | 3,884 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Exercise | Common Stock | 5,712 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Exercise | Common Stock | 3,884 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Exercise | Common Stock | 4,148 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Exercise | Common Stock | 1,832 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Exercise Price or Tax Liability | Common Stock | 7,818 | $132.78 | $1.04M |
| holding | Common Stock | -- | -- | -- |
| holding | Common Stock | -- | -- | -- |
| holding | Common Stock | -- | -- | -- |
| holding | Common Stock | -- | -- | -- |
| holding | Common Stock | -- | -- | -- |
Footnotes (10)
- F1. Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Arista Networks, Inc. Common Stock upon vesting.
- F2. Represents shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations on the vesting of restricted stock units.
- F3. These shares are held in a trust for the benefit of a Child of the reporting person for which the reporting person serves as co-trustee. The reporting person shares voting and investment control over the shares but disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares.
- F4. These shares are held by a 501(c) Foundation for which the reporting person and his spouse serve as co-trustee.
- F5. Reporting person's spouse is the trustee of the Jennifer Duda Annuity Trusts.
- F6. Reporting person is the trustee of the Kenneth Duda Annuity Trusts.
- F7. Six and one-quarter percent (6.25%) of the restricted stock units awarded will vest on on February 20, 2024 and will continue to vest at the same rate on each quarterly vest date thereafter. A quarterly vest date is the first market trading day on or after February 20, May 20, August 20, and November 20 of each year.
- F8. Six and one-quarter percent (6.25%) of the restricted stock awarded vested on February 20, 2025 and will continue to vest at the same rate on each quarterly vest date thereafter. A quarterly vest date is the first market trading day on or after February 20, May 20, August 20, and November 20 of each year.
- F9. Six and one-quarter percent (6.25%) of the restricted stock units awarded will vest on February 20, 2022 and will continue to vest at the same rate on each quarterly vest date thereafter. A quarterly vest date is the first market trading day on or after February 20, May 20, August 20, and November 20 of each year.
- F10. Six and one-quarter percent (6.25%) of the restricted stock units awarded will vest on February 20, 2023 and will continue to vest at the same rate on each quarterly vest date thereafter. A quarterly vest date is the first market trading day on or after February 20, May 20, August 20, and November 20 of each year.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
