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 | -- |
| Exercise | Restricted Stock Unit-13 | 1,832 | $0.00 | -- |
| Exercise | Restricted Stock Unit-7 | 5,712 | $0.00 | -- |
| Exercise | Restricted Stock Unit-8 | 3,884 | $0.00 | -- |
| Exercise | Common Stock | 5,712 | $0.00 | -- |
| Exercise | Common Stock | 3,884 | $0.00 | -- |
| Exercise | Common Stock | 4,148 | $0.00 | -- |
| Exercise | Common Stock | 1,832 | $0.00 | -- |
| Tax Withholding | Common Stock | 7,818 | $132.78 | $1.04M |
| holding | Common Stock | -- | -- | -- |
| holding | Common Stock | -- | -- | -- |
| holding | Common Stock | -- | -- | -- |
| holding | Common Stock | -- | -- | -- |
| holding | Common Stock | -- | -- | -- |
Footnotes (1)
- Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Arista Networks, Inc. Common Stock upon vesting. Represents shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations on the vesting of restricted stock units. 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. These shares are held by a 501(c) Foundation for which the reporting person and his spouse serve as co-trustee. Reporting person's spouse is the trustee of the Jennifer Duda Annuity Trusts. Reporting person is the trustee of the Kenneth Duda Annuity Trusts. 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. 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. 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. 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.
