Ciena Form 4: Gary Smith Settles Tax on RSUs, Keeps 339k Shares
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Form 4 snapshot – CIENA Corporation (CIEN): President & CEO Gary B. Smith reported four separate “F”-code transactions on 20 June 2025. Code F denotes shares withheld by the issuer solely to satisfy the executive’s tax obligations triggered by the vesting of previously granted Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). No open-market sale occurred; the shares never entered the public float.
Key details
- Total shares withheld: 9,323 (2,933 + 3,048 + 1,713 + 1,629)
- Price used for withholding: $74.53 per share on each line, implying a tax-settlement value of roughly US$0.70 million.
- Post-transaction beneficial ownership: 339,157 common shares, which includes unvested RSUs and Performance Stock Units (PSUs) the executive still controls.
- Executive roles: Director; President & Chief Executive Officer.
- Related award grant dates: RSU awards dated 12/13/2022, 12/12/2023, 12/17/2024 and 12/14/2021, all previously disclosed.
Investor takeaway: The filing reflects routine, non-discretionary share withholding associated with equity award vesting. While the insider’s direct holdings decline by 9,323 shares, the reduction is purely administrative and does not signal a change in sentiment or strategy. Smith retains a substantial stake (≈ 339 k shares) aligned with shareholder interests. No option exercises, open-market sales, or new equity grants were reported in this Form 4.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insights
TL;DR: Routine tax-withholding; no directional signal, neutral impact.
The Form 4 shows Gary Smith’s shares withheld to settle federal/state taxes from four RSU tranches. Because code F transactions are automatic and non-discretionary, they carry negligible informational value about future price movements. The magnitude – ~9.3 k shares versus 339 k remaining – is modest (≈ 2.7 % of holdings). Investors should not interpret this as selling pressure; Smith’s equity exposure remains meaningful and incentives stay aligned with shareholders.
Insider Trade Summary
| Type | Security | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Price or Tax Liability | Common Stock | 2,933 | $74.53 | $219K |
| Exercise Price or Tax Liability | Common Stock | 3,048 | $74.53 | $227K |
| Exercise Price or Tax Liability | Common Stock | 1,713 | $74.53 | $128K |
| Exercise Price or Tax Liability | Common Stock | 1,629 | $74.53 | $121K |
Footnotes (5)
- F1. Represents shares withheld to cover payment of the tax liabilities of the reporting person related to a restricted stock unit (RSU) award agreement dated 12/13/2022. Acquisition of the RSU was previously reported in Table I of the reporting person's Form 4 filed on 12/15/2022.
- F2. Shares reported include unvested Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and Performance Stock Units (PSUs).
- F3. Represents shares withheld to cover payment of the tax liabilities of the reporting person related to a restricted stock unit (RSU) award agreement dated 12/12/2023. Acquisition of the RSU was previously reported in Table I of the reporting person's Form 4 filed on 12/14/2023.
- F4. Represents shares withheld to cover payment of the tax liabilities of the reporting person related to a restricted stock unit (RSU) award agreement dated 12/17/2024. Acquisition of the RSU was previously reported in Table I of the reporting person's Form 4 filed on 12/19/2024.
- F5. Represents shares withheld to cover payment of the tax liabilities of the reporting person related to a restricted stock unit (RSU) award agreement dated 12/14/2021. Acquisition of the RSU was previously reported in Table I of the reporting person's Form 4 filed on 12/16/2021.
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