Insteel Industries (IIIN) director awarded 2,297 restricted stock units vesting 2027

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Insteel Industries director Eric Zernikow received a new equity award. On February 10, 2026, he was granted 2,297 Restricted Stock Units at a price of $0 per unit, reported as a derivative security.

The 2,297 Restricted Stock Units convert into an equal number of Insteel common shares on a one-for-one basis and will vest on February 10, 2027. Following this grant, Zernikow directly holds 2,297 derivative securities linked to Insteel common stock.

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

OMB APPROVAL

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Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Zernikow Eric

(Last) (First) (Middle)

1370 BOGGS DRIVE

(Street)

MOUNT AIRY NC 27030

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
INSTEEL INDUSTRIES INC [ IIIN ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

X	Director		10% Owner
	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
02/10/2026

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares
Restricted Stock Units	(1)	02/10/2026		A		2,297		(2)	(2)	Common Stock	2,297	$0	2,297	D

Explanation of Responses:

1. Restricted Stock Units convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis.

2. The Restricted Stock Units will vest on February 10, 2027.

	/s/ Elizabeth C. Southern, Attorney-in-Fact	02/12/2026
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.

FAQ

What insider transaction did Insteel Industries (IIIN) report for Eric Zernikow?

Insteel Industries reported that director Eric Zernikow received 2,297 Restricted Stock Units on February 10, 2026 at a price of $0. These units are a stock-based award that will convert into common shares after vesting.

How many Restricted Stock Units were granted to the Insteel (IIIN) director?

Eric Zernikow was granted 2,297 Restricted Stock Units. Each unit represents the right to receive one share of Insteel common stock, subject to vesting conditions disclosed in the filing for this equity award.

When do Eric Zernikow’s Insteel (IIIN) Restricted Stock Units vest?

The Restricted Stock Units granted to Eric Zernikow will vest on February 10, 2027. Vesting means the units convert into Insteel common shares on that date, assuming the applicable conditions are satisfied.

What does one-for-one conversion mean for Insteel (IIIN) Restricted Stock Units?

A one-for-one conversion means each Restricted Stock Unit becomes one share of Insteel common stock. For Eric Zernikow, his 2,297 units will convert into 2,297 common shares when they vest on February 10, 2027.

Is Eric Zernikow’s Insteel (IIIN) equity award a direct holding?

Yes. The Form 4 indicates the 2,297 Restricted Stock Units are held as a direct interest. The ownership code is shown as “D,” meaning the derivative securities are directly owned by Eric Zernikow rather than through an intermediate entity.

What transaction code applies to the Insteel (IIIN) director’s equity grant?

The transaction is coded “A,” which in this context indicates a grant, award, or other acquisition of derivative securities. It reflects an equity award of 2,297 Restricted Stock Units to director Eric Zernikow rather than an open-market purchase.