[Form 4] Vaxcyte, Inc. Insider Trading Activity
Grant Pickering, who is both Chief Executive Officer and a director of Vaxcyte, Inc. (PCVX), reported a transaction on 09/08/2025 in a Form 4 filing. The filing shows 7,356 shares of common stock were disposed of at $32.41 per share; the explanation states these shares were surrendered to the issuer to cover tax withholding when restricted stock units vested. After the reported transaction, Mr. Pickering beneficially owned 500,908 shares directly. The filing also discloses two trusts holding 136,215 shares each for his son and daughter. The Form 4 was signed on 09/10/2025 by an attorney-in-fact.
- Disclosure identifies tax-withholding surrender rather than an open-market sale, clarifying the nature of the disposition
- Substantial retained ownership: 500,908 shares held directly plus two trusts with 136,215 shares each, showing alignment with shareholders
- Timely and complete Section 16 disclosure including post-transaction beneficial ownership and explanation
- Shares disposed: 7,356 shares were surrendered, reducing direct holdings by that amount
- Potential perception risk: Any insider disposition can attract investor attention even if for tax withholding
Insights
TL;DR: Routine tax-withholding share surrender; modest disposal relative to total holdings, showing no material change in ownership stake.
The reported disposal of 7,356 shares at $32.41 per share was identified as a surrender to cover tax withholding on vested RSUs rather than an open-market sale. That distinction is important because it indicates the action was administrative and related to compensation vesting. The reporting person retains a substantial direct holding of 500,908 shares plus two trusts of 136,215 shares each, which suggests continued alignment with shareholders. From a quantitative perspective, the surrendered shares represent a small fraction of the total reported beneficial ownership.
TL;DR: Transaction appears procedural and consistent with typical insider compensation mechanics; disclosure is timely and complete.
The Form 4 discloses both the nature of the disposition (tax withholding on RSU vesting) and the post-transaction holdings, satisfying Section 16 reporting requirements. The filing identifies indirect holdings via two children's trusts, making the reporting of indirect beneficial ownership clear. The use of an attorney-in-fact signature is documented. There are no indications in the filing of material governance events or unreported related-party transactions.