[Form 4] PHILLIPS 66 Insider Trading Activity
Phillips 66 (PSX) – Form 4 insider transaction dated 07/08/2025
Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary Vanessa Allen Sutherland reported the automatic sale of 4,393 common shares at $130.00 per share under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted on 02/12/2025. The gross transaction value is approximately $571,000.
Following the sale, Sutherland’s direct beneficial ownership stands at 43,373 shares, which includes 21,713 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) that convert 1-for-1 into PSX shares on settlement.
- The filing indicates no derivative transactions and no changes to indirect holdings.
- The executive remains a substantial shareholder, retaining roughly 10× the shares sold.
- Because the trade was executed under a 10b5-1 plan, it is considered routine and less likely to signal a change in the executive’s outlook.
While insider selling can carry a negative perception, the modest size relative to retained ownership and the planned nature of the trade limit its market impact.
- Sale executed under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, demonstrating adherence to best-practice insider trading safeguards.
- Executive retains 43,373 shares, maintaining significant skin in the game and alignment with shareholders.
- Timely Form 4 filing indicates strong compliance discipline.
- Insider selling of ~$571k worth of shares can be perceived as a bearish signal despite the planned nature.
- Reduction of approximately 9% of the executive’s direct stake modestly decreases insider ownership.
Insights
TL;DR: Planned sale of 4,393 PSX shares (~$571k) by EVP under 10b5-1 is routine; limited directional signal.
The transaction represents roughly 9% of Sutherland’s pre-sale stake and was executed under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, reducing concerns of opportunistic selling. Retained ownership of 43,373 shares (incl. 21,713 RSUs) keeps the executive’s equity alignment intact. Given PSX’s ~475 million shares outstanding, the trade is immaterial to float and should not affect valuation. I view the disclosure as neutral in investment significance.
TL;DR: Governance-compliant, pre-planned insider sale; no red flags, minimal governance risk.
The filing explicitly cites a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan, fulfilling best-practice safeguards against insider misuse of material non-public information. Continued sizeable ownership supports shareholder alignment. No multiple reporters, no derivative activity, and timely filing further reflect strong compliance culture. Impact on governance assessment is neutral to slightly positive.