STOCK TITAN

Scotts Miracle-Gro (NYSE: SMG) CEO receives 1,507 phantom stock units and updates holdings

Filing Impact
(Neutral)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
4

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

HAGEDORN JAMES reported acquisition or exercise transactions in this Form 4 filing.

SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO CO Chairman & CEO James Hagedorn reported a compensation-related grant of 1,507.024 phantom stock units on common shares at $59.94 per unit. Each phantom stock unit represents the right to receive one common share or its cash value, payable in cash after his employment ends.

Following this grant, Hagedorn holds 241,406.428 phantom stock units directly, plus 88,630.7508 common shares directly after a small other transaction of 39.185 shares. Indirect holdings include 997,910 common shares through Hagedorn Partnership, L.P. and 31,533.640 common shares via a 401(k) plan.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.
Insider HAGEDORN JAMES
Role Chairman & CEO
Type Security Shares Price Value
Grant/Award Phantom Stock 1,507.024 $59.94 $90K
holding Common Shares -- -- --
holding Common Shares -- -- --
Other Common Shares 39.185 $51.04 $2K
Holdings After Transaction: Phantom Stock — 241,406.428 shares (Direct, null); Common Shares — 31,533.64 shares (Indirect, By 401(K) Plan); Common Shares — 88,630.751 shares (Direct, null)
Footnotes (1)
  1. Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 16a-1(a)(1), the reporting person may be deemed, solely for purposes of determining whether he is a beneficial owner of more than 10% of the common shares of the Issuer ("Common Shares"), to be the beneficial owner of the securities of the Issuer that are held by Hagedorn Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership in which the reporting person is a general partner (the "Partnership"). Represents the aggregate proportionate interest of the reporting person and those family members in whose holdings he may be deemed to have a pecuniary interest, in Common Shares held by the Partnership. Each share of phantom stock represents the right to receive one common share of Issuer or the cash value thereof. Shares of phantom stock are payable in cash following termination of the reporting person's employment with Issuer. The reporting person may transfer his/her phantom stock into an alternative investment at any time.
Phantom stock grant 1,507.024 units Grant of phantom stock units on 2026-05-26
Phantom stock grant price $59.94 per unit Price per phantom stock unit on 2026-05-26
Total phantom stock after grant 241,406.428 units Direct phantom stock holdings following transaction
Direct common shares after J transaction 88,630.7508 shares Direct common share holdings after 39.185-share other transaction
Hagedorn Partnership indirect shares 997,910 shares Indirect common shares via Hagedorn Partnership, L.P.
401(k) plan indirect shares 31,533.640 shares Indirect common shares held through 401(k) plan
Other common share transaction 39.185 shares at $51.04 Code J other acquisition or disposition on 2026-04-30
phantom stock financial
"Each share of phantom stock represents the right to receive one common share of Issuer or the cash value thereof."
A phantom stock is a form of compensation that gives employees or executives the benefits of stock ownership, such as the increase in stock value, without actually giving them real shares. It acts like a promise to pay the employee the equivalent value of company stock later, often as a bonus or incentive. This allows companies to motivate and reward staff without diluting ownership or transferring actual shares.
Exchange Act Rule 16a-1(a)(1) regulatory
"Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 16a-1(a)(1), the reporting person may be deemed..."
beneficial owner financial
"may be deemed, solely for purposes of determining whether he is a beneficial owner of more than 10% of the common shares..."
A beneficial owner is the person who ultimately owns or controls a financial asset or property, even if their name isn't directly on official documents. Think of it like someone who secretly holds the keys to a safe deposit box—others may appear to have access, but the true owner is the one who benefits from what's inside. Identifying beneficial owners helps ensure transparency and prevent illegal activities like money laundering or fraud.
pecuniary interest financial
"those family members in whose holdings he may be deemed to have a pecuniary interest, in Common Shares held by the Partnership."
401(K) Plan financial
"nature_of_ownership: By 401(K) Plan"
A 401(k) plan is a workplace retirement account that lets employees set aside part of their pay into a tax-advantaged savings pot, often with employers adding matching contributions — like a workplace piggy bank for future income. It matters to investors because the amount people save and how employers fund these plans influence consumer spending, corporate payroll costs and the flow of money into financial markets, which can affect stock prices and company valuations.
SEC Form 4
FORM 4UNITED 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
OMB Number:3235-0287
Estimated average burden
hours per response:0.5
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*
HAGEDORN JAMES

(Last)(First)(Middle)
C/O THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
14111 SCOTTSLAWN ROAD

(Street)
MARYSVILLE OHIO 43041

(City)(State)(Zip)

UNITED STATES

(Country)
2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO CO [ SMG ]
5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)
XDirectorX10% Owner
XOfficer (give title below)Other (specify below)
Chairman & CEO
2a. Foreign Trading Symbol
3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
05/26/2026
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)
XForm filed by One Reporting Person
Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

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)
CodeVAmount(A) or (D)Price
Common Shares04/30/2026JV39.185A$51.0488,630.7508D
Common Shares31,533.64IBy 401(K) Plan
Common Shares997,910IHPLP(1)
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)
CodeV(A)(D)Date ExercisableExpiration DateTitleAmount or Number of Shares
Phantom Stock(2)05/26/2026A1,507.024 (3) (3)Common Shares1,507.024$59.94241,406.428D
Explanation of Responses:
1. Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 16a-1(a)(1), the reporting person may be deemed, solely for purposes of determining whether he is a beneficial owner of more than 10% of the common shares of the Issuer ("Common Shares"), to be the beneficial owner of the securities of the Issuer that are held by Hagedorn Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership in which the reporting person is a general partner (the "Partnership"). Represents the aggregate proportionate interest of the reporting person and those family members in whose holdings he may be deemed to have a pecuniary interest, in Common Shares held by the Partnership.
2. Each share of phantom stock represents the right to receive one common share of Issuer or the cash value thereof.
3. Shares of phantom stock are payable in cash following termination of the reporting person's employment with Issuer. The reporting person may transfer his/her phantom stock into an alternative investment at any time.
Remarks:
/s/ Kathy L. Uttley as attorney-in-fact for James Hagedorn05/28/2026
** Signature of Reporting PersonDate
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.
* Form 4: SEC 1474 (03-26)

FAQ

What insider transaction did SMG Chairman & CEO James Hagedorn report?

James Hagedorn reported a grant of 1,507.024 phantom stock units tied to SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO common shares at $59.94 per unit. This is a compensation-related award, not an open-market stock purchase or sale.

How many phantom stock units does James Hagedorn hold after this SMG filing?

After the reported grant, James Hagedorn holds 241,406.428 phantom stock units. Each unit represents the right to receive one SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO common share or its cash value, generally payable in cash after his employment ends.

What are James Hagedorn’s direct common share holdings in SMG after the Form 4?

Following a small other transaction of 39.185 common shares, James Hagedorn directly holds 88,630.7508 SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO common shares. This direct ownership is separate from his phantom stock units and indirect partnership and 401(k) holdings.

What indirect SMG share holdings are attributed to James Hagedorn?

Indirectly, Hagedorn is attributed 997,910 common shares held by Hagedorn Partnership, L.P. and 31,533.640 common shares held through a 401(k) plan. The partnership amount reflects his and certain family members’ aggregate proportionate interests.

How does SMG define phantom stock in James Hagedorn’s compensation?

Each phantom stock unit represents the right to receive one SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO common share or its cash value. These units are payable in cash after Hagedorn’s employment ends, and he may transfer phantom stock into alternative investments at any time.

Was there any significant SMG stock sale by James Hagedorn in this Form 4?

No significant sale is reported. The filing shows a grant of 1,507.024 phantom stock units and a small 39.185-share other transaction in common stock, along with updated direct and indirect holdings, rather than large open-market buying or selling.