Southern Company (SO) director defers retainers into stock and cash units
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
4
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Southern Company director Anthony F. Earley Jr. reported routine compensation-related awards rather than open-market trades. On July 1, 2026, he acquired 473.0866 deferred stock units tied to Southern Company common stock, bringing his deferred stock unit balance to 31,592.0786 units. He also received 229.9727 phantom stock units, increasing his phantom unit holdings to 858.9727 units.
Footnotes explain these are quarterly board retainers deferred under company plans. Deferred stock units will be settled in shares of common stock after his board service ends, while phantom stock units will be settled in cash based on the value of one Southern Company share. Both types of units also receive additional credits for reinvested dividends.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insider Trade Summary
2 transactions reported
Mixed
2 txns
Insider
EARLEY ANTHONY F JR
Role
null
| Type | Security | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant/Award | Deferred Stock Units Holding | 473.087 | $95.12 | $45K |
| Grant/Award | Phantom Stock Units | 229.973 | $95.12 | $22K |
Holdings After Transaction:
Deferred Stock Units Holding — 31,592.079 shares (Direct, null);
Phantom Stock Units — 858.973 shares (Direct, null)
Footnotes (1)
- Represents quarterly director equity retainer paid under the Southern Company 2021 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan and deferred pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors of The Southern Company (Deferred Compensation Plan). Each deferred stock unit represents the right to receive one share of Southern Company common stock. Deferred stock units are settled in shares of Southern Company common stock on the date(s) following the termination of the reporting person's service on the Board as specified by the reporting person pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan. There is no exercise or expiration date. Includes additional deferred stock units acquired through the dividend reinvestment feature of the Deferred Compensation Plan. Represents quarterly director cash retainer paid under the Southern Company 2021 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan and deferred pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan. Each phantom stock unit represents the right to receive the cash value of one share of Southern Company common stock. Phantom stock units are settled in cash on the date(s) following the termination of the reporting person's service on the Board as specified by the reporting person pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan. Includes additional phantom stock units credited to the reporting person's account to reflect dividends paid on common stock prior to settlement pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan.
Key Figures
Deferred stock units granted: 473.0866 units
Deferred stock units held after grant: 31,592.0786 units
Phantom stock units granted: 229.9727 units
+2 more
5 metrics
Deferred stock units granted
473.0866 units
Grant on July 1, 2026; tied to Southern Company common stock
Deferred stock units held after grant
31,592.0786 units
Balance following July 1, 2026 award
Phantom stock units granted
229.9727 units
Quarterly director cash retainer deferred July 1, 2026
Phantom stock units held after grant
858.9727 units
Balance following July 1, 2026 award
Reference value per unit
$95.1200 per unit
Price per share used for July 1, 2026 unit calculations
Key Terms
Deferred stock units, Phantom stock units, Deferred Compensation Plan, 2021 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan
4 terms
Deferred stock units financial
"Each deferred stock unit represents the right to receive one share of Southern Company common stock."
Deferred stock units are promises from a company to give an employee shares of stock at a future date, often after certain conditions are met or after leaving the company. They function like a form of delayed compensation, allowing employees to earn shares over time. For investors, they represent potential future ownership in the company, but do not provide immediate voting rights or dividends until the shares are actually received.
Phantom stock units financial
"Each phantom stock unit represents the right to receive the cash value of one share of Southern Company common stock."
Phantom stock units are company promises that pay a cash or stock-equivalent award tied to the firm’s share price or value growth, but they do not issue actual shares. Think of them as a bonus check that moves with the stock like a mirror rather than handing over an ownership slice. Investors care because these awards can affect a company’s future cash obligations, executive incentives and reported expenses without causing share dilution.
Deferred Compensation Plan financial
"Deferred pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors of The Southern Company."
A deferred compensation plan is an arrangement where an employer agrees to pay part of an employee’s pay or bonus at a later date instead of immediately, often to reduce current tax bills or to tie rewards to long-term performance. For investors it matters because these promises create future cash obligations and influence executive incentives and retention; they can affect a company’s reported liabilities, cash flow planning and the risk profile if the business faces financial trouble.
2021 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan financial
"Paid under the Southern Company 2021 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan and deferred pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan."
