[Form 4] Sonoco Products Company Insider Trading Activity
John R. Haley, a director of Sonoco Products Company (SON), acquired 860.3 phantom stock units on 09/10/2025. Each phantom stock unit is the economic equivalent of one share of Sonoco common stock and the reported per-share value for the transaction is $46.06. After the acquisition, Haley is shown as beneficially owning 75,630.3 shares (or equivalents).
The units were received as a quarterly dividend under Sonoco's directors' deferred compensation plan and will be settled upon Haley's retirement or other termination of service. The Form 4 was submitted on behalf of Haley by Elizabeth R. Kremer under power of attorney on 09/11/2025.
- Director increased economic stake by 860.3 phantom units, bringing beneficial ownership to 75,630.3 equivalents
 - Use of deferred compensation plan aligns director economic interests with long-term shareholder value by settling units on retirement or termination
 
- None.
 
Insights
TL;DR: Routine director compensation deferral increases insider stake modestly; no red flags.
The filing documents a standard deferred-compensation mechanism where a director received phantom stock units as a dividend credit. This increases the director's economic exposure to Sonoco by 860.3 equivalent shares, bringing total beneficial ownership to 75,630.3. Because the units settle on retirement or termination, they align long-term interests but do not represent immediately tradable stock. No governance concerns or unusual timing are apparent from the disclosure.
TL;DR: Compensation-related issuance consistent with typical director deferred-pay programs; impact is modest.
The entry shows a quarter-end dividend crediting 860.3 phantom units at $46.06 each. This is a non-cash, deferred award that preserves the director's economic exposure to share performance without immediate share issuance. The incremental value (860.3 units times $46.06) is documented implicitly, but the filing contains no indication of material dilution or a change to plan terms.