SON Form 4: Director Thomas Whiddon credited 733.7 phantom stock units
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Thomas E. Whiddon, a director of Sonoco Products Company (SON), acquired 733.7 phantom stock units on 09/10/2025 at an economic price of $46.06 per unit, increasing his reported beneficial ownership to 64,494.6 shares. The units are the economic equivalent of common stock and were granted as a quarterly dividend under Sonoco's directors' deferred compensation plan; they will be settled following the reporting person's retirement or other termination of service. The Form 4 was signed by Elizabeth R. Kremer as Power of Attorney on 09/11/2025.
Positive
- Increased reported beneficial ownership to 64,494.6 shares following the transaction
- Clear disclosure that the units are part of the directors' deferred compensation plan and will settle on retirement or termination
Negative
- None.
Insights
TL;DR: Routine deferred-compensation credit increased a director's economic stake by 733.7 phantom units; not an open-market purchase.
The filing documents a non-cash allocation of 733.7 phantom stock units valued at $46.06 each, recorded as a director dividend under a deferred compensation plan. This is a standard compensation-related accrual rather than an active cash purchase or sale of shares. The reported beneficial ownership after the transaction is 64,494.6 shares, shown as direct ownership. For investors, this is a governance/compensation disclosure rather than a signal of immediate trading activity.
TL;DR: Disclosure reflects routine director compensation mechanics; settlement tied to retirement or termination.
The Form 4 clarifies that the reported units are phantom stock credited as a quarterly dividend under the directors' deferred compensation plan and will be settled upon termination of service. The filing was submitted under power of attorney, consistent with standard practice. This is procedural compliance with Section 16 reporting and provides transparency on deferred awards converting to economic exposure to common stock.