[Form 4] TMC the metals Co Inc. Insider Trading Activity
Craig Shesky, Chief Financial Officer of TMC the metals Co Inc. (TMC), was granted 2,000,000 restricted stock units (RSUs) on 09/23/2025. Each RSU converts to one common share upon vesting, and the full award is reported as 2,000,000 underlying common shares held directly following the grant.
The RSUs were issued under the companys long-term retention plan and vest only if the reporting person remains employed through the retention date of September 1, 2029, and if specified average share price performance targets are met by April 16, 2029: 50% vest if the trailing 30-day average closing price reaches $10.00 and the remaining 50% vest if that average reaches $12.50. Shares received upon settlement may not be sold or transferred prior to the retention date.
- Performance-based vesting ties 50% of the award to a $10.00 average share price and 50% to a $12.50 average, aligning incentives with shareholder value
- Long-term retention requirement through September 1, 2029 promotes executive stability and continuity
- Transfer restriction prevents sale of settled shares prior to the retention date, reinforcing long-term focus
- Potential dilution if all 2,000,000 RSUs settle into common shares
- Large grant size could be material relative to outstanding shares (magnitude not quantified in this filing)
Insights
TL;DR: A performance-based RSU grant aligns CFO pay with share-price milestones and multi-year retention.
The 2,000,000 RSU award to the CFO ties a substantial portion of potential compensation to market performance and time-based retention through 09/01/2029. The dual price hurdles ($10.00 and $12.50 average over 30 days) combined with a prohibition on transfer until the retention date create strong retention incentives and align managements interests with long-term shareholder value. The grants size is notable relative to typical insider awards and could have dilutionary implications if fully settled, but the award is conditional on both continued employment and achievement of explicit share-price thresholds.
TL;DR: Form 4 discloses a single, non-derivative RSU grant with explicit vesting triggers and direct ownership reporting.
The filing reports a non-derivative issuance of 2,000,000 RSUs exercisable into common shares upon vesting. Transaction date is 09/23/2025 and the reporting shows direct beneficial ownership of 2,000,000 shares following the grant. Vesting conditions and transfer restrictions are documented, reducing immediate liquidity and establishing clear conditions for future settlement. The disclosure follows Section 16 reporting requirements and is executed by an attorney-in-fact on 09/24/2025.