Vericel (NASDAQ: VCEL) director logs RSU conversion and new 8,000-share option grant
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
4
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Vericel Corp director Paul K. Wotton reported equity compensation activity rather than open-market trading. He exercised or converted 3,200 shares of Common Stock, bringing his direct holdings to 28,802 shares. The filing shows net share acquisitions only, with no reported sales.
Wotton also received new awards: 3,200 Restricted Stock Units and 8,000 stock options with a conversion or exercise price of $33.43 per share, expiring on April 29, 2036. The options vest over one year in equal monthly increments, while the RSUs vest 100% on the earlier of April 29, 2027 or the first annual stockholders meeting after April 29, 2026. Certain RSUs were deferred into Phantom Stock units under Vericel’s Deferred Compensation Plan and will be settled in shares of Common Stock at Wotton’s elected distribution date.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insider Trade Summary
3,200 shares exercised/converted
Mixed
4 txns
Insider
Wotton Paul K
Role
null
| Type | Security | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Restricted Stock Unit | 3,200 | $0.00 | -- |
| Grant/Award | Stock Option (Right to Buy) | 8,000 | $0.00 | -- |
| Grant/Award | Restricted Stock Unit | 3,200 | $0.00 | -- |
| Exercise | Common Stock | 3,200 | $0.00 | -- |
Holdings After Transaction:
Restricted Stock Unit — 0 shares (Direct, null);
Stock Option (Right to Buy) — 8,000 shares (Direct, null);
Common Stock — 28,802 shares (Direct, null)
Footnotes (1)
- The Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) converted to Phantom Stock units and are deferred under the Vericel Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan. The units will be payable only in shares of Common Stock upon the Reporting Person's elected Benefit Distribution Date. Upon the vesting of RSUs granted to the Reporting Person on April 30, 2025, the Reporting Person deferred the receipt of 3,200 shares of Common Stock and instead received 3,200 shares of Phantom Stock pursuant to the Vericel Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan. Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of common stock of Vericel Corporation. These RSUs vest 100% on the earlier of April 30, 2026, or the date of the first Annual Meeting of Stockholders following April 30, 2025. No expiration date for this type of award. The option vests over a 1-year period, in equal monthly increments, contingent upon continued service to the Company. These RSUs vest 100% on the earlier of April 29, 2027, or the date of the first Annual Meeting of Stockholders following April 29, 2026.
Key Figures
RSU exercise/conversion: 3,200 shares
Shares held after transaction: 28,802 shares
New RSU grant: 3,200 RSUs
+3 more
6 metrics
RSU exercise/conversion
3,200 shares
Derivative exercise or conversion into Common Stock on April 29, 2026
Shares held after transaction
28,802 shares
Direct Common Stock holdings following Form 4 transactions
New RSU grant
3,200 RSUs
Restricted Stock Units tied to Common Stock, vesting by April 29, 2027
New stock options
8,000 options
Stock Option (Right to Buy) grant on April 29, 2026
Option exercise price
$33.43 per share
Conversion or exercise price for 8,000-share option grant
Option expiration
April 29, 2036
Expiration date for 8,000-share stock option grant
Key Terms
Restricted Stock Unit, Phantom Stock units, Deferred Compensation Plan, Stock Option (Right to Buy), +1 more
5 terms
Restricted Stock Unit financial
"The filing includes transactions in securities titled "Restricted Stock Unit" as equity awards."
A restricted stock unit is a promise from a company to give an employee shares of stock after certain conditions are met, like staying with the company for a set amount of time. It’s like earning a bonus that turns into company stock once you’ve proven your commitment, making it a way to motivate and reward employees.
Phantom Stock units financial
"The Restricted Stock Units converted to Phantom Stock units and are deferred under the plan."
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
"Units are deferred under the Vericel Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan."
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.
Stock Option (Right to Buy) financial
"One transaction involves a security titled "Stock Option (Right to Buy)"."
Benefit Distribution Date financial
"Units will be payable only in shares upon the elected Benefit Distribution Date."
