[SCHEDULE 13G/A] Weatherford International plc SEC Filing
Capital Research Global Investors reports beneficial ownership of 5,574,940 shares of Weatherford International common stock, representing 7.7% of the 72,556,148 shares believed outstanding. The filing states CRGI is a division of Capital Research and Management Company and that the reported shares are held with sole voting and sole dispositive power over those shares. The filing also notes the position is held in the ordinary course of business and not for the purpose of changing or influencing control. SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc. is identified in the filing as an account on whose behalf holdings are reported.
- Reported beneficial ownership of 5,574,940 shares (7.7% of 72,556,148 outstanding)
- CRGI holds sole voting and sole dispositive power for the reported shares, clarifying control of voting rights
- Filer classed as an investment adviser (IA) and states shares are held in the ordinary course, not to influence control
- None.
Insights
TL;DR: A material institutional stake—7.7%—is reported, large enough to attract investor attention though the filer disclaims control intent.
The reported 5,574,940-share position equals a material ownership stake for a single institutional investor and may be relevant to valuation and shareholder composition analyses. Because CRGI holds sole voting and dispositive power, it has the ability to vote these shares, which makes the stake operationally meaningful even though the filing explicitly states the shares were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and not for control. For analysts, this filing updates the shareholder registry and signals an institutional investor with capacity to engage on governance or strategic issues if it chooses to do so.
TL;DR: The disclosure shows clear voting control over a material block but includes a certification that the stake is not intended to change issuer control.
From a governance perspective, sole voting and dispositive power over a 7.7% holding is notable: it places CRGI among the larger public shareholders and gives it the formal ability to influence votes. The filing’s certification that the position is not held to influence control is standard for Schedule 13G filers who are passive or managing client assets. Governance teams should log this ownership change and consider it in outreach and shareholder engagement planning.