Director equity awards at Lifeway Foods (LWAY): phantom stock and RSUs
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
4
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Lifeway Foods, Inc. director Juan Carlos Dalto reported an award of 776 shares of phantom stock on March 31, 2026. Each phantom share represents the right to receive one share of common stock and becomes payable when he no longer serves as a director.
The phantom stock was acquired by deferring his cash compensation for board service for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 under the Non-Employee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan. Following this award, he holds 7,362 phantom stock units, 4,751 common shares, and multiple restricted stock unit grants with future vesting dates.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insider Trade Summary
5 transactions reported
Mixed
5 txns
Insider
Dalto Juan Carlos
Role
Director
| Type | Security | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant/Award | Phantom Stock | 776 | $0.00 | -- |
| holding | Restricted Stock Units | -- | -- | -- |
| holding | Restricted Stock Units | -- | -- | -- |
| holding | Restricted Stock Units | -- | -- | -- |
| holding | Common Stock | -- | -- | -- |
Holdings After Transaction:
Phantom Stock — 7,362 shares (Direct);
Restricted Stock Units — 2,512 shares (Direct);
Common Stock — 4,751 shares (Direct)
Footnotes (1)
- Each restricted stock unit ("RSU") represents a contingent right to receive one share of common stock. The RSUs vest on December 30, 2026 contingent on the Reporting Person's continued service as a Director on such vesting date. The remaining RSUs will vest on August 31, 2026, contingent on the Reporting Person's continued service as a Director on each applicable vesting date. Of such RSUs, 1,356 will vest on July 1, 2026 and 1,354 will vest on July 1, 2027, contingent on the Reporting Person's continued service as a Director on each applicable vesting date. Each share of phantom stock represents a right to receive one share of common stock. The phantom stock becomes payable on the date that the Reporting Person no longer serves as a director of the Company. The acquired shares of phantom stock were acquired upon deferral of the Reporting Person's cash compensation for service on the Board of Directors in the quarter ended March 31, 2026 pursuant to the Company's Non-Employee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan.
Key Figures
Phantom stock grant: 776 units
Phantom stock balance: 7,362 units
Common stock holding: 4,751 shares
+3 more
6 metrics
Phantom stock grant
776 units
Awarded March 31, 2026 for deferred board compensation
Phantom stock balance
7,362 units
Total phantom stock following the March 31, 2026 award
Common stock holding
4,751 shares
Direct common shares held after reported transactions
RSU grant 1
2,512 underlying shares
RSUs vesting on December 30, 2026, one share per unit
RSU grant 2
1,550 underlying shares
Remaining RSUs scheduled to vest on August 31, 2026
RSU grant 3
2,710 underlying shares
RSUs vesting 1,356 on July 1, 2026 and 1,354 on July 1, 2027
Key Terms
Phantom stock, Restricted stock unit, Contingent right, Non-Employee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan, +1 more
5 terms
Phantom stock financial
"Each share of phantom stock represents a right to receive one share of common stock."
A phantom stock is a form of compensation that gives employees or executives the benefits of stock ownership, such as the increase in stock value, without actually giving them real shares. It acts like a promise to pay the employee the equivalent value of company stock later, often as a bonus or incentive. This allows companies to motivate and reward staff without diluting ownership or transferring actual shares.
Restricted stock unit financial
"Each restricted stock unit ("RSU") represents a contingent right to receive one share of common stock."
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.
Contingent right financial
"represents a contingent right to receive one share of common stock."
Non-Employee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan financial
"pursuant to the Company's Non-Employee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan."
Vesting financial
"The RSUs vest on December 30, 2026 contingent on the Reporting Person's continued service as a Director"
Vesting is the process by which you earn full ownership of something, like company stock or a retirement benefit, over time. It’s like earning the right to keep a gift piece by piece the longer you stay with a company, making sure employees stay committed before they receive all the benefits.
FAQ
What did Lifeway Foods (LWAY) director Juan Carlos Dalto report on this Form 4?
He reported receiving 776 phantom stock units as compensation, tied to his board service. These units are linked to deferred cash fees for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 and each represents one share of Lifeway Foods common stock when ultimately settled.
Is the Lifeway Foods (LWAY) Form 4 a stock purchase or a compensation grant?
It reflects a compensation grant, not an open-market stock purchase. Dalto received 776 phantom stock units in lieu of cash fees for board service, under the company’s Non-Employee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan, with no cash payment by him and no sale of shares.
How and when will Juan Carlos Dalto’s phantom stock in Lifeway Foods (LWAY) be paid?
Each phantom stock unit equals one share of common stock, payable when he no longer serves as a director. Until that separation date, the phantom stock remains an unsecured promise to deliver shares, aligning his compensation with shareholder interests over his board tenure.
What restricted stock unit (RSU) awards for Lifeway Foods (LWAY) does Dalto hold and when do they vest?
He holds several RSU grants, each equal to common shares. One grant vests on December 30, 2026, another’s remaining units vest on August 31, 2026, and a 2,710-unit grant vests in two tranches of 1,356 and 1,354 units on July 1, 2026 and July 1, 2027.
What is the purpose of the Non-Employee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan at Lifeway Foods (LWAY)?
The plan allows non-employee directors to defer cash fees into equity-based awards such as phantom stock. In this case, Dalto deferred board cash compensation for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, receiving 776 phantom stock units that mirror common shares and settle after his board service ends.