STERN JAMES F 4

What Happened

• James F. Stern, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Strategy & Security at A. O. Smith (AOS), was granted 7,015 restricted stock units (RSUs) on February 9, 2026.
• The RSUs were granted at $0.00 (no cash purchase); each RSU represents the right to receive one share of A. O. Smith common stock at settlement. The filing lists this as a derivative award (transaction code A).

Key Details

• Transaction date: 2026-02-09; filing date: 2026-02-11 (timely).
• Security: 7,015 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) @ $0.00; total cash value not reported in the Form 4.
• Vesting/settlement: RSUs become payable in common stock on 2029-02-09 (three-year vesting).
• Plan and exemption: Granted under the A. O. Smith Combined Incentive Compensation Plan; transaction exempt under Rule 16b-3.
• Shares owned after transaction: Not specified in this Form 4.

Context

• This is a compensation grant (award), not a market purchase or sale. RSUs generally convert into shares at vesting and are typically taxed as ordinary income when settled.
• Because it’s an award under the company plan and exempt under Rule 16b-3, it does not trigger short-swing profit rules. This type of filing documents executive compensation rather than an immediate bullish or bearish trading signal.