Smith Bradley G. 4

What Happened Bradley G. Smith, Chief Financial Officer of Central Garden & Pet Co. (CENT), received 844 shares as the settlement of performance share units on 2026-01-30. To cover withholding taxes on the award, 346 of those shares were delivered back to the company at an indicated value of $30.22 per share, totaling about $10,456. The net increase to Smith’s position from this settlement was 498 shares (844 awarded − 346 withheld). This was an equity award/settlement (not an open‑market purchase or sale).

Key Details

• Transaction date: 2026-01-30. Filing date (Form 4): 2026-02-02 (appears timely).
• Award: 844 shares granted (transaction code A, reported at $0.00 per share as a grant/settlement).
• Withholding/tax disposition: 346 shares delivered to satisfy withholding (transaction code F) at $30.22 each, totaling $10,456.
• Net shares added from this event: 498 shares.
• Footnote: F1 — shares were delivered by the reporting person in payment of the withholding tax liability upon settlement of performance share units.
• The filing does not indicate an open‑market sale or purchase; this was a compensation-related settlement.

Context Performance share unit settlements and share‑withholding for taxes are routine forms of executive compensation and do not necessarily signal a buy or sell view on the stock. The tax withholding here was done in shares (share surrender), a common cashless approach to meet tax obligations at settlement.