Machek Howard 4

What Happened

• Howard Machek, Chief Accounting Officer of Central Garden & Pet Co. (CENT), had multiple equity transactions on January 30, 2026. He exercised 4,255 options at an exercise price/value shown as $22.80 per share (total value reported $97,014). He also received 2,253 shares as an award/settlement (reported at $0). To cover withholding tax obligations and/or payment obligations, he delivered/surrendered shares: 985 shares disposed at $30.22 ($29,767) and 3,667 shares disposed at $30.22 ($110,817). The filing also reports the derivative (the option) as disposed/converted in connection with the exercise.

Key Details

• Transaction date: January 30, 2026; Form 4 filed February 2, 2026 (appears timely; filed within the two-business-day window).
• Individual transactions reported:
  • Award/settlement: 2,253 shares acquired @ $0.00 (value $0).
  • Option exercise: 4,255 shares acquired @ $22.80 (value $97,014).
  • Tax/withholding disposals: 985 shares disposed @ $30.22 ($29,767) and 3,667 shares disposed @ $30.22 ($110,817).
  • Derivative disposition: 4,255 shares listed as disposed @ $0.00 (represents conversion/termination of the derivative instrument).
• Shares owned after the transactions: not provided in the excerpt.
• Relevant footnotes:
  • F1/F3: Shares were delivered by the reporting person to satisfy withholding tax liabilities upon settlement/vesting of awards.
  • F2: Reference to CENTA Stock Fund units in the company 401(k) (consist of CENTA shares and cash) — not tied to a specific transaction above.
  • F4: The options were granted Feb 10, 2020; they were vested and have been exercised.
• No indication in this filing that the Form 4 was late.

Context

• This is primarily an option exercise combined with routine share withholding to cover taxes (a common cashless exercise/settlement pattern). The transaction includes an award/settlement of performance/restricted shares and the use of shares to satisfy withholding obligations — these actions are generally administrative and do not necessarily signal a change in insider sentiment. Purchases by insiders tend to carry more informational weight for retail investors; here the notable item is the option exercise (acquisition via exercise) with shares surrendered to meet tax obligations.