code-a

Grant or award

Medium signal

Definition

Code A marks a grant or award of company stock, typically as part of a compensation package. We classify it as medium signal because grants are scheduled, not discretionary.

Form 4 code A explained

Keyword focus: form 4 code a

Form 4 code A reports a grant, award, or other acquisition from the issuer. It frequently appears in equity compensation programs, including restricted stock, RSUs, or similar award structures.

Code A can increase reported ownership, but it should not be confused with a code P open-market purchase. The insider may have received shares as compensation rather than deciding to buy stock with personal capital.

  • Often compensation-related and scheduled by the issuer.
  • Can be followed by code F tax withholding rows.
  • Useful for understanding ownership changes and executive compensation.
  • Lower discretionary signal than open-market purchases.

How to read this term

Practical filing context for this specific glossary entry

Read the transaction code first

A is the filing's primary shorthand for this event. It tells you the transaction category before you interpret price, shares, or role.

Separate market trades from mechanics

Many Form 4 codes describe compensation, withholding, exercises, gifts, or issuer transactions rather than open-market buying or selling.

Use footnotes

Footnotes often explain vesting, plan language, indirect ownership, or why the reported code was used.

Quick facts

Code
A
Priority
Medium signal
Scope
Compensation events
Frequency
Seen in ~32% of all normalized transactions
Slug
code-a

Related terms

F
Tax withholdingLow signal · code
M
Option exerciseMedium signal · code

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