A form of equity compensation that vests over time.
Definition
RSUs are a promise from a company to give an employee shares of stock at a future date, provided certain conditions are met (like staying at the company for 4 years). Unlike options, RSUs have value even if the stock price goes down.
Why it matters for Whale Tracking
When RSUs vest, they appear on Form 4. This often causes 'Tax Withholding' (Code F) sales. Whale trackers must ignore these 'automatic' sales because they don't represent a lack of faith in the company—they represent a tax bill. Understanding RSUs prevents you from misinterpreting compensation as a sell signal.
Technical Nuance
RSUs can be a powerful tool for aligning executive interests with those of shareholders. However, they can also create tax liabilities and may not provide the same upside potential as direct stock ownership.
Track Restricted Stock Units (RSU)s Live
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Real-World Example
"A Senior VP has 5,000 RSUs vest. 2,000 are sold immediately by the company to pay taxes (Code F). The terminal filters this out, focusing instead on the fact that the VP kept the remaining 3,000 shares."
Fundamental Quant Thesis
Go beyond the raw data. Read institutional-grade analysis on why tax-withholding insiders are moving capital and the long-term structural impact.