How Many Shares of Kroger Stock Does Rodney McMullen Own? A Comprehensive Guide to Executive Stock Ownership
Hello there, inquisitive investor! Are you curious about the intricacies of executive compensation and stock ownership? Specifically, do you want to delve into the holdings of a significant figure like Rodney McMullen, the former Chairman and CEO of The Kroger Co.? You've come to the right place! Understanding how much stock top executives own can provide valuable insights into their alignment with shareholder interests and their confidence in the company's future.
Let's embark on this journey of discovery together, with a step-by-step guide to uncover this information and understand its implications.
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| How Many Shares Of Kroger Stock Does Rodney Mcmullen Own |
Step 1: Understanding the Importance of Executive Stock Ownership
Before we dive into the specifics of Rodney McMullen's holdings, let's understand why this information matters. As a shareholder, or a prospective one, knowing an executive's stake in the company can offer a glimpse into their commitment.
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Alignment of Interests: When an executive holds a substantial number of shares, their personal financial well-being is directly tied to the company's performance. This often means their decisions are more likely to align with the interests of other shareholders, as a rising stock price benefits everyone.
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Confidence in the Company: A significant personal investment signals the executive's belief in the long-term prospects and strategic direction of the company. It's a tangible demonstration of their faith.
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Transparency and Governance: Public disclosure of executive stock ownership is a cornerstone of good corporate governance. It provides transparency and allows investors to scrutinize potential conflicts of interest.
Are you ready to dig into the details? Let's proceed!
Step 2: Identifying Key Sources for Executive Stock Data
Where do we find such specific information about an individual's stock ownership in a publicly traded company? Fortunately, regulatory bodies and financial platforms provide this data.
Sub-heading 2.1: SEC Filings - The Gold Standard
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is your primary and most reliable source. Publicly traded companies in the U.S. are required to file various reports, including those detailing insider transactions.
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Form 4 (Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership): This is the most crucial document for tracking individual insider stock transactions. When an executive buys or sells shares, or when restricted stock units (RSUs) or options vest, these changes are typically reported on Form 4 within two business days.
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Proxy Statements (DEF 14A): These annual documents, sent to shareholders before the annual meeting, contain detailed information about executive compensation, including stock awards, options, and overall beneficial ownership.
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Annual Reports (10-K): While less granular for individual transactions, the 10-K often provides a summary of executive ownership and compensation plans.
Sub-heading 2.2: Financial Data Websites
Numerous financial websites compile and present data from SEC filings in a more user-friendly format. These can be excellent starting points, but it's always wise to cross-reference with the original SEC filings for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Popular examples include GuruFocus, Nasdaq's insider activity pages, and others that specialize in insider trading data.
Tip: Watch for summary phrases — they give the gist.
Step 3: Uncovering Rodney McMullen's Kroger Stock Holdings
Now for the main event! Based on available public records and financial data, here's what we know about Rodney McMullen's ownership of Kroger stock:
As of June 23, 2020, Rodney McMullen owned approximately 3,012,100 shares of The Kroger Co. (KR) stock. At that time, these shares were valued at over $213 Million.
Important Note on Recent Changes: It's crucial to acknowledge that Rodney McMullen resigned as Chairman and CEO of Kroger in March 2025 following a board investigation into his personal conduct. As a result of his resignation, he forfeited $11.2 million in unvested stock and options that were outstanding under Kroger's 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan. He did, however, retain equity awards that had fully vested as of his resignation date.
Therefore, while the 3,012,100 shares represent his holdings as of a specific past date (June 23, 2020), his current holdings would be lower due to the forfeiture of unvested equity upon his resignation in March 2025. To ascertain his exact current holdings, one would need to review the most recent Form 4 filings related to his departure and any subsequent transactions. However, the publicly available data often focuses on his holdings prior to the significant event of his resignation.
Sub-heading 3.1: The Dynamic Nature of Executive Holdings
It's vital to understand that executive stock ownership is not static. It can change due to:
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Vesting of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and Stock Options: These are common forms of executive compensation that vest over time, adding to an executive's share count.
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Open Market Purchases and Sales: Executives can buy or sell shares on the open market, subject to company policies and insider trading regulations.
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Exercise of Stock Options: Executives may exercise options, converting them into shares.
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Company Stock Plans: Participation in various company stock plans can also affect their holdings.
Step 4: Interpreting the Data and Its Implications
The number of shares an executive owns is just one piece of the puzzle. How do we interpret it?
Sub-heading 4.1: Analyzing the Value of Holdings
The dollar value of an executive's holdings often provides a more impactful perspective than just the number of shares, as it directly relates to their personal wealth tied to the company's stock performance.
Tip: Reread complex ideas to fully understand them.
Sub-heading 4.2: Comparing to Overall Compensation
Executive compensation packages are typically a mix of base salary, annual bonuses, and long-term incentive awards (often in the form of stock or options). The proportion of stock-based compensation compared to cash compensation can tell you a lot about the company's philosophy on aligning executive and shareholder interests. In 2024 (his last complete fiscal year), Rodney McMullen's pay package was mostly in line with 2023, with a significant portion being stock options.
Sub-heading 4.3: Considering the Context of Departure
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Rodney McMullen's recent departure from Kroger, specifically the forfeiture of unvested equity, highlights the importance of understanding the terms of executive compensation and the potential impact of such events on their final holdings. This also underscores the company's commitment to its ethics policy.
Step 5: Staying Up-to-Date on Executive Ownership
For investors, staying current on insider transactions and executive ownership is an ongoing process.
Sub-heading 5.1: Setting Up Alerts
Many financial platforms allow you to set up email alerts for specific company filings, including Form 4s. This ensures you're notified whenever an executive's holdings change.
Sub-heading 5.2: Regular Review of SEC Filings
For serious investors, a periodic review of a company's SEC filings, especially proxy statements and recent Form 4s, is a good practice.
Conclusion: A Dynamic Landscape
QuickTip: Look for lists — they simplify complex points.
Understanding "how many shares of Kroger stock Rodney McMullen owns" (or owned) is more than just a trivia question. It's about recognizing the intricate relationship between executive leadership, compensation structures, and shareholder value. While precise, real-time figures can fluctuate, the publicly available data provides a strong indication of his significant historical investment in the company he led for many years. His recent departure, and the financial implications tied to his unvested equity, further underscore the dynamic nature of executive stock ownership.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to find out how many shares a CEO owns?
To find out how many shares a CEO owns, you should primarily check the company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), specifically Form 4 (Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership) and the annual Proxy Statement (DEF 14A).
How to interpret executive stock ownership data?
Interpret executive stock ownership data by considering the total value of their holdings, the proportion of their compensation that is equity-based, and any recent changes in their ownership (buys or sells) as reported on Form 4.
How to access SEC filings for free?
You can access SEC filings for free directly through the SEC's EDGAR database (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system) on their official website (sec.gov).
How to understand the different types of executive stock compensation?
Executive stock compensation typically includes restricted stock units (RSUs) which vest over time, and stock options which give the right to buy shares at a set price. Both incentivize long-term performance.
Tip: Write down what you learned.
How to tell if an executive is selling shares for personal reasons or due to lack of confidence?
It can be difficult to definitively tell. Large, sustained sales might indicate a lack of confidence, but often executives sell shares for personal financial planning, diversification, or tax purposes. Reviewing Form 4 for reasons, if provided, and the overall context of the company's performance is key.
How to track insider trading activity?
You can track insider trading activity by regularly checking Form 4 filings on the SEC EDGAR database, or by using financial news and data websites that aggregate and report on insider transactions.
How to compare executive compensation across different companies?
Compare executive compensation by looking at the total compensation package (salary, bonus, stock awards), the pay ratio to median employee pay, and how compensation is tied to performance metrics as detailed in proxy statements.
How to understand the vesting schedule of executive stock awards?
The vesting schedule, which specifies when restricted stock or options become fully owned by the executive, is typically detailed in the company's proxy statement (DEF 14A) under the executive compensation section.
How to determine if executive stock ownership aligns with shareholder interests?
Executive stock ownership aligns with shareholder interests when a significant portion of their wealth is tied to the company's stock performance, meaning they benefit when the stock price increases, similar to other shareholders.
How to find historical data on executive stock ownership?
Historical data on executive stock ownership can be found in past SEC filings (Form 4 and DEF 14A) available on the SEC EDGAR database or through various financial data providers that archive this information.
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