Teresa M. Vermillion, VP & Treasurer, executed the sale of 4,500 shares of Olin Corporation (OLN 4.71%) via option exercise and immediate disposition, as disclosed in this SEC Form 4 filing.
Transaction summary
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Shares sold | 4,500 |
| Transaction value | ~$93,850.20 |
| Post-transaction shares | 17,199 |
| Post-transaction value (direct ownership) | ~$353,783.43 |
Transaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average purchase price ($20.86); post-transaction value based on Nov. 26, 2025 market close ($20.86).
Key questions
- What is the structure and significance of this transaction?
The transaction involved the exercise of 4,500 options for common stock and the immediate sale of the underlying shares, resulting in no net increase in direct share ownership. This type of transaction is typically associated with administrative or tax planning rather than a directional bet on the stock. - How does this event affect the insider's direct equity stake?
Direct holdings decreased from 21,699 to 17,199 shares, representing a 20.74% reduction in direct ownership. Teresa M. Vermillion now holds approximately 0.015% of outstanding shares in the company through direct ownership. - How does the sale price compare to recent market levels and the company's performance?
Shares were sold at a weighted average of around $20.86 per share. The company’s stock has declined by 48.69% over the past year, as of the transaction date.
Company overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Revenue (TTM) | $6.8 billion |
| Net income (TTM) | $53.80 million |
| Dividend yield | 3.9% |
| 1-year price change | -48.69% |
* 1-year price change calculated using Nov. 26th, 2025 as the reference date.
Company snapshot
- Olin Corporation generates revenue through three primary segments: Chlor Alkali Products and Vinyls (chlorine, caustic soda, and related chemicals), Epoxy (epoxy resins and precursors), and Winchester (sporting and military ammunition).
- The company operates a vertically integrated model, manufacturing and distributing specialty chemicals and ammunition products for industrial, commercial, and government end markets.
- Key customers include industrial manufacturers, mass merchants, retailers, wholesalers, and U.S. government agencies and contractors.
Olin Corporation is a diversified chemicals and ammunition producer with significant scale, operating globally across basic and specialty chemical markets as well as the ammunition sector. The company's integrated approach allows it to serve a broad range of industrial and government clients, leveraging established brands and a long operating history. Olin's strategic focus on core chemical and ammunition segments supports its competitive position in cyclical markets.
Foolish take
It's been a tough year for Olin Corp. Shares have plunged 40% year to date as the chemicals and ammunitions company battles subsidized imports from Asia and Europe. That's not why this insider sold shares, though.
While any trade from a chief financial officer or treasurer may grab the attention of existing shareholders, this one should not be a concern. This transaction represented exercising options from 2017 that would be due to expire in February 2026.
The underlying business deserves more scrutiny, however. In its latest quarterly report, CEO Ken Lane noted "subdued global epoxy demand" as well as ammunition sales that fell short of expectations.
The company has recently announced a new strategic partnership with Brazil-based Braskem. The company expects that agreement to help drive growth in its vinyls business.
That underlying chemicals business is what investors should focus on. The recent options exercise from Olin's treasurer is inconsequential for other shareholders and investors.
Glossary
Option exercise: The act of using stock options to purchase company shares at a set price.
Immediate disposition: Selling shares right after acquiring them, often for administrative or tax reasons.
Insider: A company executive, director, or major shareholder with access to non-public company information.
Form 4: A required SEC filing disclosing insider trades of company securities.
Direct ownership: Shares held personally by an individual, not through trusts or other entities.
Weighted average purchase price: The average price paid per share, accounting for different prices in a single transaction.
Outstanding shares: All shares of a company currently held by shareholders and available for trading.
Vertically integrated: A business model where a company controls multiple stages of its supply chain.
Cyclical markets: Industries whose performance rises and falls with the overall economy.
TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.
