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Code S: Open market or private sale

Not short-swing exempt
21.7%of all 2025 Form 4 transactions
29.6%of Table I lines (non-derivative)
0.38%of Table II lines (derivative)
83,177transaction lines filed
Open market or private sale of non-derivative or derivative security

Use it when

  • Reporting Person sells shares on the open market.
  • Reporting Person sells shares in a privately negotiated transaction.
  • Reporting Person sells a derivative security, such as an option or warrant, rather than exercising it.
  • Sale involves an equity swap or similar instrument, paired with the additional K-code as S/K.

EDGAR expects

TableTable I for a non-derivative sale, Table II for a derivative sale
CodeS
Acquired/DisposedD
Price per share, Table I column 7A value or a footnote explaining its absence
Derivative sale priceTable II column 8, not column 2

What the footnote typically covers

  • What price applies when the sale executed at more than one price?
  • Was any part of the consideration non-cash, and what is its value?
  • Was the sale made under a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan, and when was it adopted?
  • Why is the price cell blank, if it is?

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Related codes

Based on all 383,732 transaction lines reported on original Form 4 filings in calendar year 2025 (279,260 in Table I, 104,472 in Table II). Holdings lines and amendments are excluded. Tallied from the SEC's Insider Transactions Data Sets.

Updated August 2026
Disclaimer

General information about SEC reporting mechanics, not legal advice. Confirm treatment with counsel before filing.