Insider Trading March 23, 2026

Equity Bancshares CHRO Disposes of $19,768 in Class A Shares

Ann Knutson sold 450 shares as the stock trades below its 52-week high; board approves quarterly dividend and analysts adjust targets

By Ajmal Hussain EQBK
Equity Bancshares CHRO Disposes of $19,768 in Class A Shares
EQBK

Equity Bancshares Inc.'s Chief Human Resources Officer, Ann Knutson, sold 450 shares of Class A common stock on March 19, 2026, generating $19,768 at $43.93 per share. The sale was reported in a Form 4 filed March 23, 2026. The company recently declared a quarterly cash dividend and reported fourth-quarter 2025 core EPS that diverged from some analyst estimates, prompting several firms to adjust price targets while maintaining neutral/market perform ratings. A long-tenured director has announced retirement effective at the 2026 Annual Meeting.

Key Points

  • Ann Knutson sold 450 Class A shares on March 19, 2026 at $43.93 per share for $19,768; Form 4 filed March 23, 2026.
  • Post-sale, Knutson owns 8,364 shares, including 372 shares purchased under the 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan on February 14, 2026.
  • Equity Bancshares declared a $0.18 quarterly cash dividend payable April 15, 2026; the board approved the dividend on February 18, 2026.

Ann Knutson, Chief Human Resources Officer of Equity Bancshares Inc (NASDAQ: EQBK), executed a sale of 450 shares of Class A Common Stock on March 19, 2026. The shares were sold at $43.93 apiece, producing total proceeds of $19,768. The transaction was formally disclosed in a Form 4 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, signed on March 23, 2026 by Chris Navratil, attorney-in-fact.

Following this disposal, Knutson retains direct ownership of 8,364 shares. That total includes 372 shares she acquired under the Equity Bancshares, Inc. 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan on February 14, 2026. The sale occurred while the stock was trading at $44.34, a level that is about 88% of the security's 52-week high of $50.07. According to InvestingPro analysis cited in the filing, the shares may be overvalued at current levels, reflecting a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.


Corporate actions and recent financial results provide additional context for investors monitoring insider activity. On February 18, 2026, Equity Bancshares' board approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share, to be paid on April 15, 2026 to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2026.

On the earnings front, the company reported fourth-quarter 2025 core earnings per share of $1.21. That result came in below DA Davidson's estimate of $1.35 but above the consensus estimate of $1.13. Following the release, DA Davidson raised its price target for Equity Bancshares to $52.00 while keeping a Neutral rating. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods likewise increased its price target to $49.00 and maintained a Market Perform rating. Brean Capital initiated coverage with a Neutral rating and a $52.00 price target.

Board-level change was also announced: Randee R. Koger, a director since 2003, plans to retire effective at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Koger will continue to fulfill her director responsibilities through the meeting.


The Form 4 filing documenting Knutson's sale is the formal public disclosure that records the transaction and her remaining holdings after that sale. For investors seeking additional detail on valuation and financial metrics, the filing points to available research and reports that cover the company alongside other U.S. equities.

All figures, dates and statements in this report are taken from the company's filings and the disclosures cited therein.

Risks

  • Valuation concern - InvestingPro analysis indicates a P/E of 36 and suggests the stock may be overvalued; this impacts equity investors assessing entry points.
  • Earnings variance - Fourth-quarter 2025 core EPS of $1.21 fell short of DA Davidson's $1.35 estimate, highlighting earnings sensitivity that could affect analyst sentiment and stock performance in financials and regional banking sectors.
  • Leadership transition - The announced retirement of director Randee R. Koger, effective at the 2026 Annual Meeting, creates board composition change that could influence governance considerations for shareholders.

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