Greedy Insider
Form 4 Transaction Codes Glossary (P, S, M, F, A, G)
Form 4 transaction codes glossary: a one-letter code on every SEC Form 4 line says what happened, from an open-market purchase (P) to a gift (G). This index covers 6 codes, updated with filings through Oct 24, 2026.
Every Form 4 transaction code
Each code below links to a page explaining what it means and how often it shows up across a sample of 4,000 recent filings. Open-market buys (P) and sales (S) are the codes that carry a conviction signal; the rest are compensation and administrative mechanics.
| Code | Meaning | Count | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | Purchase | 756 | 8.0 | View |
| S | Sale | 3020 | 31.9 | View |
| M | Option exercise | 1588 | 16.8 | View |
| F | Tax withholding | 944 | 10.0 | View |
| A | Grant or award | 2113 | 22.3 | View |
| G | Gift | 102 | 1.1 | View |
Why the code matters
The transaction code is the fastest way to read a Form 4. A line coded P or S is a deliberate market decision; a line coded A, M, or F is usually compensation or an administrative step that happens on a schedule. Reading the code first saves you from treating an option exercise or a tax-withholding disposition as if it were an open-market sale.
How we use them
The Greediness Score ranks open-market activity only, so awards, exercises, and gifts are shown for completeness but do not inflate a conviction signal. Each code page carries the live share of that code so you can see how routine or unusual it is. The score describes the filing, not future returns. This is not investment advice.
Key facts
- Transaction codes documented: 6
- Filings scanned: 4,000
- Open-market buys (P) in sample: 756
Primary sources
Related
The score describes the filing, not future returns. This is not investment advice.