Power Integrations INC (NASDAQ:POWI) director Balu Balakrishnan sold 5,581 shares of common stock on January 29, 2026, at a per-share price of $46.5931, resulting in proceeds of $260,036. The sale was described in a Form 4 filing submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 2, 2026.
The filing notes that the disposition was an automatic sale executed to satisfy the tax withholding obligation that arose upon the vesting of a Restricted Stock Award. Following the transaction, Balakrishnan continues to hold an indirect interest in 585,206 shares of Power Integrations, retained through a trust.
Alongside the reported insider transaction, Power Integrations disclosed a modification to its equity programs. The company amended its Amended and Restated 2025 Inducement Award Plan to add 500,000 shares to the pool available for equity awards, bringing the total authorized under that plan to 850,000 shares. The company characterized the adjustment as part of ongoing changes to its equity compensation approach.
Market research and analyst commentary included in the company update showed activity on the coverage front. One Benchmark note raised its price target for Power Integrations from $50 to $55, maintained a Buy rating, and added the stock to its Best Ideas list for 2026, citing several catalysts the firm believes could support upside. Separately, another Benchmark communication reiterated a Buy stance with a $50 price target and pointed to potential revenue acceleration and re-emergent operating leverage over the next 12 to 18 months.
The company also announced a senior leadership appointment, naming Chris Jacobs as senior vice president for marketing and product strategy. The appointment note indicated Jacobs joins Power Integrations following his prior role at Micron Technology.
In a separate market move noted in the same update, Carvana will be added to the S&P 500 as part of the quarterly rebalance effective December 22, 2025. The change will see Carvana replace LKQ Corporation, Solstice Advanced Materials, and Mohawk Industries in the index.
Summary - A director-level automatic sale at Power Integrations covered tax obligations tied to vested restricted shares, while the company increased the share reserve under its inducement award plan and reported analyst target adjustments and an executive hire. An unrelated S&P 500 inclusion was also reported.
Key points
- Balu Balakrishnan sold 5,581 shares on January 29, 2026, for $46.5931 per share, totaling $260,036; sale reported on Form 4 filed February 2, 2026.
- The sale was automatic to cover taxes due on a Restricted Stock Award; Balakrishnan still indirectly owns 585,206 shares via a trust.
- Power Integrations increased the shares available under its 2025 Inducement Award Plan by 500,000 to a total of 850,000 shares. Benchmark issued both a raised $55 target and a separate reiterated $50 target with Buy ratings in different notes. The company named Chris Jacobs as senior VP for marketing and product strategy.
Risks and uncertainties
- The increase in shares available for equity awards could affect the company’s outstanding share count and equity compensation expense - relevant to shareholders and the broader technology and semiconductor sectors.
- Insider sales executed automatically to satisfy tax withholding create uncertainty about how to interpret insider intent; the transaction was described as an automatic sale tied specifically to restricted stock vesting.
- Analyst target changes are mixed in the disclosure, with one Benchmark communication raising its target and another reiterating a lower target, reflecting differing analyst views and near-term forecasting uncertainty in the semiconductor-related equipment and components market.