---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001683168-26-001184"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AAOI"
cik: "0001158114"
company_name: "APPLIED OPTOELECTRONICS, INC."
filed_at: "2026-02-19T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T01:39:35.416623+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.45
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.45
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Applied Optoelectronics enhances severance packages for four senior executives

## Summary
- Non-CIC severance increased to 9 months base salary & target bonus (from 6 months); COBRA up to 12 months (formerly $15k).
- CIC severance increased to 15 months base salary & target bonus (from 12 months); COBRA up to 15 months; full equity acceleration added.
- Affected executives: CFO/CSO Stefan Murry, SVP NA GM Fred Chang, SVP Asia GM Joshua Yeh, and Chief Legal Officer David Kuo.
- Amendment approved by Compensation Committee on February 13, 2026; severance subject to execution of release of claims.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001683168-26-001184
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AAOI
- cik: 0001158114
- company_name: APPLIED OPTOELECTRONICS, INC.
- filed_at: 2026-02-19T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.45
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.45
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1158114/000168316826001184/0001683168-26-001184-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1158114/000168316826001184/aaoi_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001683168-26-001184
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001683168-26-001184.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001683168-26-001184.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.