ACV auctions exec sells over $320k in company stock

ACV Auctions Inc. (NASDAQ:ACVA) Chief Sales Officer, Michael Waterman, has recently engaged in significant stock transactions, according to the latest SEC filings. Waterman sold a total of 16,098 shares of Class A Common Stock at an average price of $19.95, netting approximately $321,155.

The sales were executed on October 1, 2024, and were part of a pre-arranged trading plan under Rule 10b5-1, which allows company insiders to set up a trading plan for selling stocks they own. The plan was established on February 28, 2024, indicating that the sale was planned and not based on any immediate knowledge of company affairs that is not already public.

In addition to the sales, the filing also disclosed that shares were withheld by ACV Auctions to cover tax liabilities associated with the vesting of time-based restricted stock units granted to Waterman. The withheld shares were not part of a discretionary sale and totaled 10,574 shares of Class A Common Stock at a price of $19.77 per share, amounting to $209,047.

The transactions have adjusted Waterman's holdings in the company, yet he continues to hold a significant number of shares. After the sales and withholding for taxes, Waterman's direct ownership in Class A Common Stock stands at 348,155 shares.

Investors often monitor insider transactions as they can provide insights into executives' views of the company's future prospects. However, it's important to note that there are various reasons why an insider might sell shares, and such transactions do not always indicate a lack of confidence in the company.

ACV Auctions, headquartered in Buffalo, New York, operates in the business services sector, providing a digital marketplace for wholesale vehicle transactions and data services. The company's stock performance and insider transactions are closely watched by investors seeking to understand market trends and company valuation.

In other recent news, ACV Auctions Inc reported a 29% year-over-year increase in revenue, reaching $161 million. Vehicle sales also saw a 22% year-over-year increase, with 187,000 vehicles sold. The firm's adjusted EBITDA saw a 65% sequential increase, indicating a trajectory towards its first year of adjusted EBITDA profitability. These are part of the recent developments at the company.

Raymond James has initiated coverage on ACV Auctions, assigning a Market Perform rating. The firm acknowledged the company's management execution, which has seen ACV Auctions' retail dealer wholesale market share roughly double to an estimated 8% over the last three years. However, the rating remains Market Perform due to the need for more clarity regarding the company's mid-term financial targets.

ACV Auctions' future expectations include a Q3 revenue in the range of $158 million to $162 million and adjusted EBITDA in the range of $6 million to $8 million. Despite facing challenges such as the recovery of the dealer wholesale market and the impact of macro cross-currents, the company remains confident in its long-term growth, driven by initiatives like the relaunch of ACV Max.

InvestingPro Insights

To provide additional context to Michael Waterman's recent stock transactions, let's examine some key financial metrics and insights from InvestingPro for ACV Auctions Inc. (NASDAQ:ACVA).

According to InvestingPro data, ACV Auctions has a market capitalization of $3.19 billion, indicating it's a mid-cap company in the digital marketplace sector. The company's revenue growth is noteworthy, with a 21.57% increase over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, and an even more impressive 29.31% quarterly growth in Q2 2024. This robust revenue expansion aligns with an InvestingPro Tip suggesting that analysts anticipate sales growth in the current year.

Despite the strong top-line performance, it's important to note that ACV Auctions is not currently profitable, with a negative P/E ratio of -42.04 for the last twelve months. However, an InvestingPro Tip indicates that analysts predict the company will be profitable this year, which could explain why insiders like Waterman might maintain significant holdings despite some selling activity.

The company's financial health appears solid, with an InvestingPro Tip highlighting that ACV Auctions holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet. This strong liquidity position is further supported by another tip stating that liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, which could provide the company with financial flexibility as it pursues growth opportunities.

For investors interested in a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips for ACV Auctions, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial position and market performance.

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