Insider Trading June 3, 2026 03:47 PM

Director Insider Activity and Q1 Earnings Report for Ziff Davis

W. Brian Kretzmer sells shares amid stock surge; company reports revenues below analyst expectations.

By Marcus Reed ZD

A recent SEC filing disclosed that W. Brian Kretzmer, a director at Ziff Davis, Inc., sold shares of the company's common stock. This insider activity occurred while Ziff Davis shares have seen a significant price increase over the last six months. Separately, the company released its Q1 2026 financial results, posting revenues and adjusted earnings per share that missed analyst forecasts.

Director Insider Activity and Q1 Earnings Report for Ziff Davis
ZD

Key Points

  • The stock's valuation remains a point of focus, with independent analysis suggesting potential undervaluation despite recent price gains.
  • A director-level sale occurred shortly after the stock had appreciated significantly over the past six months.
  • Q1 2026 earnings missed key analyst expectations for both revenue and adjusted EPS.

W. Brian Kretzmer, who serves as a director at Ziff Davis, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZD), executed a sale of the company's common stock on June 2, 2026. According to documentation filed with the SEC, these transactions accounted for the disposal of 1,968 shares, totaling $87,595 in value. The average selling price across these shares was reported at $44.51 per share, with individual sales occurring within a narrow band ranging from $44.50 to $44.52 per share.

Following the recent disposal of stock, Mr. Kretzmer's remaining direct ownership stake in Ziff Davis common stock stands at 22,513 shares.


The insider sale takes place against a backdrop of significant price movement for Ziff Davis shares. The company's stock has increased by 27% over the preceding six months and is currently trading near $44.68. Despite this upward trend, independent analysis from InvestingPro suggests that the stock may be undervalued, assigning it a Fair Value estimate of $65.48. This valuation places Ziff Davis among stocks identified as potential opportunities on an Undervalued list.

On the operational front, the company has maintained robust gross profit margins, reported at 85%. Furthermore, other market indicators point to management's proactive financial strategies, including an aggressive share buyback program. These internal corporate actions contrast with the recent sale activity observed by a director.


In separate financial news, Ziff Davis released its Q1 2026 earnings report on May 8. The reported figures revealed performance that fell short of what analysts had anticipated. For the first quarter of 2026, the company recorded revenues totaling $267.6 million. This amount missed the consensus forecast of $325.74 million. Furthermore, the adjusted earnings per share (EPS) was reported at $0.73, which was below the anticipated figure of $1.00.

This divergence between projected and actual financial results constituted a notable development for the company, prompting a decline in Ziff Davis's stock price during post-market trading hours. Analysts had previously projected higher performance metrics, emphasizing the substantial gap between market expectations and the realized operational outcomes. Investors are currently paying close attention to these developing corporate reports.


Risks

  • The discrepancy between Q1 2026 actual performance (revenues of $267.6 million) and analyst forecasts ($325.74 million) represents a significant operational risk.
  • Post-earnings market reaction, including the decline in stock price during post-market trading following the May 8 release, highlights investor sensitivity to financial results.

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