A Ziff Davis Director Sells 2,513 Shares as the Stock Soars. Here's a Closer Look at the Transaction.
Key Points
Director Brian Kretzmer disposed of 2,513 shares at $55.31 per share on August 18, 2026, for a total transaction value of ~$139,000.
The sale represents 11% of the director's total equity holdings in the company.
The transaction was executed via direct ownership, and the insider continues to hold 20,000 shares in the company.
The disposition follows a period of growth for the stock, which recorded a 49% one-year total return as of the August 18, 2026 transaction date.
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W. Brian Kretzmer, a member of the Board of Directors at Ziff Davis, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZD), sold 2,513 shares of common stock on August 18, 2026, according to an SEC Form 4 filing.
Transaction summary
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Shares sold | 2,513 |
| Transaction value | ~$139,000 |
| Post-transaction shares (directly held) | 20,000 |
| Post-transaction value | ~$1.1 million |
Transaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($55.31); post-transaction value based on August 18, 2026 market close ($55.09).
Key questions
- What is the impact of this transaction on the director's total position?
The sale of 2,513 shares reduced the insider's direct interest by 11%, leaving a remaining core position of 20,000 shares that is valued at ~$1.1 million based on the August 18, 2026 market close. - How has the stock performed leading up to this disclosure?
Ziff Davis recorded a 49% total return over the 12-month period ending on the transaction date of August 18, 2026, and shares were priced at $55.50 as of the August 19, 2026 market close. - What is the firm's current operational scale and business focus?
The company reported trailing-twelve-month revenue of $1.3 billion and net income of $643.5 million, supporting a market cap of $2 billion as of August 19, 2026. Ziff Davis is a digital communication services company, managing a portfolio that includes IGN, Mashable, and PCMag.
Company Overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Share Price (as of market close 2026-08-19) | $55.50 |
| Market Capitalization | $2.0 billion |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.3 billion |
| Net Income (TTM) | $643.5 million |
Company Snapshot
- Ziff Davis operates a diversified portfolio of digital media and technology platforms, including IGN, RetailMeNot, Mashable, PCMag, Humble Bundle, and Speedtest, generating revenue through advertising, subscription services, and affiliate marketing channels.
- The company leverages digital platforms and technology solutions to monetize user engagement and provide marketing services to enterprise clients.
- Ziff Davis serves a broad audience spanning technology enthusiasts, consumers seeking retail discounts, and enterprise organizations requiring cybersecurity and marketing technology solutions across the United States, Canada, Ireland, and international markets.
Ziff Davis is a leading digital media and technology company with a $2 billion market cap, demonstrating significant scale in the digital information and services sector. The company maintains a competitive advantage through its extensive portfolio of established digital properties and cross-platform capabilities that enable diversified revenue streams.
With 3,900 employees and operations across multiple geographies, Ziff Davis is positioned as a substantial player in digital media and marketing technology services.
What this transaction means for investors
The Aug. 18 sale of Ziff Davis stock by Board of Directors member W. Brian Kretzmer came at a time when shares were on an upswing. The stock hit a 52-week high of $58.06 on Aug. 7.
It appears Kretzmer was capitalizing on the rising share price to lock in gains. The sale represented 11% of his direct holdings, which is a significant percentage, although he still retained a substantial 20,000 shares post-transaction. This indicates his interests remain aligned with shareholders.
Ziff Davis stock is up in part because of the company's decision to sell its connectivity division for $1.2 billion in cash. Another factor was the $121.5 million Ziff Davis spent to repurchase shares in the second quarter of 2026.
Despite these positives for shareholders, the company's Q2 sales fell to $286.7 million compared to $294.8 million in the prior year. This contributed to a net loss from continuing operations of $52.2 million for the quarter, a dramatic reversal of the $14.3 million in net income produced in 2025, which are not encouraging signs for the company’s future.
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Robert Izquierdo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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