Etsy Gets Analyst Heat Amid Institutional Sell-Off
Snack-Sized Version:
Etsy faced a significant portfolio shake-up as DAVENPORT & Co LLC slashed its Etsy holdings by nearly 38% in Q1. This move coincided with broader hedge fund adjustments and analyst downgrades, suggesting growing caution. Institutional ownership still remains dominant at 99.53%, but sentiment appears to be softening. Analyst ratings now lean toward neutral or bearish, with minimal upside targets and a mixed outlook. Meanwhile, insider selling continues to echo the cautious tone, with key executives offloading thousands of shares. Despite modest revenue growth and a slight earnings miss, Etsy’s fundamentals haven’t collapsed—just sagged like a slightly overused hammock. As investors adjust their portfolios and analysts tinker with projections, Etsy remains in a delicate balancing act between optimism and skepticism.
Read the Full Meal:
Etsy‘s investor landscape saw a notable shift as DAVENPORT & Co LLC reduced its position by nearly 38% during the first quarter. This move cut its holdings by over 660,000 shares, leaving it with just over 1 million shares worth approximately $50.9 million. While DAVENPORT remains a sizable investor, this sharp cut hints at changing confidence in the company’s near-term potential. Other institutional investors followed a similar trend, either reducing stakes or initiating smaller positions, reinforcing a growing sense of caution in the market.
Analysts didn’t exactly provide comfort either. Multiple firms issued hold or sell ratings, with price targets sliding subtly downwards. Barclays, UBS, and Wells Fargo nudged targets lower, while Arete Research dropped the hammer with a “strong sell” label. On average, analysts expect Etsy to hover around the $49 range, showing little conviction in a bullish breakout. This lukewarm sentiment reflects growing concern over Etsy’s ability to maintain momentum in a tricky retail environment.
Inside the company, execs were also lightening their load. The CTO and CAO both sold off shares recently, signaling possible unease or simply smart profit-taking. Over the past 90 days, insiders unloaded more than 180,000 shares, collectively worth over $10 million. While insider sales don’t always indicate trouble, when paired with institutional retreat and analyst hesitance, the pattern is hard to ignore.
Financially, Etsy’s recent quarter showed slight revenue growth and a minor earnings miss, with EPS landing just below expectations. The company continues to generate revenue, but the pace has slowed. With a price-to-earnings ratio north of 36 and a negative return on equity, Etsy looks expensive for a platform that’s navigating economic headwinds. For now, it seems both Wall Street and insiders are playing it safe—hedging their handcrafted bets.