Insider Trading March 13, 2026

ACM Research CFO Sells $4.49M in Stock; Exercises Options as Q4 Results Miss Estimates

Mark McKechnie completed planned share dispositions and option exercises on March 12, 2026, amid mixed operational results and an elevated analyst price target

By Derek Hwang ACMR
ACM Research CFO Sells $4.49M in Stock; Exercises Options as Q4 Results Miss Estimates
ACMR

ACM Research Inc.'s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Mark McKechnie, sold 98,342 shares of Class A common stock on March 12, 2026, through transactions under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan adopted August 27, 2025. The sales totaled about $4.49 million at per-share prices between $44.89 and $46.57. On the same day he exercised options to acquire 98,551 shares, involving strikes of $13.89 and $19.49, valued at $1,584,758. The moves coincide with the company reporting fourth-quarter 2025 results that missed expectations on both EPS and revenue, while at least one broker raised its price target and kept a Buy rating.

Key Points

  • CFO Mark McKechnie sold 98,342 Class A shares on March 12, 2026, via a Rule 10b5-1 plan adopted August 27, 2025, for about $4.49 million at prices from $44.89 to $46.57 per share.
  • On the same day McKechnie exercised options to acquire 98,551 shares (60,000 at $13.89 and 38,551 at $19.49), with the exercises valued at $1,584,758.
  • ACM Research reported Q4 2025 EPS of $0.25 versus an expected $0.53 (a 53.04% negative surprise) and revenue of $244 million versus a $255.11 million forecast (missing by 4.19%); Craig-Hallum raised its price target from $36.00 to $67.00 and kept a Buy rating.

Transaction details

On March 12, 2026, Mark McKechnie, ACM Research Inc.'s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, sold a total of 98,342 shares of the company's Class A common stock. The sales were executed across multiple trades, with prices per share ranging from $44.89 to $46.57, and aggregate proceeds of approximately $4.49 million. The transactions were carried out under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan that McKechnie adopted on August 27, 2025.

Concurrent option exercises

On the same date, McKechnie exercised options to acquire 98,551 shares of Class A common stock. The exercises comprised 60,000 options at a strike price of $13.89 per share and 38,551 options at a strike price of $19.49 per share. The combined value associated with these option exercises was reported as $1,584,758.

Market context and valuation note

ACM Research was trading at $46.38 at the time referenced, reflecting a 59% gain over the preceding 12 months. An InvestingPro analysis cited a Fair Value estimate of $51.84 for the stock at current levels. The report noted the availability of deeper research on the company through paid Pro Research Reports covering ACMR and other U.S. equities.

Recent operating results

The company disclosed fourth-quarter 2025 results that fell short of consensus estimates. Reported earnings per share were $0.25, versus an expected $0.53, a negative surprise of 53.04%. Revenue for the quarter totaled $244 million, missing the forecast of $255.11 million by 4.19%.

Analyst response

Following the quarterly report, Craig-Hallum revised its price target for ACM Research, increasing it from $36.00 to $67.00 while maintaining a Buy rating. The firm characterized the recent decline in the stock as a potential buying opportunity despite a shortfall in gross margins, and it emphasized that gross margins have shown substantial variability historically because of shifts in product mix.


Implications for investors and observers

These insider transactions - sales under a pre-arranged plan combined with option exercises - along with the quarterly miss and the divergent analyst view, create a mix of signals for market participants. Investors and analysts are likely to weigh the CFO's liquidity events and option exercises alongside the company's near-term operating results and valuation assessments.

Risks

  • Earnings risk: The company reported a significant EPS miss in Q4 2025, which may increase near-term earnings uncertainty for equity investors and analysts.
  • Revenue shortfall: Quarterly revenue came in below expectations by 4.19%, adding uncertainty around top-line momentum and forecasting accuracy for investors.
  • Margin variability: Craig-Hallum noted that gross margins have historically fluctuated substantially due to product mix, posing execution and margin-profile risk for operations and valuation.

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