Insider Trading February 19, 2026

Aveanna CEO Disposes $3.4 Million in AVAH Shares to Cover Tax on Vesting Awards

Jeff Shaner sold 461,909 shares over three days in mid-February as the company updates 2025 guidance and several analysts adjust price targets

By Priya Menon AVAH
Aveanna CEO Disposes $3.4 Million in AVAH Shares to Cover Tax on Vesting Awards
AVAH

Aveanna Healthcare Holdings CEO Jeff Shaner sold 461,909 shares of company stock between February 17 and February 19, 2026, generating about $3.4 million in proceeds. The Form 4 filing shows the trades were executed to cover tax obligations tied to vested equity awards. The transactions come as Aveanna raised its fiscal 2025 revenue and net income outlook and several analysts updated price targets and ratings.

Key Points

  • CEO Jeff Shaner sold 461,909 shares between Feb. 17-19, 2026, generating about $3.4 million to cover tax obligations from vested equity awards.
  • Aveanna updated fiscal 2025 guidance to $2.425 billion - $2.445 billion in revenue and projected net income of $181 million - $220 million for the year ending Jan. 3, 2026.
  • Several analysts adjusted price targets and ratings after the guidance update, with UBS, RBC Capital, Raymond James, and William Blair providing new targets or coverage changes.

Summary: Aveanna Healthcare Holdings (NASDAQ: AVAH) Chief Executive Officer Jeff Shaner executed three stock sales from February 17 to February 19, 2026, disposing of 461,909 shares for roughly $3.4 million. According to a Form 4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the sales were made to satisfy tax obligations connected to the vesting of equity awards. After these transactions, Shaner is listed as the direct owner of 2,650,892 shares.


Insider sale details

The Form 4 filing lays out three separate transactions:

  • February 17 - 119,884 shares sold at a weighted average price of $7.6451; reported price range $7.47 to $7.97.
  • February 18 - 168,800 shares sold at a weighted average price of $7.3829; reported price range $7.175 to $7.53.
  • February 19 - 173,225 shares sold at a weighted average price of $7.2082; reported price range $7.06 to $7.29.

The filing states the purpose of the sales was to cover tax obligations arising from the vesting of equity awards. The filing also records Shaner’s remaining direct holdings in the company as 2,650,892 shares following the disposition.


Share-price and analyst context

At the time of reporting, the stock was trading at $7.42. The share price is down 9% year-to-date but is still up 54% over the past 12 months. An InvestingPro analysis cited in the filing indicates the stock may be undervalued and notes that seven analysts recently revised earnings estimates upward—this detail was presented as one of several insights available to subscribers.

Separately, the company’s updated financial outlook for fiscal 2025 prompted several analyst reactions:

  • UBS raised its price target to $10 while maintaining a Neutral rating.
  • RBC Capital increased its price target to $11 and kept a Sector Perform rating.
  • Raymond James lifted its price target to $13, citing a better-than-expected Home Health Final Rule and an improved debt-paydown timeline.
  • William Blair initiated coverage with an Outperform rating.

Company guidance update

In the same period, Aveanna revised its guidance for the fiscal year 2025. The company now expects revenue between $2.425 billion and $2.445 billion, up from a prior forecast of more than $2.375 billion. Net income is projected in a range of $181 million to $220 million for the year ending January 3, 2026.


Implications and next steps

The Form 4 documents the sales as tax-related and reports the updated ownership stake. The company’s revised 2025 guidance and the string of analyst updates were disclosed publicly and are reflected in the market’s pricing at the time of the report.

Key points and risks sections follow below.

Key points

  • Insider sale: CEO Jeff Shaner sold 461,909 shares between Feb. 17 and Feb. 19, 2026, raising about $3.4 million to cover tax obligations related to vested equity awards.
  • Guidance lift: Aveanna increased its fiscal 2025 revenue outlook to $2.425 billion - $2.445 billion and projects net income of $181 million - $220 million for the year ending Jan. 3, 2026.
  • Analyst moves: Multiple firms adjusted price targets and ratings after the guidance update, with targets ranging from $10 to $13 and one firm initiating coverage with an Outperform rating.

Risks and uncertainties

  • Market reaction: The share price was $7.42 at reporting, reflecting a 9% decline year-to-date despite a 54% gain over the past year; future share performance is uncertain.
  • Reliance on guidance: The company’s outlook for fiscal 2025 underpins recent analyst revisions; any deviation from projected revenue or net income could affect investor sentiment.
  • Concentration of insider holdings: Even after the sales, the CEO retains a significant direct stake (2,650,892 shares), which can influence perceptions of insider confidence and liquidity needs.

Note: The information in this article is based strictly on the Form 4 filing and the company disclosures referenced; no additional claims or projections beyond those statements have been introduced.

Risks

  • Share-price volatility: AVAH traded at $7.42, down 9% year-to-date; future price movement remains uncertain.
  • Execution risk relative to guidance: The company’s revised fiscal 2025 guidance is a basis for analyst revisions; missing those targets could affect valuation and sentiment.
  • Insider concentration and liquidity: Despite the sale, the CEO retains a sizable direct stake (2,650,892 shares), which could influence market dynamics if further transactions occur.

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