A recent regulatory filing has revealed that Victoria Fineberg, a person closely associated with David Fineberg, Deputy CEO of CMC Markets, has sold approximately £252,000 worth of shares in the London-listed brokerage. The transaction, disclosed via the London Stock Exchange, involved the disposal of 100,000 CMCX shares over four trading sessions beginning last Monday.

This development comes at a time when CMC Markets’ stock has been under pressure, having declined by roughly 13% since the release of its FY25 financial results. Despite reporting a 33% increase in pre-tax profit to £84.5 million, the company’s performance in the final quarter of the fiscal year fell short of expectations, contributing to the recent share price weakness.

Diverging Insider Moves

Interestingly, while Victoria Fineberg has reduced her exposure, Deputy CEO David Fineberg has continued to increase his stake in the company. Earlier this year, he acquired over £420,000 worth of CMCX shares through his self-invested pension plan and continues to receive additional shares through the firm’s incentive scheme.

This divergence in insider activity has sparked interest among market watchers, particularly given the broader context of CMC’s evolving business strategy and market positioning.

Ownership Structure and Strategic Direction

Lord Peter Cruddas, the company’s founder and CEO, remains the dominant shareholder, holding approximately 64% of the company’s equity. Institutional investors such as Aberforth and Schroders each maintain stakes of around 5%, while the remaining shares are distributed among retail investors, employees, and other stakeholders.

CMC Markets operates both retail and institutional trading divisions, offering a wide range of CFD products and white-label solutions. Notably, the firm powers trading services for platforms like Revolut and has expanded its reach through partnerships such as its white-label deal with ASB Bank in New Zealand.

Embracing Innovation

While CMC has expanded into areas like DeFi, Web3, and white-label partnerships with fintechs such as Revolut and ASB Bank, many investors appear unconvinced that these moves are translating into sustainable growth. The company’s Q4 FY25 results fell short of expectations, triggering a 13% drop in share price and reinforcing concerns about execution risk and earnings volatility.

Adding to the unease, analysts have issued a “Reduce” consensus rating, with a 12-month price target of GBX 192, implying a potential 24% downside from current levels. This bearish outlook reflects doubts about the company’s ability to deliver consistent returns amid a rapidly evolving trading landscape.

Despite a 33% rise in pre-tax profit, the company’s final quarter underperformance and reliance on founder Lord Cruddas, who holds a 64% stake, have raised questions about governance and strategic agility. Some investors worry that the firm’s heavy founder ownership may limit responsiveness to market pressures or shareholder input.

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