From one of my readers: [Edited for length.]
Hi, Phil:
I can't resist asking you something about what appears to be an absolutely wonderful company, except for one small thing that keeps bothering me. Coldwater Creek is a wonderful story of how Dennis Pence and his wife, Ann, started their business in their apartment in Idaho. After going through their life savings and Mr. Pence suffering a heart attack, the company went on to huge success.
The numbers all look terrific, but one thing keeps bothering me. The Pres., Georgia Shonk-Simmons and a couple of other executives all seem to be exercising stock options and selling all of them on the same day in late Sept. and early Oct., around $30/share.(current price $30.21). Earnings are out later in November. Is there anything necessarily insidious about selling all your options on the same day or is this a normal practice?
Thanks,
Phil Walker
My response:
So. Phil Walker is concerned about a lot of insider selling at Coldwater Creek (CWTR).
To find this information at Investools or MSN Money just click on Insider Trading.
Over $60 million worth since January 06. That is a huge wave of insider selling, isn't it?
Well, it depends on who is doing it. If it is Dennis Pence, the CEO,
maybe not so big a deal. He still has 32 million shares left worth
about $1 billion total. On the other hand, Dick Melvin, the CFO, is
unloading too. In his case, I can't figure out how many shares he has
left. He sold about 200,000 shares, but no matter what he sold he
still had 50,000 shares left.
Weird. Seems like maybe they are forgetting to report options
exercises. Otherwise the numbers don't add up. If that is what it is
(and the way you find out is to call the investor relations 800 number
and ask), that is not so significant. If, on the other hand, the CFO
is dumping most of what he has before an earnings announcement… well,
that's why they made the rule that he has to report his sales, isn't it?
Bottom line, we don't invest in gray situations. If you like the
business but can't get a clear answer about why the sell-offs, the you
can't own the business.
Remember, you guys, Rule #1 investors buy stock just like we would buy
the entire company. Can you imagine going through with the purchase of
the whole business with this little red flag unresolved? Never
happen. Your attorney would make you stop the sale even if you didn't.
So either dig in and find out what's going on or bail and go find somewhere else to play!
And since so many of our readers are CTSH fans, how about you dig deeper and report back?
Now go play.
Phil Town is an investment advisor, hedge fund manager, 3x NY Times Best-Selling Author, ex-Grand Canyon river guide, and former Lieutenant in the US Army Special Forces. He and his wife, Melissa, share a passion for horses, polo, and eventing. Phil’s goal is to help you learn how to invest and achieve financial independence.