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Is nLIGHT Stock a Buy or Sell After the CEO Sold Shares Worth $1.2 Million?
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-11 02:29
Company Overview - nLIGHT specializes in designing and manufacturing semiconductor and fiber lasers, fiber amplifiers, and beam control systems for industrial, microfabrication, and aerospace and defense markets [7] - The company generates revenue through direct sales and distributor networks across the United States, Asia, and Europe, serving manufacturers, defense contractors, and technology companies [7] - nLIGHT operates at scale within the semiconductor laser segment, leveraging advanced photonics technologies to address demanding applications in both industrial and defense sectors [8] Financial Performance - As of January 6, 2026, nLIGHT's market capitalization is $1.98 billion, with a revenue of $227.53 million for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4] - The company's stock price has increased by 259.25% over the past year, closing at $37.70 on January 6, 2026 [4] - In Q3 2025, nLIGHT reported sales of $66.7 million, representing a 19% year-over-year increase, with Q4 revenue forecasted between $72 million and $78 million, up from $47.4 million in 2024 [10] Insider Transaction - Scott Keeney, President and CEO of nLIGHT, exercised and immediately sold 31,748 shares of common stock for a total transaction value of $1,190,867.48 on January 6, 2026 [1][2] - The shares sold represented 1.37% of Keeney's pre-transaction direct holdings, maintaining a post-sale stake of 2,285,020 shares [6] - The transaction was part of a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted by Keeney in June 2025, which helps avoid accusations of insider trading [9] Market Position and Outlook - nLIGHT's competitive position is supported by proprietary laser designs and a global sales footprint, positioning it as a key supplier in high-performance laser markets [8] - The company is expected to benefit from the broader semiconductor industry's upswing due to the emergence of artificial intelligence [10] - However, the stock's price-to-sales ratio has exceeded eight, indicating a high valuation, suggesting that it may be a good time to sell rather than buy [11]