JELD

JELD-WEN Holding ($JELD) Plunges 70%, Yet Insiders Keep Buying—What Do They See?

04/15/2025 22:50

Building products manufacturer JELD-WEN Holding ($JELD) has seen its stock plummet over 70% in the past six months, yet a persistent wave of insider buying from major shareholders and executives continues to draw investor attention. The company's stock currently trades at $5.17 (as of April 14, 2025), down dramatically from around $16 in mid-October 2024. The decline has been punctuated by two sharp drops following earnings releases – a 28.6% single-day plunge on November 5, 2024, after Q3 results, and another 20% drop on February 18, 2025, following Q4 earnings. JELD-WEN, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, manufactures doors and windows for residential and commercial markets across North America and Europe. The company reported full-year 2024 revenue of $3.78 billion, down 12% year-over-year, with a net loss of $187.6 million – a stark contrast to the $25.2 million profit in 2023. The stock's decline stems largely from weakening construction and housing markets, alongside a consumer shift from premium to entry-level products. A concerning debt-to-equity ratio of 2.05 has further dampened investor confidence. However, what stands out amid this downturn is the consistent stock purchases by insiders. Major shareholder Turtle Creek Asset Management has acquired over 2 million shares between November 2024 and April 2025, significantly increasing its buying activity as the stock fell below $10 in January 2025. In February and March 2025, company directors David G. Nord and Steven E. Wynne purchased 20,000 and 10,000 shares respectively, while Executive Vice President Matthew Meier invested approximately $114,600 for 20,000 shares at $5.73 per share on March 5th. Industry experts remain divided on the significance of this insider buying pattern. Some interpret the substantial purchases as a signal that the stock is undervalued at current levels, while others remain cautious given the debt burden and continued performance challenges. JELD-WEN's current market capitalization stands at approximately $461.8 million, with a price-to-sales ratio of just 0.12, suggesting potential undervaluation relative to revenue. However, traditional P/E metrics are not applicable given the company's negative earnings. The broader market context presents additional complexity. Early April 2025 has seen increased volatility due to trade tensions and tariff policies under the Trump administration. On April 4, the U.S. dollar declined by 1.7%, raising concerns about currency confidence, while consumer sentiment fell sharply to 50.8. These macroeconomic uncertainties pose additional challenges for construction-related companies like JELD-WEN. Looking ahead, JELD-WEN's Q1 2025 earnings report, scheduled for May 5, will be a critical inflection point. Analysts project a quarterly loss of $0.19 per share and forecast 2025 annual revenue guidance of approximately $3.31 billion. While the persistent insider buying signals some confidence in the company's fundamental value, the housing market slowdown, shifting consumer preferences, and high debt levels remain significant risk factors. Investors should closely monitor signs of performance improvement, debt management strategies, and housing market trends in evaluating the stock's potential.