Institutional Ownership and Insider Sales: A Closer Look at Aspen Aerogels, Inc. (NYSE:ASPN)

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. (NYSE:ASPN) has 82% institutional ownership, making it vulnerable to their trading decisions. The top 11 shareholders own 51% of the company. However, insiders have been selling shares lately. The largest shareholder, Spring Creek Capital, LLC, owns 15% of shares outstanding.

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. (NYSE:ASPN) has recently been in the spotlight due to significant changes in its institutional ownership structure and analyst ratings. With 82% of its shares owned by institutions, the company's stock price is particularly vulnerable to the trading decisions of these large investors [3]. The top 11 shareholders collectively hold 51% of the company's shares, highlighting the concentration of ownership [3].

One of the most notable institutional shareholders is Spring Creek Capital, LLC, which owns 15% of Aspen Aerogels' outstanding shares [3]. This substantial ownership position underscores the influence that institutional investors can have on the company's stock price and overall performance.

However, recent insider selling activity has raised concerns among investors. Insiders have been disposing of their shares, which could indicate a lack of confidence in the company's future prospects. This trend could potentially lead to further downward pressure on the stock price, especially if institutional investors follow suit.

Analysts have also been mixed in their assessments of Aspen Aerogels. While the average rating is a "Moderate Buy" with an average target price of $19.50, several analysts have downgraded the stock. For instance, Barclays downgraded Aspen Aerogels from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating, citing the company's reliance on General Motors (GM) for business [1][2]. The removal of the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit for consumers is expected to weigh heavily on Aspen's fastest-growing business, the Thermal Barrier segment.

The company's financial performance has also been a source of concern. Aspen Aerogels reported a revenue decline of 33.8% compared to the same quarter last year and an earnings per share of ($0.04) for the last quarter, which was better than the consensus estimate of ($0.12) [1]. Despite these challenges, the company has a positive return on equity of 2.92% and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, indicating a strong balance sheet.

Institutional ownership and analyst ratings will continue to play a crucial role in shaping Aspen Aerogels' stock price. Investors should closely monitor these factors, as well as the company's financial performance and insider selling activity, to make informed investment decisions.

References:
[1] https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/aspen-aerogels-nyseaspn-shares-gap-down-on-analyst-downgrade-2025-08-11/
[2] https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/barclays-downgrades-aspen-aerogels-over-reliance-on-gm-for-business/chruwVwRdIs
[3] https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/aspen-aerogels-inc-nyse-aspn-125223856.html