An Allkem director offloaded $20 million in shares this week. What gives?

Shareholders took a page out of an Allkem insider's playbook today and decided to sell…

| More on:
An executive stands looking out a glass window over the city.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • Shares in Allkem were devoid of enthusiasm on Friday, moving 3.7% lower to $13.17
  • It was revealed that non-executive director Richard Seville cashed in over $20 million worth of shares
  • ASX lithium shares were broadly in the red on Friday afternoon

The Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE) share price finished the week down 3.7% to $13.17 on Friday.

Leading up to Friday, shares in the lithium producer were on course for a weekly gain. However, the market went cold on the $8.46 billion lithium bellwether following news of an insider parting ways with a portion of their Allkem shares.

To what extent has this member of leadership sold down their stake? Let's take a closer look.

Weighing on the Allkem share price

It appears shareholders struggled to hold an optimistic attitude amid a recent insider transaction on Friday. According to the notice, non-executive director Richard Seville made the call to cash in on a hefty portion of his Allkem shares on 29 and 30 August.

Looking at the details, Seville sold 1.5 million shares on-market on Monday and Tuesday. The total number of shares sold was split evenly between the two days — 750,000 for an average price of $13.67 on Monday and 750,000 shares for an average price of $14.02 on Tuesday.

In total, the former founding managing director of Orocobre (which merged with Allkem) landed $20,767,500 from the sale. In turn, Seville retains 3 million shares following the transaction, valued at nearly $40 million at the current Allkem share price.

Allkem did not provide any further information on why Seville chose to offload the shares. Notably, the sale notice swiftly follows yesterday's notice about the sale made by fellow independent non-executive director, John Turner. However, Turner's sale was a much more modest A$275,165 worth.

What else?

While the Allkem share price might be influenced by a significant insider share sale, the pessimism is relatively widespread across ASX lithium shares on Friday.

For context, other major lithium names such as Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS), Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR), and Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) were down 1.7%, 4.5%, and 5.2% respectively. This is despite lithium carbonate prices holding steady, according to Trading Economics.

Perhaps Piedmont Lithium Inc (ASX: PLL) plans to build the largest lithium hydroxide processing plant in the United States has sent a signal to the market that increasing supply is likely to come online. This might be a reminder, that at the end of the day, lithium prices are purely driven by supply and demand.

Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Resources Shares

Man with rocket wings which have flames coming out of them.
Resources Shares

Up 23% today, why Macquarie forecasts this ASX 200 mining stock could rocket another 33%

Macquarie forecasts more outsized gains to come for this surging ASX 200 mining stock.

Read more »

Three mining workers stand proudly in front of a mine smiling because the BHP share price is rising
Resources Shares

Forget gold! This metal just hit record highs and ASX 200 miner BHP is betting big

Let’s find out why.

Read more »

Three miners looking at a tablet.
Broker Notes

Does Macquarie prefer Rio Tinto, Fortescue or BHP shares heading into 2026?

BHP, Rio Tinto, or Fortescue? Macquarie only expects one of the three ASX mining stocks to outperform.

Read more »

Three miners wearing hard hats and high vis vests take a break on site at a mine as the Fortescue share price drops in FY22
Resources Shares

3 reasons why the Mineral Resources share price is primed to rebound

Can the troubled miner get out of its hole?

Read more »

Image from either construction, mining or the oil industry of a friendly worker.
Resources Shares

4 reasons to buy this surging ASX All Ords mining stock today

A leading wealth manager expects more outperformance from this surging ASX All Ords miner.

Read more »

Miner looking at a tablet.
Resources Shares

What's Macquarie's price target on Mineral Resources shares?

The mining operator's share price has fallen 55% in the past year.

Read more »

Female miner smiling in front of mining vehicle.
Resources Shares

Pilbara Minerals share price is climbing higher today: here's why

Lithium shares have been hit by a continued decline in prices over the past year.

Read more »

A boy with a gold crown stands stoically looking straight ahead.
Resources Shares

Step aside Pilbara Minerals: This ASX 200 mining stock is eyeing the lithium throne

Changing the lithium landscape.

Read more »