Shares of Archer Aviation (ACHR) climbed 7.4% to $12.09 in yesterday’s trading session and are up more than 10% over the past five trading days. The move comes after a brief pullback last week, when the company announced that Chief Financial Officer Mark Mesler had formally resigned. That announcement initially sent the stock down 2.5% to $10.51, but investor sentiment appears to have quickly stabilized.
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Why Archer Aviation Shares Recovered
Several developments may have contributed to the stock’s recovery. First, Archer Aviation confirmed that Priya Gupta, who has been serving as acting CFO since September 2024, will remain in the role. The leadership transition had already been in place for months, reducing the perceived risk of disruption. Gupta’s continuation in the position likely reassured investors focused on financial continuity and upcoming commercialization plans.
Second, analysts have remained upbeat. Archer Aviation currently holds a “Moderate Buy” consensus based on six recent analyst ratings. Canaccord Genuity and Cantor Fitzgerald both reiterated their $13 price targets this week, while H.C. Wainwright maintained its $18 forecast.
Institutional activity also played a role. ARK Invest sold shares of Archer Aviation across its exchange-traded funds on the same day as the resignation announcement, but the sale was part of a broader portfolio rebalance. ARK still holds a position in the company, although it has been gradually reducing exposure in recent months. Market reaction suggests that investors viewed the sale as mechanical rather than a negative signal.
Recovery Follows Insider News
Meanwhile, a Form 144 filed this week disclosed that the exiting CFO, Mark Mesler, intends to sell over 165,000 shares, following a vesting event tied to compensation. The company also entered into a transition agreement with Mesler, which included a cash payout and accelerated vesting of certain restricted stock units.
Despite the brief volatility, Archer Aviation has regained upward momentum. The stock is now trading above both its pre-resignation level and its average 12-month price target, as investors look ahead to operational milestones and leadership continuity under Gupta.
Is Archer Aviation Stock a Good Buy?
Despite the executive change, Wall Street analysts remain positive on the stock. Based on six recent ratings, Archer Aviation boasts a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average 12-month price target of $11.75. This implies a 2.81% downside from the current price.
