Spotify Leaders Cash Out $550M in Shares as Stock Hits Record High — Co-Founder Lorentzon Takes $383M

Spotify Leaders Cash Out $550M in Shares as Stock Hits Record High — Co-Founder Lorentzon Takes $383M

By Marcus Hartley

November 18, 2024 at 11:39 PM

Spotify executives have collectively sold over $550 million worth of company stock, with co-founder Martin Lorentzon leading the way with a massive $383 million sale of nearly 960,000 shares. These sales come as Spotify's stock (SPOT) trades near record highs of around $460 per share, representing a 150% increase from November 2023.

Daniel Ek, Spotify CEO speaking

Daniel Ek, Spotify CEO speaking

Key Stock Sales (November 13-15):

  • Martin Lorentzon (Co-founder): $383.7 million
  • Daniel Ek (CEO): $35.8 million
  • Gustav Söderström (CTO): $38.4 million
  • Katarina Berg (Chief HR): $22.3 million
  • Alex Norstrom (Chief Business Officer): $18 million
  • Barry McCarthy (Director): $30 million combined

These significant stock sales coincide with Spotify's strategic diversification beyond music into podcasts, audiobooks, and video content. The timing is notable as Spotify's audiobook initiatives have reportedly saved the company over $100 million in royalties that would have gone to songwriters and publishers.

Meanwhile, major music labels are experiencing declining share prices, with Universal Music Group's stock dropping to $24.02/€22.66, marking a double-digit decrease from early 2024. This contrast highlights the growing tension between Spotify's success and traditional music industry stakeholders.

The platform's pivot toward non-music content and slower subscription revenue growth raises questions about the long-term implications for the music industry, particularly given the inherent advantages video content has over music in terms of release volume.

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