This article explores the 10 micro-cap stocks insiders were buying in Q1 2025. Previously, we covered the 20 Stocks Insiders Were Selling In Q1 2025.
The White House announced Tuesday that Trump’s tariffs would take effect immediately after being unveiled on Wednesday. In anticipation of these “reciprocal tariffs,” which will apply to all countries, the stock market reacted. By Tuesday morning, the broader market index and Nasdaq Composite dropped by about 0.2%, while blue-chip companies lost 0.06%.
Amid ongoing market uncertainty, insider trading often comes under the spotlight. Executive stock purchases can signal optimism, but sales may reflect personal financial decisions or a need to diversify investments. To maintain transparency, executives typically follow pre-arranged strategies, like 10b5-1 plans. While insider trading can offer valuable information, it’s important to evaluate it in the broader context of the company’s financial stability and current market trends.
The S&P TMI index standing proud at the center of a packed trading table.
Our Methodology
Today, we’re focusing on stocks with micro market capitalizations that have seen significant insider buying in the first quarter of the year. Using Insider Monkey’s insider trading screener, we identified companies with market caps under $250 million where at least three insiders purchased shares in the past three months. From this list, we ranked the top 10 stocks with the highest number of insiders making purchases. Stocks that have been recently covered were excluded from our analysis.
Our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds, focusing on insider trading and stock picks from hedge fund investor newsletters and conferences. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
With each stock, we note the number of insiders who acquired shares in the first quarter and market capitalizations. Let’s take a look at the 10 micro-cap stocks insiders were buying in Q1 2025.
10. OraSure Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSUR)
Number of insiders buying: 5
Market Capitalization: $248.34 million
OraSure Technologies develops, manufactures, and sells diagnostic products and specimen collection devices globally, including HIV, HCV, and Covid-19 tests, as well as genomic and microbiome products. The Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based company also offers drug testing systems, alcohol tests, and diagnostic products for clinical laboratories, hospitals, and other organizations.
In February, five insiders, including the president and CEO, and CFO purchased around $760,995 worth of OraSure Technologies shares at an average price of $3.18 per share. The stock now trades at $3.32 per share, having lost 8.03% year-to-date, and 44.76% over the past 12 months.
For the fourth quarter of 2024, OraSure reported net revenues of $37.4 million, down 51% from $75.9 million in the same period of 2023. The revenue decreased mostly due to the decline in Covid-19 revenues. GAAP operating loss in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $12.4 million compared to operating income of $3.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Cash and cash equivalents were $267.8 million as of December 31, 2024.
According to MarketBeat, two analysts rate OraSure Technologies as “Hold” with a price target of $5.50 per share. The average price target suggests a potential upside of 66.41% from the latest price.
9. Orion Energy Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:OESX)
Number of insiders buying: 5
Market Capitalization: $24.06 million
Orion Energy Systems designs, manufactures, and installs energy management systems for commercial, industrial, and government clients in North America and Germany. The Manitowoc, Wisconsin-based company offers LED lighting products, energy management services, EV charging solutions, and maintenance for lighting and electrical systems.
In February, five insiders, including the company’s CEO, bought around $65,519 worth of Orion Energy shares at an average price of $0.86 per share. Year-to-date, the stock is down 8.75%, trading at $0.73 per share. Over the past 12 months, its shares dropped 17.98%.
In a recent development, the company announced it had begun installing LED lighting at a federal government agency, with project purchase orders currently totaling $3 million and potential for future growth. The project is expected to be completed in the first half of Orion’s fiscal year 2026.
For the third quarter of fiscal 2025, the company reported revenue of $19.6 million, down from $26.0 million in the same quarter of 2024. The net loss for the period was $1.5 million, an improvement compared to the $2.3 million loss in the previous year.
According to MarketBeat, one analyst rates Orion Energy stock as “Buy” with a price target of $3.00. The average price target suggests a potential upside of 310.96% from the latest price.