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.
8. Fractyl Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:GUTS)
Number of insiders buying: 5
Market Capitalization: $54.30 million
Fractyl Health is a metabolic therapeutics company focused on developing treatments for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. It is developing the Revita DMR System, a procedure targeting duodenal dysfunction, and Rejuva, a gene therapy platform aimed at long-term remission of T2D by altering metabolic hormone function in the pancreas.
In January, the company announced a strategic decision to focus Revita exclusively on weight maintenance, prioritizing the REMAIN-1 pivotal study to address the most pressing need in obesity care, while advancing its novel Rejuva gene therapy platform into first-in-human studies. Fractyl paused investment in its Revita programs for T2D, which consisted of the REVITALIZE-1 study, and the Germany Real-World Registry study.
In March, the company announced positive early data from its REVEAL-1 cohort in the REMAIN-1 pivotal study, suggesting that Revita may help prevent weight regain after stopping GLP-1 drugs. This addresses an unmet need in obesity treatment as the demand for scalable, non-pharmacologic solutions grows with increasing GLP-1 discontinuation rates.
During the first quarter, five insiders acquired approximately $193,475 worth of Fractyl Health shares at an average price of $1.24 per share. Currently, the stock trades at $1.11 per share, having declined 46.12% year-to-date and 83.53% over the past 12 months. Net loss amounted to $68.69 million, compared to net loss of $77.09 million in 2023.
For the full year 2024, Fractyl Health reported revenue of $93,000, compared to $120,000 in 2023. Gross profit was $43,000, flat compared to the previous year.
Based on two Wall Street analysts’ estimates, Fractyl Health stock is a “Moderate Buy” with a price target of $8.00. The average price target suggests a 620.72% potential upside from the latest price.
7. Finward Bancorp (NASDAQ:FNWD)
Number of insiders buying: 5
Market Capitalization: $125.58 million
Finward Bancorp is the holding company for Peoples Bank, offering a wide range of banking products, including deposit accounts, residential and commercial loans, and wealth management services. The Munster, Indiana-headquartered company also provides estate planning, insurance, and investment services, and operates as a real estate investment trust. Finward Bancorp changed its name from NorthWest Indiana Bancorp in 2021.
In February and March, five insiders, including the president and CEO, bought around $254,571 worth of Finward shares at an average price of $27.13 per share. Year-to-date, the stock is up 3.56%, trading at $29.11 per share. Over the past 12 months, Finward shares returned 18.43% to its investors.
For the full year 2024, Finward reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $12.1 million, or $2.84 per diluted share, compared to $8.4 million or $1.96 per diluted share in 2023. The net interest margin was 2.54%, compared to 2.83% for 2023. As of December 31, 2024, deposits totaled $1.8 billion, an increase of $11.8 million or 0.7%, compared to September 30, 2024.
According to TipRanks, one Wall Street analyst rates Finward Bancorp stock as “Hold” with a price target of $35.00 per share. The average price target suggests a 20.23% potential upside from the latest price.
6. The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund Inc. (NASDAQ:CUBA)
Number of insiders buying: 5
Market Capitalization: $42.45 million
The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund is a closed-end equity mutual fund that invests in U.S. public equities of companies likely to benefit from developments in the Caribbean Basin, including Cuba, Jamaica, and other nations in the region. The fund focuses on diversified sectors across these countries.
In a recent development, The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund’s board of directors has approved a change in its investment strategy, shifting focus to a “CLO Equity Strategy” with a primary objective of total return and a secondary goal of generating high current income. The Fund will invest in equity and junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), which consist of below-investment-grade U.S. senior secured loans.
In March, five insiders acquired around $854,006 worth of The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin shares at an average price of $2.60 per share. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has risen 14.96%, trading at $2.69 per share. Over the past 12 months, the stock gained 4.67%.
Analyst coverage on The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin stock is currently limited.
5. biote Corp. (NASDAQ:BTMD)
Number of insiders buying: 5
Market Capitalization: $192.84 million
Biote specializes in hormone optimization, offering training and certification for physicians and nurse practitioners in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. It ranks fifth among the 10 micro-cap stocks insiders were buying in Q1 2025.
The Irving, Texas-based company provides a comprehensive practice-building platform, including education, practice management software, inventory tools, and marketing support. Biote also sells dietary supplements and sterile pellet insertion kits for hormone therapy.
In March, five insiders, including the company’s CEO, acquired a total of $2.79 million worth of biote shares at an average price of $3.75 per share. Currently, the stock trades at $3.63 per share, having dropped 41.26% year-to-date and 37.09% over the past 12 months.
For the full year 2024, biote disclosed revenue of $197.2 million, up 6.4% year-over-year. The increase was primarily driven by growth in procedure revenue. Net income attributable to biote stockholders amounted to $3.16 million, compared to $3.32 million in 2023. Gross profit margin for 2024 was 70.5% compared to 68.8% for 2023. The increase in gross profit margin was primarily due to the vertical integration of its 503B manufacturing facility and effective cost management. Adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was $58.2 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 29.5%, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $55.3 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 29.8% for 2023.
The consensus rating on biote stock from six analysts is a “Strong Buy” with a price target of $7.36 per share, reports TipRanks. The average price target suggests a 102.75% upside from the latest price.
4. Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc. (NASDAQ:AUBN)
Number of insiders buying: 5
Market Capitalization: $76.79 million
Auburn National Bancorporation is the bank holding company for AuburnBank, offering a range of banking products and services in East Alabama, including deposits, loans, and financial services. The Auburn, Alabama-headquartered company also provides online banking, debit cards, and ATM services.
In February, the company’s board of directors declared a first quarter $0.27 per share cash dividend.
For the full year 2024, Auburn reported net earnings of $6.4 million, or $1.83 per share, compared to $1.4 million, or $0.40 per share, for 2023. Excluding the loss on the sale of securities related to the balance sheet repositioning strategy during 2023, net earnings for the full year 2023 would have been $6.1 million, or $1.75 per share.
In January and February, five insiders, including the company’s president and CEO, bought approximately $12,273 worth of Auburn shares at an average price of $23.69 per share. Year-to-date the stock is down 6.43%, trading at $21.98 per share. However, over the past 12 months its shares returned 16.30% to investors.
Analyst coverage on Auburn stock is currently limited.
3. MVB Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:MVBF)
Number of insiders buying: 6
Market Capitalization: $223.37 million
MVB Financial is a bank holding company for MVB Bank, providing financial services to individuals and businesses through its CoRe Banking, Mortgage Banking, and Financial Holding Company segments. The Fairmont, West Virginia-headquartered company offers a variety of deposit accounts, loans, fintech solutions, and fraud prevention services, as well as digital products for community banks and credit unions.
For the fourth quarter of 2024, MVB Financial disclosed a net income of $9.4 million, or $0.73 basic and $0.72 diluted earnings per share, which compares to a net income of $7.9 million, or $0.62 basic and $0.61 diluted earnings per share in the same quarter of 2023. Noninterest income rose by $14.6 million (219.7%) to $21.3 million, mainly due to an $11.8 million gain from a sale-leaseback transaction, a $1.2 million increase in other operating income, and a $1.0 million gain from loan sales. Noninterest expense increased by $4.1 million (14.0%) to $33.6 million, driven by higher employee benefits, incentive compensation, and increased professional fees, including audit and legal costs.
In March, six insiders, including the CEO, and CFO, purchased approximately $129,566 worth of MVB Financial shares at an average price of $17.30 per share. Currently, the stock trades at $17.25 per share, having declined 16.67% year-to-date, and 19.88% over the past 12 months.
Three analysts rate MVB Financial as a “Moderate Buy” with a price target of $25.00, according to MarketBeat. The average price target suggests a potential upside of 44.93% from the latest price.
2. Consumers Bancorp, Inc. (OTCQX:CBKM)
Number of insiders buying: 6
Market Capitalization: $63.42 million
Consumers Bancorp is the holding company for Consumers National Bank, which offers a range of banking services for individuals, farmers, and small businesses. The Minerva, Ohio-headquartered company provides various deposit products, loans for commercial, residential, and agricultural purposes, and consumer loans like auto loans and personal lines of credit. It also invests in securities and offers credit cards, ATMs, and online banking.
Last month, the company’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend on the outstanding shares of the corporation’s common stock in the amount of $0.19 per share.
In a recent development, Consumers National Bank announced the opening of a new full-service branch at 2117 Lincoln Way E in Massillon, Ohio, marking its ninth location in Stark County and 22nd overall. Ralph J. Lober II, president and CEO, emphasized that the new branch will enhance service to personal, business, and agricultural customers in the area, with Lacey Kintz serving as the Massillon Branch Relationship Manager.
In February and March, six insiders, including the president and CEO, bought approximately $84,925 worth of Consumers Bancorp shares at an average price of $19.12 per share. The stock now trades at $20.25 per share, having risen 3.90% year-to-date, and 24.62% over the past 12 months.
Analyst coverage on Consumers Bancorp stock is currently limited.
1. Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACXP)
Number of insiders buying: 6
Market Capitalization: $8.36 million
Acurx Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, with its lead candidate, ibezapolstat, currently in Phase 2b trials for Clostridium difficile infections. The Staten Island, New York-based company also develops ACX-375C, a potential treatment for gram-positive bacteria, including resistant strains like MRSA and VRE. It ranks first among 10 micro-cap stocks insiders were buying in the first quarter of 2025.
During the first quarter, six insiders, including the president and CEO acquired around $170,000 worth of Acurx shares at an average price of $1.02 per share. Currently, the stock trades at $0.38 per share, having lost 53.17% year-to-date and 82.52% over the past 12 months.
For the full year 2024, Acurx reported a net loss of $14.1 million or $0.87 per share, compared to a net loss of $14.6 million or $1.15 per share in 2023. General and administrative expenses reached $8.7 million, compared to $8.5 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to a $700,000 increase in professional fees, a $300,000 increase in legal fees, offset by a $600,000 decrease in share-based compensation costs and a $200,000 decrease in insurance costs. Research and development expenses were $5.4 million compared to $6.0 million in 2023. The company ended the year with cash totaling $3.7 million, compared to $7.5 million as of December 31, 2023.
One analyst has given Acurx stock a “Strong Buy” rating, with a 12-month price target of $12.00, reports StockAnalysis.
Overall, ACXP is first among the 10 micro-cap stocks insiders were buying in Q1 2025. While we acknowledge the potential of ACXP our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ACXP but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.
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