In this article, we will take a detailed look at 10 Top Insider Stock Buys And Sells In January. We previously covered 10 Stocks Insiders Are Buying This Year.
Ever heard of the “January effect?” In case you haven’t, a “January effect” is considered a phenomenon in the stock market where stock prices, most commonly of small-cap stocks, rise in the month of January. Analysts have noticed the pattern and provided various explanations for it.
Some attribute the January rise in price to tax-loss harvesting, which usually happens between October and December. The theory suggests that after investors have sold some of their stocks at the end of the year for tax purposes, investors search for new buying opportunities. Others believe that year-end bonuses lead to more investments which subsequently increases stock prices. Overall, whatever the reasons, January seems to be a favorable part of the year for the stock market.
This January, the broader market index went up 2.93%. But, what are some of the stocks that have seen the most insider trading activity this month? To find out, we used Insider Monkey’s insider trading stock screener and looked for stocks with a minimum of five insiders buying or selling in January.
Why should we be interested in insider trading activity? While both insider selling and buying can be driven by various motives, it is important to consider these moves within the broader context of the company’s fundamentals, industry trends, and overall market conditions. That’s why due diligence before any investment is of the utmost importance. However, insider trading activity in combination with other relevant determinants can offer valuable insights into a company’s capabilities, helping investors make more informed investment decisions.
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 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here)
Let’s take a look at 10 Top Insider Stock Buys And Sells In January.
A person standing in front of a trading floor monitor, tracking the performance of mid-cap markets.
10. TKO Group Holdings Inc (NYSE:TKO)
Number of insiders buying: 8
Market Cap: $14.25 billion
TKO Group is a global sports and entertainment company, created by Endeavor (NYSE:EDR) as part of a merger between World Wrestling Entertainment and Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The company produces and licenses live events, TV programs, long- and short-form content, reality series, etc. It reaches more than 1 billion households across around 210 countries and territories. Each year, TKO Group organizes more than 300 live events year-round, attracting more than two million fans.
At the end of January, eight insiders, among which is the company’s CEO, acquired a total of around $270.75 million worth of TKO Group shares at an average price of $156.07 per share. The stock is currently trading at $175.50, having gained 23.50% since the beginning of the year. Over the past 12 months, TKO Group shares gained 104.64%.
In February, the company announced that UFC and Monster Energy have signed a multiyear renewal of their long-standing partnership, under which Monster will continue as the exclusive global Offical Energy Drink of UFC. TKO will release its earnings report for the fourth quarter of 2024 on February 26.
As per 14 analysts’ ratings, TKO stock is a “Strong Buy,” and its price is forecasted at $146.46, reveals data from Stock Analysis.
9. QNB Corp (OTCMKTS:QNBC)
Number of insiders buying: 9
Market Cap: $125.71 million
QNB Corp is a bank holding company for QNB Bank, which offers commercial and retail banking and brokerage services. Among QNB Bank’s various deposit products are demand and saving accounts, such as interest-bearing demand, and traditional statement savings, among others. The company also provides securities and advisory services.
On January 2, nine insiders acquired a total of around $35,717 worth of QNB shares at a price of $33.92 per share. The stock is currently trading at $34.10, having gained 0.53% year-to-date and 39.18% over the last 12 months. With so much insider trading activity in January, QNB Corp is also one of the 10 Stocks Insiders Are Buying This Year.
For the fourth quarter of 2024, QNB Corp disclosed net income of $3.05 million or $0.83 per diluted share. This compares to net income of $1.13 million or $0.31 per share on a diluted basis, for the same quarter of the prior year. As of December 31, 2024, total assets stood at $1.87 billion compared with $1.71 billion on December 31, 2023.
This is also a dividend-paying stock, with the last dividend payment of $0.37 per share in December.
Currently, there is not much analyst coverage on QNB stock.
8. Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SKWD)
Number of insiders selling: 9
Market Cap: $1.99 billion
Skyward Specialty Insurance Group is eighth among the 10 Top Insider Stock Buys And Sells in January. This is a professional insurer with a focus on niche markets, offering tailored underwriting solutions for risk that traditional insurers often avoid. We previously covered A Bull Case Theory on Skyward stock.
In short, the theory suggests that while natural disasters bring short-term risks, Skyward’s disciplined pricing and risk management should protect its capital in the long term. In 2023, many property and casualty insurers posted underwriting losses with a combined ratio of 101.5%, Skyward delivered a 90.7% ratio, showcasing its capability to drive consistent profits.
Skyward runs in two segments – admitted insurance, which includes state-regulated policies, and non-admitted insurance, which provides pricing flexibility and coverage for specialized risks.
Last month, nine insiders, including the company’s Chairman and CEO, President, CFO, and CIO sold a total of around $2.34 million worth of Skyward shares at an average price of $47.57 per share. The stock is now trading at $49.86 per share, having lost 1.35% since the beginning of the year. Over the last 12 months, Skyward Specialty shares gained 43.81%.
For the fourth quarter of 2024, Skyward reported preliminary results, with net income of $14.4 million; and adjusted operating income of $33.2 million. This compares to net income of $29.3 million and adjusted operating income of $24.3 million in the same period of 2023. For the year ending 2025, the company expects net income of between $138.0 million and $150.0 million, and a combined ratio between 91% and 92%, inclusive of 2.0 to 2.5 points of catastrophe losses.
The average rating on the stock from 10 analysts is “Buy,” reveals StockAnalysis. Analysts also have set a price target on the stock of $53.0, which is an increase of 6.30% from the latest price.
With nine insiders selling the stock in January and a market capitalization of $1.99 billion, Skyward is also one of 10 Small–Cap Stocks Insiders Are Selling Recently.
7. Isabella Bank Corporation (OTCMKTS:ISBA)
Number of insiders buying: 10
Market Cap: $184.14 million
Isabella Bank is the parent holding company of more than a century-old Isabella Bank. The Michigan-headquartered state-chartered community bank was founded in 1903. The Bank provides investment, trust, and estate planning services, as well as personal and commercial lending and deposit products.
In January, 10 insiders, including the President and CEO, CFO, and COO, bought a total of approximately $87,434.56 worth of Isabella Bank shares at an average price of $25.37 per share. Out of the total amount, the company’s CEO, E Jerome Schwind, acquired 16 shares at a price of $24.69, increasing his holdings to 28,482 at the time. Then in February, Schwind purchased more shares and is now holding around 30,560 Isabella Bank shares.
Currently, the stock is trading at $25.44, having lost 1.78% since the beginning of the year. Over the past 12 months, the company’s shares have gone up 24.10%.
Isabela Bank reported a net income of $13.9 million, or $1.86 per share on a diluted basis for the full year 2024. This compares to net income of $18.2 million and $2.40 per share on a diluted basis in 2023. The non-GAAP measure of 2024 core earnings was $15.0 million, or $2.01 per diluted share, compared to $18.0 million, or $2.37 per diluted share, in 2023.
As per data from TipRanks, one Wall Street analyst rates Isabella Bank stock as “Hold,” and has a price target of $28.00 on it, which is a 10.06% increase from the last price.
6. Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc (NASDAQ:IONS)
Number of insiders selling: 10
Market Cap: $4.9 billion
Sixth on our list of 10 Top Insider Stock Buys And Sells in January is a biotechnology company, Ionis Pharmaceuticals. The Carlsbad, California-headquartered company is engaged in the discovery and development of RNA-targeted therapeutics. At the moment, Ionis has six marketed medicines and a pipeline of innovative therapies for rare illnesses, and neurology and cardiology treatments.
In December, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Tryngolza, an Ionis’ RNA-targeted therapy for the treatment of familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS). Tryngolza is the first-ever FDA-approved treatment that significantly and substantially reduces triglyceride levels in adults with FCS and offers a clinically meaningful reduction in AP events when used with an appropriate diet (≤20 grams of fat per day).
Last month, 10 insiders, sold a total of around $5.21 million worth of Ionis shares at an average price of $32.63 per share. Out of the total amount, the company’s CEO, P Brett Monia, sold 46,687 shares, worth $1.52 million, reducing his holdings to 219,526 Ionis shares. Monia also sold 38,843 shares in February.
The stock is now trading at $31.04 per share, having lost 11.21% since the beginning of the year. Over the last 12 months, Ionis shares dropped 30.01%. With 10 sales in January, and a market capitalization of $4.9 billion, Ionis Pharmaceuticals is also one of 10 Mid-Cap Stocks Insiders Are Selling Recently.
The average rating on Ionis stock from 18 analysts is “Buy,” with a price target of $62, which is an increase of 99.74% from the latest price, writes StockAnalysis.
5. Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX)
Number of insiders selling: 10
Market Cap: $11.49 billion
Neurocrine is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of medicine for the treatment of neurological, endocrine, and psychiatric disorders. Its flagship product, Ingrezza (valbenazine), is for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia and chorea associated with Huntington’s disease. The company’s Crinecerfont recently obtained Breakthrough Therapy designation for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).
In addition to Ingrezza, Neurocrine’s diverse portfolio contains other FDA-approved treatments, such as those for classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, endometriosis and uterine fibroids, as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid- to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas.
In January, 10 insiders, among which are the company’s CEO, CFO, and CCO sold a total of around $33 million worth of Neurocrine shares at an average price of $151.04. Out of the total amount, the company’s CEO, Kyle Gano, sold 66,541 shares, worth $9.43 million reducing his holding to 136,778 at the time.
The stock is now trading at $115.11 per share, having declined 15.78% year-to-date.
For the full year ended December 31, 2024, Neurocrine disclosed Ingrezza net sales of $2.36 billion, compared to $1.89 billion in 2023.
On January 28, the company launched a Phase 3 registrational study to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of osavampator, an investigational drug being developed as an additional treatment to antidepressants for major depressive disorder (MDD).
Neurocrine is also one of the 12 Best Low Risk High Growth Stocks to Invest In.
4. Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR)
Number of insiders selling: 10
Market Cap: $29.08 billion
Restaurant Brands International is the company behind popular brands like Tim Hortons, Burger King, Firehouse Subs, and Popeyes. It is also one of 10 Large-Cap Stocks Insiders Are Selling Recently. The Canadian-American multinational fast-food holding company operates more than 30,000 restaurants across 120 countries and territories.
In January, 10 investors, including the company’s CEO and CFO sold a total of $3.42 million worth of Restaurant Brands shares at an average price of $64.75 per share. Of the total amount, the company’s CEO, Joshua Kobza, sold 12,420 shares, worth $797,342, reducing his holdings to 703,445 shares. The stock is now trading at $64.45, having lost 1.12% since the beginning of the year. Over the past 12 months, Restaurant Brands shares declined 15.56%.
Restaurant Brands has been paying dividends for 10 consecutive years and has a 3.67% dividend yield. For the full year 2024, the company disclosed $8.41 billion, an increase of 19.71% compared to the previous year’s $7.02 billion. Net income amounted to $1.45 billion, compared to $1.72 billion for the full year 2023.
As many as 22 analysts have an average “Buy” rating on the stock, with a price target of $80.2, representing an increase of 24.19% from the latest price, as per data from StockAnalysis.
On February 18, the company announced it has bought stakes in Burger King China from its local franchisee for around $158 million. As a result, the company now owns nearly 100% of the business and plans to identify a new local partner to inject primary capital into the business and become the controlling shareholder.
3. Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM)
Number of insiders selling: 11
Market Cap: $91.95 billion
The third stock among the 10 Top Insider Stock Buys And Sells In January is Waste Management, an industrial company providing waste management solutions. The Houston, Texas-headquartered company offers collection services, such as picking up and transporting waste and recyclable materials to a transfer station. It was founded back in 1968.
The company’s wide network contains 337 transfer stations, 254 active landfill disposal sites, 97 recycling plants, and six independent power production plants. Close to 21 million customers across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, enjoy Waste Management’s services.
On January 31, as many as 11 insiders sold a total of around $1.33 million worth of shares at an average price of $222.70 per share. The stock is currently trading at $229.08 per share, having gained 13.52% since the beginning of the year.
The average rating for this stock from 20 analysts is “Buy.” The analysts also have a 12-month stock price target of $234.78, which represents an increase of 2.48% from the previous price, according to data from Stock Analysis.
For the full year 2024, the company reported revenue of $22.06 billion, which compares to revenue of $22.43 billion in 2023. Jim Fish, WM’s President and CEO said that the company expects to “ deliver a second consecutive year of double-digit growth in adjusted operating EBITDA in 2025.” Waste Management’s Board of Directors also recently declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.825 per share.
Over the past 12 months, Waste Management’s stock returned 13.52% to its investors. This is also one of the 10 Best Industrial Stocks to Invest in Now.
2. Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:APLS)
Number of insiders selling: 11
Market Cap: $3.514 billion
Second among the 10 top stocks with heavy insider trading activity in January, is a biopharmaceutical company, Apellis Pharmaceuticals. The company is engaged in the development of new therapies for various serious illnesses by controlling a part of the immune system known as the complement cascade. Apellis Pharmaceuticals two treatments targeting C3, the central protein in the cascade, have been approved, and one of them is Syfovre – the first-ever therapy for geographic atrophy, a leading cause of blindness around the world.
In January, 11 insiders, including CEO, CFO, and CTO, sold around $2.76 million worth of Apellis Pharmaceuticals shares at an average price of around $29.76 per share. The stock is now trading at $28.10, having lost 11.96% year-to-date.
Over the past 12 months, the stock dropped 58.59%, and some analysts believe this happened due to the lack of approval of Syvovre in Europe.
For the third quarter of 2024, Apellis Pharmaceutical disclosed $152 million in Syfovre US net product revenue. Total revenue for the quarter was $196.8 million, compared to total revenue of $110.4 million, including $75.3 million in Syfovre US net product revenue for the third quarter of 2023.
According to data from Stock Analysis, 18 analysts have an average “Buy” rating on Apellis Pharmaceuticals stock, with a 12-month price target of $46.71, representing an increase of 66.08% from the last price.
On January 27, the company announced that Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved Syfovre for the every-other-month treatment of adult patients with geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration with an intact fovea and when central vision is threatened by geographic atrophy lesion growth. Syfovre is the first and only approved treatment for geographic atrophy in Australia.
1. Smithfield Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFD)
Number of insiders buying: 10
Market Cap: $8.42 billion
Smithfield Foods is a global food company and one of the world’s largest pork processors and hog producers. The company went public in January, which is why it had heavy insider trading activity recently.
Smithfield has a diverse portfolio of popular brands, such as Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan’s Famous, Farmland, Farmer John, and Armour. It was founded back in 1936, as Smithfield Packing Company. It is also one of 15 Biggest Agriculture Stocks in 2025.
In January, 10 insiders, including the President and CEO, CFO, and CBO bought around $65.68 million worth of Smithfield shares at a price of $20 per share. Currently, the stock is trading at $21.41 per share, having gone up 8.41% since its IPO.
Since this is a new stock on the market, analysts’ coverage is yet to be expected.
Overall, SFD is first among the 10 top insider stock buys and sells in January. While we acknowledge the potential of SFD, 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 SFD 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 Complete List of 59 AI Companies Under $2 Billion in Market Cap
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