In this article, we will take a detailed look at the 11 most expensive stocks insiders are buying recently. We previously covered the 10 cheapest stocks insiders are buying recently.
The broader market returned around 21% over the past 12 months, and it is also doing well this year. Since the beginning of the year, it has moved 3.45%. As the January effect starts to cool off, we thought it could be useful to look into some of the stocks that insiders have recently not been shy to spend money on. Instead of the standard P/E ratio, today we decided to focus on the average price per share.
Why are expensive stocks worth considering? High-priced stocks are often perceived as more reliable long-term investments due to the belief that their higher price reflects a history of strong performance and lower volatility. While in investing there is not a single rule that guarantees results, taking more factors into account, such as price, insider trading activity, recent results, analyst coverage, and recent company moves and strategies, might help.
Both insider selling and buying can be driven by various motives that’s why it is important to consider these moves within the broader context of the company’s fundamentals, industry trends, and overall market conditions. Due diligence before any investment is of crucial importance. However, insider trading activity, combined with other relevant factors, can provide valuable insights into a company’s capabilities, helping investors make more informed decisions.
What are some of the most expensive stocks insiders have been buying over the last 30 days? To find out, we used Insider Monkey’s insider trading stock screener, focusing only on stocks where at least two insiders had purchased shares recently. From there, we ranked the 10 stocks with the highest average price per share.
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).
With each stock, we note the average price per share of these purchases and the stock’s market capitalization. Let’s take a look at the 11 most expensive stocks insiders have been buying recently.
A busy trading floor with brokers and traders looking at screens and making deals in the fixed income market.
11. PhenixFIN Corporation (NASDAQ:PFX)
Average price per share: $48.99
Market capitalization: $107.31 million
The eleventh priciest stock insiders have been purchasing lately is a business development company PhenixFIN. The New York-headquartered company is engaged in investing in privately negotiated debt and equity securities of small and middle-market companies. PhenixFIN mostly operates across the following industries: business services, oil and gas, building and real estate, aerospace and defense, automobile, healthcare, education and childcare, mining, telecommunications, retail stores, and more.
In February, two insiders acquired a total of $49,041 worth of PhenixFIN shares at an average price of $48.99 per share. The stock is currently trading at $53.13 per share, as it has gained 4.92% since the beginning of the year. Over the last 12 months, its shares grew 18.07%.
For the first quarter of the company’s fiscal 2025, PhenixFIN reported net investment income of $1.63 million, compared to $1.71 million in the same period last year. Total net realized gains amounted to $1.17 million, compared to $229,804 in the comparable period of fiscal 2024.
For the full fiscal 2024, the company disclosed net investment income of $4.73 million, compared to $6.51 million for the fiscal 2023. Total net realized gain for the year amounted to $7.29 million, compared to total net realized loss of $11.53 million.
The fair value of the company’s investment portfolio totaled and consisted of 43 portfolio companies, with three investments on non-accrual status valued at $1.5 million.
In October, the company acquired an 80% stake in The National Security Group, an Alabama-based insurance holding company.
“We are pleased with our performance in 2024 as we grew NAV per share 12%, from to per share,” stated David Lorber, CEO of the company. “We are also excited with the successful transaction with NSG and look forward to new avenues of growth. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for and aligns with our commitment to execute on our investment strategy.”
On February 6, the company’s board of directors declared a special dividend of $1.43 per share.
Currently, analyst coverage on PhenixFIN is limited, which could indicate an opportunity or a lack of broader market attention.
10. RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:RICK)
Average price per share: $50.77
Market capitalization: $474.99 million
RCI Hospitality Holdings is a publicly traded owner and operator of adult nightclubs and sports bar restaurants. It was founded in 1983 as Rick’s Cabaret International and went public in 1995. The company changed its name to RCI Hospitality Holdings in 2014. The Houston, Texas-headquartered company runs elegant gentlemen’s clubs with entertainers and exclusive restaurants.
Insider Monkey previously covered a bull case theory on this stock. In summary, the thesis praises the company’s strong shareholder value creation through share buybacks – RCI Hospitality Holdings retired 401,093 shares (around 4.5% of outstanding shares) as of August 2023. In September, the company raised its dividend payments by 16.7% to $0.07 per share. The bull case for nightclub operators also presents the launch of AdmireMe, a competitor to OnlyFans, which is expected to digitally expand the company’s operations.
In February, two insiders, including the president and CEO bought a total of around $60,487 worth of RCI Hospitality Holdings, for an average price of $50.77 per share. Out of the total amount acquired, the CEO, Scott Eric Langan, purchased 1,000 shares, increasing his holdings to 704,000 shares.
Since the beginning of the year, the stock lost 6.79% and is now trading at $53.57. Over the last 12 months, its shares dropped 4.10%.
One Wall Street analyst has a “Moderate Buy” rating on RCI Hospitality stock, and a 12-month price target of $98.00. This represents an increase of 82.94% from the previous price, according to data from TipRanks.
9. First Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:THFF)
Average price per share: $52.31
Market capitalization: $614.74 million
First Financial Corporation is the holding company for the fifth oldest national bank in the U.S. – First Financial Bank N.A. The bank operates 83 banking centers across Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia.
In February, three insiders purchased a total of around $113,463 worth of First Financial shares at an average price of $52.31 per share. Year-to-date, the stock gained 12.38% and is now trading at $51.91 per share. Over the last 12 months, First Financial returned 37.26% to its investors.
For the fourth quarter of 2024, the company reported a net income of $16.2 million, compared to $12.4 million reported in the same quarter of 2023. Return on average assets was 1.18% compared to 1.05% for the comparable period of the prior year. For the full year 2024, First Financial disclosed a net income of $47.3 million, which compares to the $60.7 million it reported for 2023.
In December, the company’s board of directors declared a dividend of $0.51 per share.
Two analysts have an average “Moderate Buy” rating on First Financial stock, with a price target of $54.50. This represents an increase of 4.99% from the previous price, according to TipRanks.
8. Tectonic Therapeutic, Inc. (NASDAQ:TECX)
Average price per share: $52.76
Market capitalization: $568.67 million
With an average price of $52.76 per share, Tectonic Therapeutic is the eighth among the 11 most expensive stocks insiders have bought recently. Tectonic Therapeutic is a biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of therapeutic proteins and antibodies that modulate the activity of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs).
With its proprietary technology platform GEODe, the company is working on new biological therapeutics to harness the human body to modify the course of disease. Tectonic’s main focus is on medical conditions where therapeutic options are limited or nonexistent. The company was co-founded by Timothy A. Springer and Andrew C. Kruse of Harvard Medical School.
On February 5, two insiders purchased a total of around $40.25 million worth of Tectonic Therapeutic shares at an average price of $52.76 per share. These transactions were part of the company’s $185 million private placement announced on February 3.
The stock is currently trading at $30.84, having lost 33.21% since the beginning of the year. Over the last 12 months, Tectonic Therapeutic returned 97.66% to its investors.
Five analysts have an average “Strong Buy” rating on Tectonic stock with a 12-month price target of $80.5 per share, according to data from Stock Analysis.
7. Burke & Herbert Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:BHRB)
Average price per share: $63.94
Market capitalization: $950.09 million
Burke & Herbert Financial Services Corp is a bank holding company for Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Company, which offers a plethora of community banking products and services across Maryland and Virginia. The bank’s offerings include consumer and commercial deposit products (like digital banking, demand, and savings accounts, as well as certificates of deposit) and loans.
Over the past 30 days, three insiders bought a total of around $712,262 worth of Burke & Herbert shares at an average price of $63.94 per share. At the moment, the stock is trading at $63.47, having gained 1.78% since the beginning of the year. Over the last 12 months, Burke & Herbert’s shares gained 14.98%.
In 2024, the company had a net income of $35.03 million (or $2.82 per diluted share), compared to a net income of $22.69 million in 2023. The company said its balance sheet is strong with liquidity, which includes all available borrowing capacity with cash and cash equivalents, of $4.2 billion at the end of the fourth quarter. Burke & Herbert ended the quarter with 11.5% common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, 14.6% total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets, and a leverage ratio of 9.8%.
The average rating on the stock from two Wall Street analysts is “Moderate Buy.” The analysts have also set a 12-month price target of $76, which is an increase of 19.74% from the previous price, according to TipRanks.
6. Ashland Inc. (NYSE:ASH)
Average price per share: $64.12
Market capitalization: $3.13 billion
The six most expensive stock insiders have been purchasing lately is a global specialty chemicals company, Ashland. The Wilmington, Delaware-based company has a workforce of 7,000 professionals, servicing a wide range of consumer and industrial markets in more than 100 countries.
Ashland operates in four segments – Life Sciences, Personal Care, Specialty Additives, and Intermediates. The company’s Life Sciences sector generates the highest revenue.
On January 31, two insiders, including the company’s CEO, bought a total of $2.22 million worth of Ashland shares at an average price of $64.12 per share. Out of the total amount, Ashland’s CEO, Guillermo Novo, acquired 31,294 shares, worth $2.01 million.
Since the beginning of the year, Ashland’s shares dropped 7.46%, now trading at $66.13 per share. Over the past 12 months, the stock declined 28.26%.
For the first quarter of fiscal 2024, the company reported sales of $405 million, down 14% from the prior year quarter. Net loss amounted to $165 million, compared to net income of $26 million in the same period of 2023. During the quarter, the company signed a definitive agreement to sell its Avoca business.
According to the analysis of seven analysts, Ashland stock is “Buy.” The analysts also set a 12-month price target of $93.5, writes StockAnalysis.
5. The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL)
Average price per share: $66.16
Market capitalization: $25.82 billion
The Estée Lauder is the second largest cosmetics company in the world after L’Oréal. The New York City-headquartered company offers a wide range of beauty, skincare, perfume, makeup, and hair care products. Insider Monkey recently shared A Bull Case Theory for The Estée Lauder. In summary, the thesis acknowledges the company’s “Beauty Reimagined” strategy under new leadership from Stéphane de La Faverie and Akhil Shrivastava. This initiative aims to restore sustainable sales growth and achieve double-digit operating income growth in the coming years. Under the new strategy is a restructuring plan that will eliminate up to 7,000 jobs to streamline operations. The initiative is expected to result in annual savings of $800,000 million to $1 billion.
On February 5th, two insiders, among which is the company’s CFO, acquired a total of $8.74 million worth of The Estée Lauder shares at an average price of $66.16 per share. The stock is currently trading at $71.70, having lost 4.45% year-to-date. Over the past 12 months, The Estée Lauder shares declined 51.39%.
Twenty analysts have coverage on The Estée Lauder stock, and their average rating is “Hold.” A 12-month price target is $81.33, which is an increase of 13.31% from the previous price, as per data from StockAnalysis.
4. RLI Corp. (NYSE:RLI)
Average price per share: $72.14
Market capitalization: $6.88 billion
RLI Corp is an insurance holding company specializing in property and casualty insurance and also one of 10 mid-cap stocks insiders are buying recently. The company’s casualty segment offers commercial and personal coverage products and general liability products. RLI’s offering also includes coverages for security guards and environmental liability for underground storage tanks, contractors and more.
In January, five insiders, among which are the company’s CEO, and COO purchased a total of around $949,974 worth of RLI shares at an average price of $72.14 per share. Out of the total amount, RLI’s CEO, W Craig Kliethermes, acquired 5,000 shares, increasing his holdings to 139,190 shares.
Since the beginning of the year, RLI shares declined 9.16%, now trading at $74.87 per share. Over the past 12 months, RLI stock gained 5.21%.
RLI’s average rating is “Hold” from nine research firms, according to StockAnalysis, and an average 12-month price target is $81.92.
On February 13, the company’s Board of Directors declared a first-quarter regular cash dividend of $0.15 per share, a 3.4% increase over the prior quarter. RLI has increased dividends in each of the last 50 years. For the fourth quarter of 2024, RLI disclosed net earnings of $40.9 million ($0.44 per share), compared to $114.6 million ($1.24 per share) for the same period of 2023.
3. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)
Average price per share: $88.38
Market capitalization: $222.71 billion
The third among the 11 most expensive stocks insiders are buying recently is a New Jersey-based global healthcare company that develops treatments for oncology, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Merck & Co. also runs an animal health division concentrated on veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health management solutions. It is a dividend-paying stock and one of 13 cheap high dividend stocks to invest in now.
The company recently announced it has received European Commission conditional approval for WELIREG (belzutifan), the first oral HIF-2α inhibitor in the EU, for two indications: treatment of adult patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease and advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
In February, two insiders bought a total of around $1.58 million worth of Merck & Co. shares at an average price of $88.38 per share. Currently, the stock is trading at $88.00 per share, having lost 11.55% since the beginning of the year. Over the past 12 months, the stock declined 31.31%, and it is possible that insiders wanted to use the current drop to acquire shares at a more affordable price.
In 2024, the company had sales of $64.16 billion, compared to $60.12 billion in 2023.
As per the opinion of 17 analysts, Merck & Co. is a “Buy.” A 12-month price target is projected at $120.31, data from StockAnalysis reveals.
2. Wynn Resorts, Limited (NASDAQ:WYNN)
Average price per share: $92.31
Market capitalization: $9.89 billion
Wynn Resorts Ltd. is an international developer and operator of luxury hotels and casinos. The Paradise, Nevada-headquartered company operates in four segments: Wynn Las Vegas, Wynn Macau, Las Vegas Operations and Encore Boston Harbor. Its offering includes private gaming salons and sky casinos, luxurious hotel suites, villas, etc. Wynn Resorts is also one of 12 best consumer discretionary stocks to buy according to analysts.
The company recently announced that Wynn Al Marjan Island has obtained a $2.4 billion construction facility with a global syndicate of lenders to finance the development of Wynn Al Marjan Island, the first integrated resort in the United Arab Emirates.
In February, two insiders purchased a total of around $2.19 million shares at an average price of $92.31 per share. The stock is now trading at $92.56, having gained 7.43% year-to-date. Over the last 12 months, the company’s shares declined 9.58%.
In 2023, the company’s operating revenue reached $7.13 billion, compared to $6.53 billion in 2023.
As many as 13 analysts have an average “Strong Buy” rating on Wynn Resort stock. A 12-month stock price is set to $119.23, which is 28.02% higher than the previous price, according to Stock Analysis.
1. TKO Group Holdings Inc (NYSE:TKO)
Average price per share: $160.52
Market capitalization: $13.23 billion
The first among the 11 most expensive stocks insiders are buying recently is a global sports and entertainment company – TKO Group. It was 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 stock is also one of the 10 stocks insiders spent the most money on recently.
TKO Group produces and licenses live events, TV programs, long- and short-form content, reality series, etc. Its content reaches more than 1 billion households across around 210 countries and territories. Each year, the company organizes more than 300 live events, attracting more than two million fans.
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.
Over the last 30 days, three insiders acquired a total of $848.67 million worth of TKO Group’s shares, at an average price of $160.52 per share. The stock is currently trading at $163.06, having gained 14.74%, year-to-date. Over the past 12 months, TKO Group shares returned 90.35% to its investors.
According to 14 analysts, the average rating for TKO Group stock is “Strong Buy.” A 12-month price target is $146.46, data from StockAnalysis reveals.
Overall, TKO is first among the 11 most expensive stocks insiders are buying recently. While we acknowledge the potential of TKO 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 TKO 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
Disclosure: None. Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily e-newsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below.
