Massive Hedge Fund Trades Highlight Insider Buying: GE, Pentair, Tempur Sealy, Apollo Global and More
In a week that saw that saw the largest sell-off of the year and had some people thinking a true correction was ready to start, top hedge funds and executives reached into their wallets and made some major purchases. Like the week before, we also saw a huge amount of insider activity concentrated on the buy side, as selling was once again very light in comparison.
We cover insider buying each week at 24/7 Wall St., and we like to remind readers that while insider buying is usually a very positive sign, it is not in of itself a reason to run out and buy a stock. Sometimes insiders and 10% owners have stock purchase plans set up at intervals to add to their holdings. That aside, it remains an overall positive indicator.
ALSO READ: Warren Buffett’s Top Stock Holdings Keep Changing
Here are some of the companies that reported notable insider buying this past week.
Pentair PLC (PNR) had a major holder and director of the company buying more shares last week. Trian Fund purchased 863,000 shares of this diversified industrial manufacturing company at prices that ranged from $65.13 to $65.41 apiece. The total for the trade was posted at a huge $56 million. The stock closed Friday at $67.11, so the purchase appears to be well timed. The 52-week trading range is $53.80 to $69.03, and the Wall Street consensus price objective is $67.50.
Tempur Sealy International Inc. (TPX) saw a 10% owner of the company making another huge purchase last week. H Partners acquired a massive 640,000 shares of the stock at prices that ranged from $46.98 to $48.61. The total for the trade was posted at a whopping $31 million. But the shares closed Friday at $45.99, in a 52-week range of $39.52 to $87.37. The consensus price target is $50.67.
ALSO READ: Baird Dividend Portfolio Offers Big Yields, Safety and Solid Upside Potential
SunOpta Inc. (STKL) also had a big fund buying stock last week. Oaktree Capital purchased 1,392,699 shares of this organic food and beverage products at $8.00 a share. The total for the purchase was set at $11 million. The stock closed Friday at $9.35, above both the buy-in price and the consensus price target of $9.00. The new 52-week range is $3.16 to $9.45.
General Electric Co.'s (GE) CEO was buying shares last week, a move that will be seen as very positive. Jeffrey Immelt picked up a 100,000-share block of the stock at prices that ranged from $28.03 to $28.08. The total for the purchase was set at $3 million. The stock closed last Friday at $28.05. The 52-week trading range for the iconic industrial is $27.20 to $33.00, and the consensus price objective is $32.29.
ALSO READ: Top Strategist Says Now’s the Time to Buy Stocks With International Exposure
Wesco Aircraft Holdings Inc. (WAIR) has been pounded this year, so shareholders will be pleased to know a director at the company bought a million-share block of the stock last week. That board member purchased the shares between $8.00 and $9.00 apiece, and the total price for the trade was set at $9 million. Shares closed Friday at $9.10, in a 52-week range of $7.46 to $15.78, and with a consensus price target of $9.88.
Apollo Global Management LLC (APO) had a huge hedge fund once again acquiring shares last week. Tiger Global Management bought 202,100 shares of the private equity giant at prices that ranged from $26.75 to $27.01. The total for the purchase was reported at 5.5 million. The stock close last Friday at $26.10, and the 52-week range for the shares is $14.25 to $27.78. The consensus price target is $30.
ALSO READ: Merrill Lynch Has 5 Semiconductor Stocks to Buy for the Next 5 Years
These companies also reported insider buying last week: Apache Corp. (APA), Halliburton Co. (HAL), Revlon Inc. (REV), Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. (VRX) and U.S. Steel Corp. (NYSE: X).
Another week of insider buying absolutely swamping the sellers, and again, in a week that saw some of the highest volatility we have seen this year. This is a positive sign for investors given that once again, despite the selling, all the indexes are trading at or near their all-time highs.
Related Articles
