Insiders Continue to Buy Stock as Market Sells Off

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By Lee Jackson Published
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After a very solid 2014, the stock market has started 2015 down as early earnings have disappointed and oil continues to plunge. One thing is for sure, with Treasury yields hitting all-time lows on the 30-year debt, one of the few places to be for investors may be the stock market. Insiders looking to add to their positions took advantage this week of the stock market weakness.

We cover insider buying every week at 24/7 Wall St., and company executives and 10% owners such as hedge funds and mutual funds put some money to work again as the market slid. Here are the top insider buying trades that hit our screens for this week.

Oasis Petroleum Inc. (NYSE: OAS) has been battered by the sell-off in oil, and a 10% owner took advantage. SPO Advisory bought a 2.2 million share block of stock at prices that ranged from $15.00 to $15.10. The total came to a whopping $32.5 million. SPO may want to buy more as the shares were trading on Friday’s close at $13.68.

Almost Family Inc. (NASDAQ: AFAM) is another company in which a 10% owner added to positions this week. North Tide Capital bought 97,200 shares of the stock at prices that ranged from $29.21 to 29.55. The total purchase came to $2.8 million. The company provides home health services in the United States. Shares closed trading on Friday at $30.87, so a well-timed purchase.

ALSO READ: 5 Very Oversold Tech Stocks That Could Be Close to Reversing

CareDx Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNA) also had a 10% owner acquire stock this past week. Neil Gagnon bought a block of 122,318 shares at prices between $6.88 and $7.20. The total purchase came to $865,000. CareDx develops, markets and delivers a diagnostic surveillance solution for heart transplant recipients. The stock ended the week at $6.94.

Trans World Entertainment Corp. (NASDAQ: TWMC) also had an individual who is a 10% owner add to holdings this week. Lloyd Miller bought 268,607 shares at $3.17, for a total purchase of $852,000. The company operates as a specialty retailer of entertainment products, including video, music, electronics, trend items, video games and accessories. The stock closed Friday at $3.30.

Genuine Parts Co. (NYSE: GPC) saw the CEO make a sizable purchase. Thomas Gallagher bought 5,000 shares of the thinly traded company at $95.25. That cost him $476,000. The company distributes automotive replacement parts, industrial replacement parts, office products and electrical and electronic materials. The stock was trading at $97.10 at Friday’s closing bell.

Other stocks that saw insider buying this week included Alico Inc. (NASDAQ: ALCO), Superior Energy Services Inc. (NYSE: SPN), Resolute Energy Corp. (NYSE: REN), Regional Management Corp. (NYSE: RM) and J.G. Wentworth Co. (NYSE: JGW).

It is a positive sign to see 10% owners in oil stocks starting to add to positions. We will be tracking this sector closely for insider buying.

ALSO READ: Insider Selling Light as Stock Market Continues 2015 Slide

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About the Author Lee Jackson →

Lee Jackson has covered Wall Street analysts' equity and debt research and equity strategy daily for 24/7 Wall St. since 2012. His broad and diverse career, which included a stint as the creative services director at the NBC affiliate in Austin, Texas, gives him unique insight into the financial industry and world.

Lee Jackson's journey in the financial industry spans over 30 years, with nearly two decades as an institutional equity salesperson at Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, and Morgan Stanley. His career was marked by his presence on the sell side during pivotal Wall Street events, from the dot.com rise and bubble to the Long Term Capital Management debacle, 9/11, and the Great Recession of 2008. This is a testament to his resilience and adaptability in the face of market volatility.

Lee Jackson’s practical financial industry experience, acquired from a career at some of the biggest banks and brokerage firms, is complemented by a lifetime of writing on various platforms. This unique combination allows him to shed light on the intricacies and workings of Wall Street in a way that only someone with deep insider experience and knowledge can. Moreover, his extensive network across Wall Street continues to provide direct access for him and 24/7 Wall St., a privilege few firms enjoy.

Since 2012, Jackson’s work for 24/7 Wall St. has been featured in Barron’s, Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch, Business Insider, TradingView, Real Money, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Benzinga, and other media outlets. He attended the prestigious Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and has a degree in broadcasting from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts.

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