Gigantic Biotech Trade Highlights Insider Buying: Seattle Genetics, Bank of New York Mellon, Prospect Capital and More

Maybe, just maybe, investors are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s not the selling train that has run shareholders over since the start of 2016. Despite a slew of bearish voices howling that recession is all but here, the markets finally firmed some and the indexes lifted this week. One thing is for sure, the insiders were very busy buying stock this past week.

We cover insider buying every week at 24/7 Wall St., and we like to remind our 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 still remains a positive indicator.

Here are some of the companies that reported notable insider buying this past week.

Seattle Genetics Inc. (NASDAQ: SGEN) saw one of the biggest biopharmaceutical funds buying more shares of the stock this past week. The Baker Brothers added a total of 1,001,471 shares of the company at prices that fell between $29.20 and $30.21. The total for the buy was a very impressive $30 million. Seattle Genetics is a biotechnology company that develops and commercializes antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer. The stock closed Friday at $31.01.

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (NYSE: BK) had a 10% owner of the company buying more shares this week. Trian Partners scooped up a total of 891,190 shares of the company at $35.10 per share. The total for the buy came to a robust $31 million. Bank of New York Mellon, an investment company, provides financial products and services to institutions, corporations and high net worth individuals in the United States and internationally. The stock closed Friday at $36.12.
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Prospect Capital Corp. (NASDAQ: PSEC) saw heavy buying again this week from top C suite executives. The chief executive and the chief operating officer were again purchasing shares of the business development company on a big scale. They added some 1,124,000 shares at prices between $6.69 and $6.71. That cost them a smooth $8 million. Later in the week they bought 1,129,700 shares at $6.79 to $6.83 per share, for another $8 million. Also, a director at the company bought 1,114,000 shares at $6.77 apiece, which also totaled $8 million. Shares ended the week at $7.02. These executives have been buying shares at a frantic place for months.

Restaurant Brands International (NYSE: QSR) had a director of the company dining on shares this past week. That director bought at total of 78,125 shares of the company at $32.77 apiece. The total for the buy came in right at $3 million. This company owns and operates quick service restaurants under the Burger King and Tim Horton’s brand names. As of February 16, 2016, it franchised or owned approximately 19,000 restaurants in approximately 100 countries and U.S. territories worldwide. The shares closed Friday at $33.67, so a well-timed purchase, it appears.

Blackbaud Inc. (NASDAQ: BLKB) is another company with a director buying shares last week. That director purchased a total of 60,644 shares of the company at prices that ranged from $54.35 to $56.88. The total for the buy came in at $3.5 million. Blackbaud provides software solutions and related services for nonprofit, charitable giving and education communities worldwide. The stock closed on Friday at $56.64.

These companies also reported insider buying this past week: Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC), Boot Barn Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BOOT), CBRE Group Inc. (NYSE: CBG), Jones Lang LaSalle Corp. (NYSE: JLL) and Taylor Morrison Home Corp. (NYSE: TMHC).

Insider buying has been very strong into the stock market weakness since 2016 started, and this week was no different. The steady buying into elevated volatility remains a positive sign for investors.