Investing

Buffett and Top Hedge Funds Continue Massive Insider Buying: Phillips 66, Advanced Auto Parts, Lands' End, Valeant Pharmaceuticals and More

Lee Jackson

Published: June 19, 2016 10:05 am

Last Updated: January 13, 2020 6:38 am

With summer literally upon us, it looks like the usual low volume, sleepy trading days may not be the norm this year. With the Brexit vote in England, worries over currency in Japan and elsewhere in Asia, political rhetoric at a fever pitch, and loads of other headline items, the volatility may be pushed much higher than usual. With the S&P 500 not able to break out to new highs on volume, some see the potential for a meaningful sell-off.

One thing is for sure, the insiders continue to buy stock, and the volume dwarfed the sellers last week.

We cover insider buying each and 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 an overall positive indicator.

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

Phillips 66

A big-time buyer of Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) was at the desk once again this past week, and just like in all of 2016 the share count is huge. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, which is now a 10% owner of the company, was busy buying 769,460 shares of the company at prices between $79.64 and $80.52 apiece. The total for the trade came to $61 million.

Phillips 66 operates as an energy manufacturing and logistics company via four segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties. The stock traded on Friday’s close at $78.50.

Advance Auto Parts

For the third time in the past month, Advance Auto Parts Inc. (NYSE: AAP) hits our screens. Hedge fund Starboard Value bought 397,624 shares of the stock at prices that ranged from $153.64 to $156.49 per share. The total for the trade came in at an impressive $61 million.

The company through its subsidiaries, engages in the automotive replacement parts, accessories, batteries and maintenance items for domestic and imported cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, and light and heavy duty trucks. The stock traded on Friday’s close at $154.55.

Lands’ End

Another well-known investor was buying Lands’ End Inc. (NASDAQ: LE) shares last week. Edward Lampert picked up 292,403 shares of the company at prices between $15.71 to $16.01 apiece. The total for the buy was posted at $8 million.

The company operates as a multi-channel retailer, operating through two segments: Direct and Retail. It offers casual clothing, accessories, footwear and home products. It sells its products through its websites, direct mail catalogs, dedicated Lands’ End Shops at Sears, stand-alone Lands’ End Inlet stores and international shop-in-shops. The share price ended last week at $16.39.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals

Over the past year, Valeant Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NYSE: VRX) stock has been crushed, and the new man at the top bought a sizable position last week. CEO Joseph Papa, who recently joined the troubled company, bought a block of 202,000 shares at $24.48 per share. The trade cost him about $5 million.

The company develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products and medical devices worldwide. Shares closed trading at $22.or on Friday.

Public Storage

A director at the self-storage giant Public Storage (NYSE: PSA) was buying shares of the company this past week. That director purchased a total of 22,100 shares of the stock at prices that ranged from $251.17 and 253.79. The total for the buy was posted at $6 million.

Public Storage is an equity real estate investment trust that engages in the acquisition, development, ownership and operation of self-storage facilities in the United States and Europe. Its shares closed on Friday at $241.34.

And More

These companies also reported insider buying this past week: Amicus Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: FOLD), Biglari Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BH), Impac Mortgage Holdings Inc. (NYSE: IMH), Medicines Co. (NASDAQ: MDCO) and Movado Group Inc. (NYSE: MOV).

Despite the volatility in the markets, insiders continue to buy shares, and that’s a positive for investors. With second-quarter earnings right around the corner, you can bet many of the corporate executives and 10% owners are looking to add shares before trading windows close.