Institution: US corporate executives selling stocks at near record pace

Odaily Odaily News US corporate executives are selling stocks at the second fastest pace in over 20 years. For some investors, this is a typical warning signal, as it implies that those most familiar with corporate operations are cautious about the current market. According to data from EPFR Global Market Intelligence, insiders at US companies sold a total of $77.6 billion worth of stock in the first half of 2026, an increase of 20% year-on-year.

In the past two decades, only the sell-off in 2021 was larger, a period when the market was fueled by massive pandemic-era stimulus funds. EPFR analysts, including Winston Chua, wrote in a report: "The trading behavior of insiders indicates that at current valuation levels, corporate executives have no strong inclination to increase their stock holdings."

Additionally, insider buying activity remains sluggish. In the first half of 2026, they purchased only $6.9 billion worth of company stock, only slightly above the seven-year low of $6.7 billion recorded in the same period last year. (Golden Ten)