Institution: U.S. corporate executives are selling stocks at near-record speeds

Odaily Planet Daily News U.S. corporate executives are selling stocks at the second-fastest pace in over 20 years. For some investors, this is a classic warning signal, as it indicates that those most familiar with business operations hold a cautious view of the current market. According to data from EPFR Global Market Intelligence, in the first half of 2026, U.S. corporate insiders sold a total of $77.6 billion worth of stocks, a 20% increase compared to the same period last year.

Over the past 20 years, 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 suggests 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 stocks, just slightly above the $6.7 billion recorded in the same period last year, which was the lowest level in seven years. (Jin Shi)