U.S. corporate insiders sell stocks at the second-fastest pace in over 20 years

Huo Xing Cai Jing reports that on July 17, U.S. corporate executives are selling shares at the second-fastest pace in over 20 years. For some investors, this is a classic warning sign, indicating that those with the deepest insight into corporate operations are adopting a cautious stance toward the current market. According to data from EPFR Global Market Intelligence, U.S. insiders sold a total of $77.6 billion in shares during the first half of 2026, a 20% increase compared to the same period last year. Over the past two decades, only in 2021 were share sales larger, when markets were fueled by massive pandemic-era stimulus. In their report, EPFR analysts including Winston Chua wrote: “Insider trading activity suggests that corporate executives have little appetite to increase their equity holdings at current valuation levels.” Additionally, insider buying remains weak. In the first half of 2026, insiders purchased only $6.9 billion in company stock, slightly above the seven-year low of $6.7 billion recorded in the same period last year. (Jin Shi)