E18. The Insider Signal Many Investors Overlook: Cessations of Selling

The old rule — "selling bad, buying good" — misses a lot today. Insider behavior now includes plan-driven sales, comp mechanics, shifting blackout policies, and more. For example, one insider signal isn't a buy or a sell at all, but a pause in selling.

Key questions that emerge:

·       How do you find positive signals at companies where insiders never buy stock?

·       What does it mean when executives who sell millions regularly suddenly stop?

In this episode, Ben Silverman and Senior Analyst Max Magee examine the "cessation selling" phenomenon through 3 key examples:

·       Microsoft: First pause in insider selling since 2004 — stock up 40% since the signal.

·       Expedia: Five-year selling streak ends at $150/share — stock rebounds to $225.

·       Tableau Software: Co-founders cancel $35-50 million sale plans — company acquired months later at premium.

Edited, mixed, and scored by Calvin Marty.

Creators and Guests

Host

Ben Silverman

Ben oversees research for VerityData. He is a trusted resource for publications like Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, and Financial Times.

What is Differentiated With Ben Silverman?

Veteran investment research analysts dive into insider data and demystify the signals that drive one-of-a-kind investment ideas.