Zacks.com featured highlights include GameStop, MicroStrategy and Applied Materials
Chicago, IL – April 14, 2025 – Stocks in this week's article are — GameStop GME, MicroStrategy MSTR and Applied Materials AMAT.
Investors closely monitor insider buys, as they can give hints surrounding the long-term picture.
But it's critical to note that insiders have a longer holding period than most, and many strict rules apply to their transactions.
Recently, CEOs of several companies – GameStop, MicroStrategy and Applied Materials – have made splashes, acquiring shares. Let's take a closer look at the transactions for those interested in trading like the insiders.
Most investors are familiar with GameStop thanks to the 'meme stock' mania a few years back, with the company reflecting the poster child of the bunch overall. Though shares are down nearly 20% year-to-date, CEO Ryan Cohen recently stepped in and purchased 500k shares at a total transaction value of roughly $10.7 million.
GameStop currently sports a bullish Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), with its earnings outlook shifting notably bright over recent months.
Though the EPS outlook remains bullish, the company's top line has struggled to show any growth over recent years.
MicroStrategy shares have become notably popular amid the surge in bitcoin over the past year, up nearly 80% and widely outperforming relative to the S&P 500. CEO Phong Le recently swooped in and acquired 6k MSTR shares at a total transaction value of roughly $510k.
Investors should be aware of the high-volatility nature of MSTR shares, which are largely dictated by price swings within BTC.
Applied Materials provides manufacturing equipment, services, and software to the semiconductor, display, and related industries. CEO Gary Dickerson recently purchased 50k AMAT shares at a total transaction value of just under $7 million.
AMAT shares have faced a tough environment in 2025 amid the cooldown in semiconductors, down nearly 15% and underperforming relative to the S&P 500.
Many investors closely monitor insider buys, looking to receive insights into the longer-term picture. The transactions shouldn't be relied on for near-term performance, as insiders' holding periods are longer than most, and many strict rules apply.
Rather, investors can see insider buys as an overall net positive concerning the longer-term outlook.
All large-cap stocks above have seen recent insider activity.
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For the rest of this Screen of the Week article please visit Zacks.com at: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2445022/insider-trading-3-ceos-recently-buying-shares?art_rec=quote-stock_overview-zacks_news-ID02-txt-2445022
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Contact: Jim Giaquinto
Company: Zacks.com
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Email: pr@zacks.com
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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MicroStrategy Incorporated (MSTR) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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