Investing

Insider Selling Very Light as Topsy-Turvy Market Slows

One way to tell that summer is upon us is to take a look at the volumes that are generated in the market. While there was a flurry on the close Friday as the Russell Indexes reconstituted, all in all we are starting to set into the predictable slower summer trading pattern.

We cover insider selling every week at 24/7 Wall St., and we like to always remind our readers that just because an individual or 10% institutional owner is selling stock, that is no cause for immediate alarm. Many top executives, and even directors, are compensated with stock and often sell just to diversify or purchase other assets.

Here are the companies that reported notable insider selling this past week.

Dealertrack Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: TRAK) had a director of the company and the chief executive selling stock last week. The two combined to sell 73,448 shares at prices that ranged from $62.88 to $62.95 per share. The total for the sale came to $4.6 million. Dealertrack Technologies provides Web-based software solutions and services to the automotive retail industry in the United States and Canada. The stock was trading on Friday’s close at $62.82.

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Hormel Foods Corp. (NYSE: HRL) had a vice president at the company selling stock last week. That executive parted with a total of 59,389 shares of the stock at $57.22 apiece. The total of the sale came to $3.4 million. Hormel Foods produces and markets various meat and food products worldwide. The stock closed trading on Friday at $57.72.

American Woodmark Corp. (NASDAQ: AMWD) had a 10% owner part with some shares of the company this past week. William Brandt sold 40,091 shares at a share price of $57.01. The total for the sale came to $2.3 million. American Woodmark manufactures and distributes kitchen cabinets and vanities for the remodeling and home construction markets in the United States. The shares ended trading on Friday at $55.73, so a well-timed trade.

Calavo Growers Inc. (NASDAQ: CVGW) had the CEO of the company sell some shares of the stock this past week. Lecil Cole shed a total of 44,527 shares at prices that ranged from $54.02 to $54.11. The sale netted him $2.4 million. Calavo Growers markets and distributes avocados, prepared avocados and other perishable foods to food distributors, produce wholesalers, supermarkets, convenience stores and restaurants worldwide. The shares ended the week at $53.16.

Incredibly, this week’s volume was just about the lightest that we have seen this year. Again, with the combination of the slow summer season, the end of the quarter and the second-quarter earnings season right around the corner, you have all the ingredients for a yawner.

ALSO READ: 4 Unloved Mega-Cap Stocks to Buy Now

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