Galectin Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:GALT) was trading 0.5% higher from the previous closing price. Freeman Kevin D filed a Form 4 with the SEC on Tuesday, April 6. The insider bought 5,000 shares at an average price of $2.04. After the transaction, the executive’s stake in Galectin Therapeutics Inc. moved to 30,000 shares.
The Importance of Insider Transactions
While transactions from an insider shouldn’t be used as the sole item to make an investment or trading decision, an insider buying or selling stock in their company can be a good added factor that leads to more conviction in a decision.
Insiders buying stock after a notable sell off can indicate an insider’s long-term belief in the success of the company; insiders buying stock at new highs can be an indication the exec doesn’t feel the stock is overvalued. Conversely, insiders who are selling stock at new lows can potentially indicate some kind of capitulation moment. Insiders selling at new highs can indicate that exec wants to “take some profit” and “lock in a gain.”
Transaction Codes To Focus On
Investors prefer focusing on transactions which take place in the open market, indicated in the Form 4 with codes P for purchase and S for sale. An open-market transaction means the insider went into the market of their own volition and made an active decision about the potential path for a company and its stock moving forward.
Transaction codes other than P or S are often viewed with less conviction as they are often not tied to a decision by the exec. As an example, transaction code C indicates the conversion of an option. Transaction code A indicates the insider may have been forced to sell shares in order to receive compensation the exec was promised upon being hired by a company.
