At 10 a.m. Berlin time, I check what moved in the U.S. markets overnight. Today, I see something rare: 28 tech executives are buying their own stock — more than ever recorded.
That sounds technical. Let me tell you what it actually means.
The Story Behind It
When a CEO buys their own company's stock, they're using their own money. Not a bonus, not a PR stunt — they believe the stock is cheap today and will rise soon.
That's happening at record pace right now. 28 executives from major tech firms (including Micron, Nvidia, Apple, Broadcom, and others in the XLK tech ETF) have bought their own shares in the last 6 months. That's the highest level since 2010. At the start of 2026, it was just 5. Now it's 28. That's a four-fold increase in months.
For context: The previous record was 25 insider buys in 2011 — right before tech stocks launched a massive rally.
Why This Matters to You
Why are CEOs buying now? The answer is simple: Tech stocks fell over the summer. Many dropped significantly from their May highs or stagnated. The broader market is cautious, some sold. But those who know the business from inside are buying.
I often tell my daughter Lena: "When everyone's scared, the pros look closer." That's exactly what's happening. CEOs see something in their internal numbers that the market doesn't yet — stable demand, future orders, new products.
For you as a beginner: Insider buying isn't a buy signal for tomorrow. But it shows that the people running the company are optimistic long-term. That's a better signal than any analyst report, because these people are risking their own money.
How Pros React
Experienced investors watch insider buying closely. If one CEO buys, it's interesting. If many CEOs buy at once, it's a pattern. And patterns often mean: the market missed something.
The logic: Who would know better if a stock is undervalued than the person running the company? Nobody.
Pros use this as one of many data points. They don't buy blindly, but they look closer. And when insiders buy heavily while prices fall, that's a sign of confidence.
First Steps for Beginners
You don't need to buy tech stocks immediately just because 28 CEOs are. But you can learn something important:
Insider buying is public. Every executive must report their buys and sells (SEC Form 4 in the U.S., Directors' Dealings in Europe). This information is freely available on sites like OpenInsider, Fintel, or Quiver Quantitative.
If you're watching a stock, check: Are insiders buying now? Or selling heavily? That gives you a behind-the-scenes view.
Remember: Insider selling isn't automatically bad — CEOs often sell for personal reasons (buying a house, paying taxes). But insider buying almost always has one reason: confidence in the future.
If you're just starting out, remember this: The best opportunities often come when others are scared. And when CEOs buy while the market doubts, you should at least look closer.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Past performance is not an indicator of future results.