Gather Transaction Details
Start by collecting key information from the Form 4 filing: insider name and title, transaction type (buy/sell), number of shares, price per share, transaction date, and total holdings after the transaction. Trabud displays all this data in an easy-to-read format.
Evaluate the Insider
Research the insider's background and track record. Is this a CEO, CFO, or board member? What is their history of trading company stock? Have their previous purchases preceded stock gains? Consider their role and how much insight they likely have into the company's operations.
Assess Transaction Significance
Determine how meaningful the transaction is. Calculate the dollar value and compare it to the insider's total compensation. A $100,000 purchase is more significant if it represents 50% of their stock holdings than if it's only 1%. Look at whether the purchase is outside their normal trading pattern.
Significance Checklist
- $Dollar Value: Is it a meaningful amount (typically $50K+)?
- %Percentage of Holdings: Does it significantly increase their stake?
- !Out of Pattern: Is this unusual behavior for this insider?
- @Price Level: Are they buying near lows or selling at highs?
Look for Patterns
Check if other insiders are trading in the same direction. Cluster buying - multiple insiders purchasing around the same time - is often a stronger signal than isolated trades. Also look at the company's historical insider trading patterns.
Search for Insider Patterns
Use Trabud's screener to filter transactions by company, date range, and transaction type to spot buying clusters.
Open ScreenerConsider Context
Research what else is happening with the company. Are there upcoming earnings, product launches, or strategic changes? Has the stock recently declined (making it cheaper for insiders to buy)? Context helps you interpret whether insider activity is meaningful or routine.
Bullish Context
- Stock has recently declined
- No negative news on the horizon
- Multiple insiders buying
- Large dollar amounts
Cautionary Context
- Routine compensation-related
- Part of a 10b5-1 plan
- Small relative position
- Insider's poor track record
Integrate into Your Analysis
Use insider trading data as one input in your investment research, not as a standalone signal. Combine it with fundamental analysis, valuation metrics, industry trends, and technical indicators to make informed decisions.
Key Metrics to Analyze
| Metric | What It Tells You | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction Value | Level of conviction | Large purchases ($100K+) are more meaningful |
| % of Holdings | Relative significance | Meaningful increase in stake (10%+) |
| Insider Rank | Information quality | CEO/CFO trades carry more weight |
| Cluster Activity | Consensus view | 3+ insiders buying in 30 days |
| Timing | Opportunism | Buying after stock drops, selling at highs |
Important Caveats
- Insider trading is not a crystal ball. Insiders can be wrong about their company's prospects, and stocks can decline even after significant insider buying.
- Selling is less meaningful. Insiders sell for many non-investment reasons: diversification, taxes, estate planning, personal expenses. Don't read too much into routine selling.
- Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Even insiders with good track records can make poor timing decisions.
- Always do your own research. Use insider trading data as one input, not the sole basis for investment decisions.