In a striking display of confidence, the CEOs of Moderna (MSTR), Akamai Technologies (AKAM), and FMC Corporation (FMC) have made significant stock purchases, reinforcing their belief in their respective companies despite recent market struggles.
CEOs Buying the Dip Amid Market Pressure
The three companies operate in vastly different industries—biotech, cloud computing, and agricultural sciences—but share one common thread: their stocks have significantly underperformed. In 2024, while the S&P 500 surged 23%, Moderna tumbled 58%, Akamai slid 19%, and FMC fell 23%. The downward trend has continued in 2025, with Moderna already down 14%, Akamai dropping 8.5%, and FMC slipping another 15%.
Corporate leaders have several strategies to instill investor confidence, such as raising earnings guidance or initiating stock buybacks. However, one of the most powerful signals comes from insider purchases, especially from the top executives who know their companies best.
Moderna CEO’s First-Ever Open Market Purchase
Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel sent shockwaves through the market on March 5 when he purchased $5 million worth of stock, acquiring 160,314 shares at an average price of $31.22 each. This purchase was made through his investment vehicle, Boston Biotech Ventures, which now owns 9.2 million Moderna shares. Bancel also holds 5.5 million shares in his personal account and 6.6 million through another investment entity, OCHA.
What makes this move particularly significant is that it marks Bancel’s first-ever open-market purchase of Moderna stock since joining the company in 2011. Until February 2024, he had been consistently selling shares, making this investment a strong signal of confidence in Moderna’s future despite waning demand for COVID-19 vaccines.
Akamai CEO Bets Big on Cloud Security
Akamai CEO Tom Leighton followed suit, purchasing $3 million worth of Akamai stock on February 27, acquiring 37,670 shares at an average price of $79.58. Leighton’s move came after the company’s stock declined following disappointing earnings guidance.
Expressing his optimism, Leighton stated, “Akamai is in the midst of a multiyear transformation, and I am very excited about our future. Our security products and Cloud Infrastructure Services are just starting to take off.”
He highlighted the company’s $100 billion addressable market and the forecasted 40%-45% growth in its cloud segment, emphasizing that Akamai’s differentiated cloud offering is poised for long-term success.
Notably, this is not Leighton’s first major investment in Akamai. In May 2024, he had purchased $2 million worth of shares at an average price of $92.68.
FMC CEO’s First Buy in 15 Years
FMC Corporation CEO Pierre R. Brondeau made headlines with a $1.9 million investment on March 4, buying 54,000 shares at an average price of $35.90. His purchase came after FMC stock plummeted in early February following a disappointing outlook.
Brondeau reinforced his bullish stance by stating, “My recent purchase reflects my personal confidence in our company’s strategy and future. The current share price presented a compelling opportunity to increase my investment in FMC.”
This purchase is particularly noteworthy because it marks Brondeau’s first open-market stock acquisition in over 15 years. The last time he bought FMC shares was in February 2010, when he invested $1 million at an average price of $53.71 per share.
Insider Purchases: A Strong Market Signal
Insider buying, especially from top executives, is often viewed as a strong indicator that a stock is undervalued. As these CEOs place significant personal bets on their companies, investors may find renewed interest in these embattled stocks.
While the market remains volatile, these insider moves underscore the confidence that industry leaders have in their long-term growth prospects.
