Important Points
- Insiders were active in Q1, but insider buying is not enough to warrant an investor buying; due diligence.
- Institutional and analyst trends are better indicators of the stock price index.
- Each stock on this list has a catalyst to drive it higher, and risks to limit the opportunity.
Insiders were buying the stock in Q1 2026, reflecting confidence in their businesses and outlook for the rest of the year. The question for investors is whether Q2 is a good time to buy, sell, or hold these stocks—and the answer depends on whether other market vectors support them and how they fit into the portfolio.
EW Scripps: Most Bought by Insiders in Q1 2026
EW Scripps (NASDAQ: SSP ) had it very internal shopping of q1. InsiderTrades tracked 34 purchases by 16 insiders, including multi-family owners who run multiple businesses. Their joint effort shows confidence in a multi-year turnaround effort aimed at culminating in 2028 EBITDA growth. Efforts include a strengthened focus on media distribution and portfolio optimization, with underperforming assets divested and replaced with more efficient media assets, thereby improving coverage and cost ratios.
Institutions are also buying this stock. They provide a strong base of support, owning nearly 70% of the stock and buying in Q1. The bad thing is that the commentators have not gone into this issue. While installs are up, ratings reviews are mixed, with sentiment pointing to Reduce. The offset is that the price target remains firm, even the lower end of the range offers upside. Catalysts this year include mid-term election spending, margin improvement, cash flow, and debt reduction.
WR Berkley Collected in 2026
WR Berkley (NYSE: WRB ) insiders have been working, doing 37 purchase of stock of q1. However, only one insider received stock: the largest shareholder, Japan’s Sumitomo Insurance Company. Sumitomo is a leading global property insurer, looking to expand its reach into the US market. The goal is to own 15% of WRB stock and use it for growth. As it stands, including Q1 activity, insiders own about 25% of the stock.
Institutions and analysts also support WRB stock in 2026. Institutions own about 70% of the company, including Sumitomo, and are accumulating power. InsiderTrades data shows that they bought at a $4-to-$1 pace in Q1, providing strong support and reducing downside risk. Analysts are less enthusiastic, rating the stock as Hold, but coverage is high, sentiment is strong, and residuals are possible.
Service Property Trust Insiders Buy in Bulk
Service Property Trust (NASDAQ: SVC) insiders are ranked high in terms of share price. Three insiders bought nearly 42 million shares, especially director Adam D. Portnoy, bringing their value to about 1.5%. The acquisition is small in the grand scheme of things, but it shows confidence in the company and the value it presents in 2026. Service Property Trust is a service channel and hotel-focused REIT operating three-fold, with a portfolio of premium brands.
Institutions and analysts like SVC stock equity in 2026. Institutions, which own 84% of shares, are also buying, and analysts who rate Hold see a strength of about 50%. Catalysts this year include restructuring, asset sales, and debt reduction. Travel trends may also be a driver, as improved demand may lead to outperformance as the year progresses.
Insider Puts Down on Coupang Stock
Coupang (NYSE: CPNG ) is a South Korean e-commerce stock one insider who benefits shares in three transactions. The job helped put the bottom in the market, but April’s early technology is not encouraging. If anything, this stock is set to continue its decline and may reach a new low in the mid-year. The main obstacle is the data breach affecting millions of consumers, nearly half of South Korea’s population, and the impact it will have on business.
Institutions receive stock. They own about 85%, have bought the balance for more than six quarters in a row and increase activity in Q1 2026. Analyst trends are also favorable, with 11 rating as Hold and 40% consensus forecast. Catalysts include international expansion, AI efficiency, and post-attack recovery efforts.
Korro Bio’s Broad-Based Purchasing and Retail Support
Korro Bio (NASDAQ: KRRO ) stands out as a stock with broad based internal support. InsiderTrades data reveals purchases by more than a dozen insiders and major shareholders in Q1. They own about 4.6% of the shares, and institutions and analysts also support them. Small institutional stocks account for about 13% of the stock, as of early April, but are accumulating the balance. Analysts are very bullish, with 11 rating it as a moderate buy consensus and predicting 150% upside.
Catalysts include the development of gene editing therapies following major rearrangements. The company has enough cash for 2028, but needs to sell its technology then. Certain catalysts include the introduction of regulations and testing programs for candidate treatments.
Companies in this article:
| Company | Current Price | Price Changes | Dividend Yield | The P/E ratio | Consensus ratio | Consensus Price Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koro Bio (KRRO) | $13.46 | -3.2% | N/A | -1.08 | Buy Medium | $37.29 |
| Coupang (CPNG) | $19.72 | +2.7% | N/A | 164.32 | Hold on | $26.70 |
| Service Properties Trust (SVC) | $1.29 | +1.6% | 3.10% | -1.07 | Hold on | $2.00 |
| WR Berkley (WRB) | $67.15 | +0.7% | 0.54% | 15.09 | Hold on | $68.94 |
| EW Scripts (SSP) | $3.97 | +4.2% | N/A | -2.12 | Reduce | $6.95 |
Experience
Thomas Hughes has been a contributing writer for InsiderTrades.com since 2019.
- Professional Background: Thomas Hughes is the Managing Partner of Passive Market Intelligence LLC, a market research platform he founded in 2023 with the motto: “We watch the market so you don’t.” He has worked as a blogger, stock market analyst, and independent analyst since 2010 and has been involved in trading and investing since 2005.
- Confirmation: He has an Associate of Arts in Culinary Technology-training that has enhanced his discipline, attention to detail, and ability to anticipate results, all of which continue in his work as a market analyst.
- Financial Experience: Thomas has been writing about finance and investing since 2011, when he discovered it could be more than a personal passion—it could be a career. He has been a contributing writer for InsiderTrades.com since 2019.
- Writing Focus: He specializes in the S&P 500, small-cap stocks, high-yield diversification strategies, consumer staples, retail, technology, oil, and equities. His analysis combines chart-based technical setups with key fundamentals, helping readers identify potential trends.
- How to Invest: Thomas takes a hybrid approach that combines technical analysis with in-depth fundamental research. He often writes about macroeconomic shifts, wage trends, and sentiment-based trading signals.
- Motivation: Thomas became interested in stocks after attending a seminar on buying and selling your own stocks. That experience opened his eyes to the power of the market and sparked a lifelong interest in investing.
- Fun fact: Thomas picked up a model railroad by accident a few years ago—and now he can’t stop using the railroad.
- Areas of Expertise: Technical and fundamental analysis, S&P 500, retail and consumer sectors, equities, market trends
Education
Associate of Arts in Culinary Technology
