Key Points
- Amazon is the best-selling stock of 2024 based on the number of shares traded and their price, but investors shouldn’t worry.
- Meta Platforms is the most traded stock by number of transactions (185): here’s why.
- Intuitive Surgical is the most traded by the number of insider sales, with nearly a dozen, but share prices are rising due to its leadership position.
Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG) are the most traded stocks by insiders in 2024, but investors should buy them all. Although they are not closely related to each other, they are all revolutionary technologies that have had a lasting impact on everyday life. The effect has taken root in global society and continues to change the way we live today. This will continue into the future, continually increasing shareholder value. Other unifying factors include the use and development of artificial intelligence, which spans from infrastructure fundamentals to cutting-edge applications. This factor ensures that their leadership position remains intact in the long term.
Stock-based compensation is why these stocks sell the most
Stock-based compensation is a major factor in why these stocks are the most traded. All three companies use stock-based compensation, which encourages insider selling driven by rising stock prices. Shares of all three companies are up more than 100% over the past eighteen months, led by a 500% rise in Meta Platforms.
Meta Platforms insiders will likely continue to sell shares at current prices, with higher prices expected. Results for 2024 were strong, demonstrating the impact of investments and the effectiveness of AI on user metrics and internal operations. This prompted analysts to raise their price targets and become the market leader. The revision trend suggests a move above $800 is possible in 2025, which is 35% above the January 1, 2025 opening price.
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Meta Platforms is the most traded stock by insiders. In 2024, ten insiders sold 185 times, including multiple sales of CEO Mark Zuckerburg, COO, CEO, CFO, COO and CTO. Despite this, they and other large insiders still own over 13% of the shares and provide a strong base of support. Institutions also provide support. Institutional activity is mixed but generally bullish on a quarterly basis in 2024, and bullish in the fourth quarter, supporting a move to new highs. Early reports for 2025 are also optimistic, with several private equity managers increasing their holdings.
Amazon is the most traded in terms of shares and dollar value
Amazon was the most traded stock of 2024, with more than 44.4 million shares traded, valued at nearly $8 billion. InsiderTrades.com tracked 52 sales by 11 insiders, including founder Jeff Bezos, CEO Andrew Jassy, segment executives and board members likely to continue selling in 2025. Despite the activity, the group still owns more than 10% of the company. , and their sales didn’t raise any red flags.
Institutional activity more than offsets Amazon’s insider selling. Institutions made balance sheet purchases every quarter of 2024, and activity remained stable through the end of the year. Early reports indicate that institutions will continue to buy in 2025, with positions among numerous public and private wealth managers increasing significantly. Analyst activity follows this trend, including ongoing revisions to more than 40 stocks. They forecast moderate buying for the stock and forecast it will rise another 20% in 2025.
Intuitive Surgical Equipment – Intuitively a Good Buy
Intuitive Surgical is a leading medical technology company and a leading healthcare company offering robotic surgical devices. Da Vinci is in demand: the number of placements and reward procedures is steadily growing quarterly and year after year. Among the important details is the company’s regular income, which is tied to the volume of procedures and supplies. The use of artificial intelligence is focused on assisting operations and procedures, including remotely controlled procedures.
Cash flow is also important. The company’s robust cash flow allows it to maintain an impeccable balance sheet while investing in growth and research and development. Highlights include net cash position relative to total liabilities, cash equal to 4 times liabilities, and growing capital. Shareholders’ equity grew 17% in 2024 and is likely to increase by another double digit in 2025.
In terms of insider sales, Intuitive Surgical is the top-traded stock by number of insider sales. InsiderTrades tracks 57 sales by 16 insiders, including the CEO, CFO, and several executive vice presidents and senior vice presidents. They still own about 1% of the shares, and this small amount is compounded by institutions. Institutions bought these shares every quarter of 2024 and the first three days of 2025.
Companies in this article:
| Company | Current price | Price change | Dividend yield | P/E ratio | Consensus rating | Consensus target price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intuitive Surgery (ISRG) | $534.82 | +2.1% | N/A | 85.98 | Moderate purchase | $554.17 |
| Metaplatforms (META) | $603.86 | +0.8% | 0.33% | 28.44 | Moderate purchase | $642.88 |
| Amazon.com (AMZN) | $223.75 | +1.6% | 0.09% | 47.91 | Moderate purchase | $243.44 |
Experience
Thomas Hughes has been a writer for InsiderTrades.com since 2019.
Areas of Specialization
Technical analysis, S&P 500; retail, consumer, consumer staples, dividends, high yield, small cap, technology, economic data, oil, cryptocurrencies
Education
Associate in Culinary Technology
Past experience
Market watcher, trader and investor of numerous websites. Founded Passive Market Intelligence LLC to provide market research analytics.