Avient Exec Moh Woon Keat Trims and Buys Shares Amid SAR Exit, Hinting at Tactical Confidence in Polymer Growth【News Flash】

Insider Activity Spotlight: Avient Corp. and Moh Woon Keat’s Recent Trades

Avient Corp. has entered a period of heightened insider activity, highlighted by SVP President CAI Moh Woon Keat’s January 20 transaction. Keat purchased 1,870 shares at $24.98, bringing his holdings to 14,425 shares, while simultaneously selling 1,618 shares at $35.62, reducing his stake to 12,807. In addition, he exercised and sold 1,870 stock‑appreciation rights (SARs) that have now fully vested. The net effect is a modest net purchase of 252 shares, suggesting Keat remains bullish on Avient despite a modest 0.01 % uptick in the stock price.

What the Numbers Tell Investors

Keat’s trade occurred when Avient’s closing price was $36.86, a modest 3.75 % rise over the prior week and 19.79 % above the January 10 close. The company’s P/E of 29.01 indicates a valuation on the higher side of the materials sector, yet the recent 52‑week low of $27.48 still leaves a 30 % upside potential if the firm’s chemistry‑focused growth strategy continues to deliver. Keat’s simultaneous buy and sell suggest a tactical balancing of exposure, perhaps to lock in gains while maintaining a long‑term position. His SARs vesting could be a sign of confidence in a near‑term rally, as SARs typically mirror the company’s share price appreciation.

Broader Insider Trends

Avient’s insider landscape has been active in September 2025, with several senior executives (e.g., Rizzo Aniello, Wulfsohn William A, Verduin Patricia) adding restricted stock units and common shares. These purchases reflect a broader confidence among Avient leadership that the company’s polymer and specialty resin business will rebound. The 2026 filing shows Keat’s sale of SARs, a move that could indicate an expectation of a short‑term price plateau or a desire to diversify holdings.

Implications for Investors

• Signal of Management Confidence: Keat’s net purchase, combined with recent buys by other senior executives, signals ongoing confidence in Avient’s strategic direction.
• Potential for Volatility: The sale of SARs and the 0.01 % price change suggest short‑term volatility may be limited, but the 52‑week low still leaves room for downside risk if demand for thermoplastics wanes.
• Valuation Considerations: The P/E of 29.01 is comfortably above the materials sector average, implying that the market is pricing in growth. Investors should weigh this premium against the company’s historical earnings volatility.

Conclusion

While Keat’s trade may appear modest in isolation, it is part of a broader pattern of insider purchases that could bode well for Avient’s long‑term prospects. Investors should monitor the company’s quarterly earnings for signs of polymer demand recovery and assess whether the current valuation premium aligns with future earnings potential.