BARK Inc. Insider Sales Surge Amid Take‑Over Talks: COO, CRO Liquidate Shares as Stock Climbs 34% in a Week

Insider Selling in a Volatile Period

Black Michael Scott, BARK’s Chief Revenue Officer, sold 3,662 shares on January 10, 2026, at a price of $0.62 per share. The transaction was not an open‑market sale but a settlement of a restricted‑stock‑unit (RSU) vesting event, leaving Scott with 1,321,088 shares post‑transaction. While the sale price is below the current market price of $0.78, the timing—just two days after the company’s share price surged 33.97 % over the week—raises questions about how insiders interpret the stock’s trajectory.

Broader Insider Activity Signals Market Sentiment

Across the board, other executives have been liquidating holdings in December: Chief Legal Officer Koehler Allison sold 2,915 shares; former COO Werdelin Henrik sold a massive 50,000 shares; and MCGINTY JIM sold 60,000 shares. These moves, coupled with the modest price gain, suggest a cautious approach among insiders. They may be hedging against potential upside from the pending private‑take‑over proposal or simply balancing portfolio allocations as the company’s valuation swings sharply—from a 52‑week low of $0.53 to a high of $2.10.

Implications for Investors

For investors, insider sales do not automatically portend a decline. RSU settlements often occur irrespective of market conditions, and the shares sold represent only a small fraction of Scott’s total holdings. However, the cumulative selling across multiple executives could be interpreted as a lack of confidence in the near‑term upside, especially if the private‑take‑over bid falters or is not finalized. Conversely, insiders may view the current share price as undervalued relative to the 52‑week high, justifying a partial sale to lock in gains before a potential rebound.

Strategic Outlook Amid Take‑Over Talk

BARK’s recent buzz—52.34 % communication intensity and a modest positive sentiment (+3)—indicates that the market is closely watching the private‑take‑over discussions. Should the bid materialize, the company could experience a sharp price appreciation, potentially rendering the current insider sales as a short‑term loss. Until the terms are finalized, the mixed insider activity reflects a balance between risk‑management and opportunistic positioning. Investors should monitor subsequent filings and the progression of the takeover negotiations to gauge whether insider selling is a hedge against a possible upside or a warning of limited growth prospects.