Insider Buying in a Down‑Trend: What Blaser Brian J. is Doing
QuidelOrtho Corp’s latest filing shows President and CEO Blaser Brian J. purchasing 10,540 shares of common stock on 13 Feb 2026 at an average price of $23.59, bringing his post‑transaction holding to 40,073 shares. The purchase comes at a time when the stock is trading near its 52‑week low (≈$19.5) and the company’s share price has fallen 29 % this month and 41 % this year. In a market that has been dominated by a steep sell‑off, the move signals that Blaser remains confident in QuidelOrtho’s long‑term value proposition, despite short‑term volatility.
Investor Takeaway: Confidence or Contrarian?
From an investment‑perspective, insider buying is often interpreted as a bullish cue. Blaser’s recent transaction is part of a broader pattern: he has bought 213,470 restricted‑stock units (RSUs) and 21,446 shares of common stock in the last two weeks, while also selling 7,755 shares on 29 Jan at $27.41. This mix of buying and selling is typical of a CEO balancing liquidity needs with a commitment to the company’s future. For investors, the key question is whether the CEO’s confidence translates into tangible earnings momentum. QuidelOrtho’s guidance for 2026—projected revenue of $2.7–$2.9 billion and a push toward higher margins—provides a backdrop that could justify the current price decline, but the negative P/E and flat earnings growth underline the need for caution.
Blaser Brian J.: A Profile of the Insider
Blaser’s transaction history reflects a consistent strategy of accumulating equity through RSUs and common stock, with occasional sales of vested shares. Since the start of 2026, he has accumulated roughly 213,470 RSUs (locked in until vesting) and 40,000+ shares of common stock, totaling a significant portion of the company’s outstanding shares. His transactions are typically executed at or near the current market price, suggesting a passive approach rather than opportunistic trading. The CEO’s pattern of buying more shares during periods of price decline (e.g., 13 Feb) aligns with a belief that the market is undervaluing QuidelOrtho’s diagnostic pipeline and operational improvements.
Market Context and Forward Outlook
The company’s Q4 2025 results beat estimates, yet earnings per share fell, and the guidance for 2026 hinges on improving margins across clinical chemistry, immunoassay, and point‑of‑care diagnostics. Blaser’s continued share purchases may be aimed at aligning his interests with those of long‑term shareholders, especially as the company seeks to navigate competitive pressures in the diagnostics sector. Investors watching QuidelOrtho should monitor whether the CEO’s equity holdings translate into sustained revenue growth and margin expansion, and whether the stock can rebound from its current multi‑year low.
Bottom Line
Blaser Brian J.’s recent buy adds weight to a narrative of internal confidence amid a weak market. For investors, the transaction is a bullish signal, but one that must be weighed against the company’s current valuation, negative P/E, and the broader health‑care diagnostics competitive landscape. If QuidelOrtho can deliver on its 2026 revenue and margin targets, the share price may well recover, validating the insider’s faith in the company’s long‑term prospects.
| Date | Owner | Transaction Type | Shares | Price per Share | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-13 | Blaser Brian J. (President and CEO) | Buy | 10,540.00 | 23.59 | Common Stock |
| N/A | Blaser Brian J. (President and CEO) | Holding | 25,142.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
