CEO of Cardlytics Buys 125,000 Shares Amid 69% Decline, Sparking Investor Speculation

Insider Buying Spurs a Quiet Upswing at Cardlytics

On February 16, 2026, Cardlytics’ chief executive officer, Gupta Amit, added 125,000 shares to his holdings through a direct purchase at the closing price of $0.93. The move follows a series of RSU‑related transactions that saw the CEO vesting 250,000 shares the same day and immediately selling 52,049 shares to cover tax obligations. Despite the modest size of the purchase relative to the company’s 50‑million‑share float, the action is notable because it occurs while the stock is trading below its 52‑week low and after a year‑over‑year decline of nearly 69 %. In a market where the price‑to‑earnings ratio sits at –0.44 and the stock has struggled to attract institutional interest, a CEO‑initiated buy can be interpreted as a vote of confidence.

What Does the Move Mean for Investors?

Gupta’s purchase, coupled with the earlier RSU vesting, suggests that senior management remains optimistic about the company’s long‑term prospects. Historically, his trading pattern has been a mix of large RSU grants—most recently a 500,000‑share award in August 2024 and another 500,000 in January 2025—followed by periodic sales to satisfy tax withholding. In October 2025, the CEO sold 7,799 shares at $2.27 per share, a price well above the February 2026 level, indicating that he was willing to liquidate at higher valuations when the market was stronger. The recent purchase at $0.93, a 4.85 % weekly gain, may signal that he expects the stock to rebound from its recent lows.

For investors, the transaction offers a potential catalyst. If the company’s transaction‑driven marketing platform begins to generate stronger revenue growth, the stock could rally from its current near‑low. However, the company’s negative P/E and book ratios, coupled with the lack of recent earnings reports, mean that any upside will likely depend on a clear earnings turnaround or a strategic partnership that injects liquidity and credibility into the business model.

A Quick Look at Gupta Amit’s Insider Profile

Gupta has been a consistent presence on the insider trading register since 2024. He has accumulated a sizable block of common stock (over 500,000 shares as of early 2025) and holds a substantial RSU balance that is being realized on a four‑installment vesting schedule tied to his CEO tenure. His trade history shows a pattern of buying during periods of market softness and selling when the stock is priced higher—consistent with a classic “buy low, sell high” approach. The February 2026 purchase, therefore, is not an isolated event but part of a broader strategy to maintain a meaningful equity stake while leveraging RSU vesting to fund tax obligations.

Bottom Line

Gupta Amit’s latest purchase injects a small but meaningful dose of insider optimism into Cardlytics during a period of significant share price volatility and negative valuation metrics. While the company remains a high‑risk play given its lack of profitability and low market cap, the CEO’s actions could be interpreted as a signal to investors that management believes the company is poised for a recovery—especially if future earnings improve or strategic deals materialize. Investors should weigh this insider confidence against the broader market risks before deciding whether to add CTLT to their portfolio.