CEO of Inotiv Inc. Offloads 16,810 Shares as Stock Slumps 47% in Past Month.

Insider Selling Signals at Inotiv Inc.

The latest filing on February 17, 2026 shows President and CEO Robert Leasure Jr. selling 16,810 shares of Inotiv’s common stock—about 1.3 % of the company’s market capitalization—at roughly $0.30 per share. The sale is a tax‑withholding settlement of restricted stock units, a routine event that often masks a more nuanced insider view. Nevertheless, the timing is noteworthy: the company’s share price is down 2.45 % that week and has plunged 47.6 % over the past month, while the 52‑week low sits at $0.28, only marginally below the sale price.

What the Sale Means for Investors

Insider selling can be interpreted in several ways. For a CEO, off‑loading shares under a Rule 10b‑5 plan does not necessarily signal a loss of confidence; it may simply be a tax‑planning exercise. However, when coupled with the broader context—recent cybersecurity alerts, negative earnings, and a price‑to‑earnings ratio of –0.15—the sale adds weight to concerns that top executives see limited upside in the near term. Investors should watch for complementary signals such as changes in the company’s strategic direction, cost‑control measures, or new clinical partnerships that could reverse the current downward trajectory.

Leasure’s Historical Transaction Profile

Robert Leasure Jr.’s insider activity has been relatively modest. Prior to the February 17 sale, he sold 113,297 shares on February 2 at $0.50 each, reducing his holdings to 1,273,025 shares. A holding entry on the same day lists 105,000 shares held through a controlling entity, suggesting a degree of diversification. Across all disclosed transactions, Leasure has never purchased shares; his activity has been strictly sell‑or‑hold. This pattern, combined with the recent sale, paints a portrait of a CEO who prefers to liquidate rather than accumulate equity—a stance that may reflect either a focus on operational capital needs or a cautious outlook on the stock’s valuation.

Company‑Wide Insider Activity

Other senior leaders—Chief Strategy Officer John Sagartz and CFO Beth Taylor—each sold roughly 2,100–2,900 shares on February 17, further underscoring a wave of insider liquidity. The cumulative insider outflow this week amounts to more than 30,000 shares, or about 0.3 % of the float. While the overall volume is small relative to the company’s 10‑million share base, the synchronized timing across top executives could be perceived as a signal of shared uncertainty about the company’s short‑term prospects.

Looking Ahead

Inotiv’s financial fundamentals remain weak, with a market cap of just $10 million and a negative earnings per share figure. The stock’s 52‑week high of $4.40 contrasts sharply with today’s trading price, reflecting a steep loss of investor confidence. For those considering a position, the insider selling activity should prompt a closer look at the company’s strategic initiatives, cost structure, and risk profile—particularly in light of the recent cybersecurity incident. While the CEO’s sale does not spell immediate doom, it does highlight the need for investors to assess whether Inotiv’s current trajectory aligns with their risk tolerance and investment horizon.