Insider Selling Continues at Clean Harbors – What It Means for Shareholders
The most recent filing from Gabriel Sharon M., EVP/CIO of Clean Harbors Inc., shows a modest sale of 3,540 shares on February 20, 2026 at $282.07 each. With 23,193 shares remaining post‑transaction, the move is small relative to his overall stake (≈ 1.5 % of the 1.55 million‑share outstanding). The price is only 0.01 % below the current market price of $284.36, suggesting the sale was not driven by a panic but likely a routine portfolio‑rebalancing or liquidity need. The broader market context—CLH’s share price up 3.6 % this week and 8.4 % month‑to‑date—further implies that the sale did not coincide with a significant downtrend.
Insider Activity in the Context of a Bullish Season
In the last two weeks, other executives have also sold shares: CFO Eric Dugas (2,788 shares) and COO Michael Battles (5,205 shares). This cluster of selling, albeit from different functions, is not uncommon in a period of strong performance. Clean Harbors’ stock is currently trading near its 52‑week high ($286.45) and has posted a 33.98 % yearly gain, underscoring investor enthusiasm for its environmental‑services business. Insider sales in such an environment are often interpreted as normal cash‑flow management rather than a lack of confidence. Moreover, the sentiment score of –66 and buzz of 197 % around the sale point to heightened discussion but not necessarily negative sentiment; the high buzz likely reflects routine media coverage of insider transactions.
What Investors Should Watch
- Earnings Momentum – Clean Harbors has maintained a price‑to‑earnings ratio of ~37, indicating premium valuation but consistent earnings growth. Investors should monitor upcoming quarterly guidance; any slowdown could pressure the premium.
- Capital Allocation – The cumulative insider sell‑side of roughly 12,000 shares in the last month (including Dugas, Welch, and Battles) suggests a modest cash‑flow requirement that may not impact the company’s operating capital.
- Shareholder Return – The company’s dividend history is steady, and its free‑cash‑flow profile supports potential future payouts or share buybacks. Insider selling does not alter this trajectory unless followed by a larger trend.
Profiling Gabriel Sharon M. – A Pattern of Conservative Trading
Gabriel Sharon M. has a history of balanced buying and selling. In the past 90 days he executed two purchases (2,073 shares on Feb 1 and 566 shares on Feb 1) and two sales (508 shares on Feb 2 and 525 shares on July 1). His largest sale (525 shares) was at $229.55, roughly 20 % below the market price at the time, indicating a strategic off‑load rather than a distressed sale. Overall, his holding has trended upwards—from 27,766 shares on July 1 to 29,372 shares on Feb 1—showing a net accumulation of ≈ 1,600 shares despite periodic sales. This pattern suggests confidence in Clean Harbors’ long‑term prospects, with periodic adjustments to lock in gains or rebalance his portfolio.
Bottom Line
The February 20 sale by EVP Sharon is a routine insider transaction that does not signal any immediate concern for Clean Harbors’ trajectory. The company continues to ride a bullish trend with strong earnings fundamentals, while insider activity remains within normal ranges for an executive managing a sizable stake. For investors, the key will be to watch how Clean Harbors sustains its growth momentum and whether future insider activity signals a shift in confidence.
| Date | Owner | Transaction Type | Shares | Price per Share | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-20 | Gabriel Sharon M. (EVP/CIO (CHESI)) | Sell | 3,540.00 | 282.07 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-20 | Dugas Eric J. (EVP CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER) | Sell | 2,788.00 | 281.31 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-19 | Welch John R. () | Sell | 750.00 | 273.07 | Common Stock |
