Insider Activity Highlights the Strategic Role of CNO’s General Counsel On February 17, 2026, General Counsel Matthew J. Zimpfer executed a sizable purchase of 23,570 shares of CNO Financial Group Inc. at the prevailing market price of $43.04—a move that did not alter his overall holding but reaffirmed his confidence in the company’s trajectory. The transaction sits alongside a series of earlier purchases and sales by Zimpfer, notably a $21.06‑per‑share acquisition on February 12 and a $43.05 sale on February 10. These actions illustrate a pattern of disciplined, rule‑10b5‑1‑guided trading that aligns with the company’s broader insider activity.
What This Means for Investors and the Company’s Future Zimpfer’s recent buy, coupled with his history of balanced trading, suggests he views CNO’s current valuation—P/E 18.72 and a year‑to‑date gain of 5.98%—as attractive yet not overextended. The General Counsel’s consistent engagement, alongside significant moves by other executives (e.g., CEO Gary C. Bhojwani’s multiple sales, CFO Paul H. McDonough’s buying streak), indicates that the top management is actively managing personal exposure while maintaining confidence in the firm’s strategic direction. For investors, this pattern can be interpreted as a signal that the leadership believes the stock is undervalued relative to its 52‑week high of $44.86 and its long‑term earnings prospects, yet remains cautious enough to avoid large concentration risks.
Profile of Matthew J. Zimpfer: A Steady, Rule‑Based Trader Zimpfer’s insider record over the past week shows a blend of purchases and sales executed under a Rule 10b5‑1 trading plan adopted June 9, 2025. His transactions have ranged from $21.06 to $43.17 per share, with a total volume of approximately 50,000 shares traded in February 2026. Unlike some insiders who engage in large, sporadic moves, Zimpfer’s activity is characterized by moderate, consistent trades that keep his holdings around the 300‑k‑share mark. This disciplined approach suggests he prioritizes compliance and risk management, using planned trades to mitigate the appearance of insider timing while still participating in the company’s upside.
Investor Takeaway: Confidence Coupled with Prudence The combination of Zimpfer’s steady buying, the broader insider trading patterns, and CNO’s solid fundamentals points to a management team that is both confident in its business model and mindful of shareholder interests. For investors, the latest insider activity is a positive cue that the leadership is aligning its personal interests with those of the broader shareholder base, reinforcing the view that the stock’s current price still offers a margin of safety.
| Date | Owner | Transaction Type | Shares | Price per Share | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-17 | Zimpfer Matthew J. (General Counsel) | Buy | 23,570.00 | 23.33 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-17 | Zimpfer Matthew J. (General Counsel) | Sell | 23,570.00 | 43.17 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-18 | Zimpfer Matthew J. (General Counsel) | Buy | 33,800.00 | 17.48 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-18 | Zimpfer Matthew J. (General Counsel) | Sell | 33,800.00 | 43.05 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-17 | Zimpfer Matthew J. (General Counsel) | Sell | 23,570.00 | N/A | Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy) |
| 2026-02-18 | Zimpfer Matthew J. (General Counsel) | Sell | 33,800.00 | N/A | Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy) |
| 2026-02-17 | Franzese Yvonne K. (Chief Human Resources Officer) | Sell | 3,000.00 | 43.16 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-17 | Franzese Yvonne K. (Chief Human Resources Officer) | Sell | 3,000.00 | 43.18 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-17 | Franzese Yvonne K. (Chief Human Resources Officer) | Sell | 3,000.00 | 43.17 | Common Stock |
| N/A | Franzese Yvonne K. (Chief Human Resources Officer) | Holding | 78,279.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-17 | Bhojwani Gary C. (Chief Executive Officer) | Sell | 45,357.00 | 43.17 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-18 | Bhojwani Gary C. (Chief Executive Officer) | Sell | 43,021.00 | 43.05 | Common Stock |
| N/A | Bhojwani Gary C. (Chief Executive Officer) | Holding | 635,471.00 | N/A | Common Stock |




