Director Hightower Buys Presidio Shares Amid 58% Year‑to‑Date Decline, Offering a Possible Confidence Signal?

Insider Buying Signals Amid a Declining Share Price

On January 6, 2026, Hightower Steven purchased 2,800 shares of Presidio Property Trust’s Series A common stock at $3.69 each, increasing his stake to 11,812 shares. The transaction occurred while the share was trading near a 52‑week low of $2.17, and the stock had just missed a 52‑week high of $23 earlier in the year. The buy was executed at a price that was slightly higher than the current market price of $2.76, suggesting a willingness to pay a premium for the opportunity. This action comes after a recent sell on December 30, 2025, when Hightower divested 678 shares at $3.67.

What the Buy Means for Investors

A purchase by a director during a period of significant price decline can be interpreted in multiple ways. On one hand, it may indicate that the director believes the market has undervalued the company’s assets and that the trust’s portfolio of industrial, office, and retail properties will generate a turnaround. On the other hand, the premium paid could simply reflect a short‑term speculative bet, especially given the company’s recent suspension of dividends on Series D preferred stock and negative earnings. The overall market sentiment remains neutral (sentiment score 0) but the buzz is high (99.50 % communication intensity), meaning investors are actively discussing the move, which could amplify price volatility in the coming days.

Hightower Steven: A Pattern of Opportunistic Trades

Hightower’s transaction history with Presidio is sparse but consistent: a single sell in December 2025 followed by a buy in January 2026. Unlike the CEO, Jack Kendrick, who has conducted a series of large buys and sells, Hightower’s activity is modest, typically involving a few hundred to a few thousand shares. This pattern suggests he may be testing the waters rather than committing to a long‑term stake. His recent purchase could reflect a belief that the trust’s real estate holdings will rebound as the market stabilizes and the company resumes dividend distributions.

Implications for the Company’s Future

Presidio’s share price has dropped over 58 % year‑to‑date, and its price‑earnings ratio is negative, underscoring a challenging environment for the trust. Insider buying, especially by a director, may serve as a modest confidence signal that could attract other shareholders. However, the company’s recent dividend suspension and the lack of positive earnings make it difficult to gauge the long‑term impact of such insider activity. Investors should monitor subsequent trades, particularly those by the CEO and CFO, to assess whether insider confidence is translating into a sustainable turnaround strategy.