Insider Buying Signals Amid a Volatile Share Price
On February 12, 2026, Ferrari Daniele, a non‑executive director of Huntsman Corp., executed a purchase of 12,434 stock units under the 2025 Stock Incentive Plan. Although the transaction was recorded at no cash consideration—typical for incentive‑unit grants—the timing is noteworthy. The deal coincided with a slight dip in the share price to $13.52, a 8.99 % decline from the previous week and a 31.54 % slide from the year‑earlier close. With the company trading below its 52‑week low and a negative price‑to‑earnings ratio, the move may be interpreted as a bullish sign from an insider who has a long‑term stake in the firm.
Broader Insider Activity: Buying and Selling Dynamics
The insider‑transaction snapshot that day also shows a broader pattern of activity among Huntsman’s senior leadership. Executive VP & CFO Philip Lister purchased 69,706 shares but later sold a total of 7,691 shares in three separate trades on February 13, reflecting a typical “portfolio‑balance” strategy rather than a sell‑off warning. Senior VP Benko Brittany’s net position shrank from 80,286 to 77,466 shares after a series of small sales, while CEO Peter R. acquired 372,268 shares on February 12 and sold 58,650 shares on the following day—again consistent with routine liquidity management.
These patterns suggest that insiders are not engaging in large‑scale divestments that could trigger a price collapse. Instead, the buying activity, particularly from non‑executive directors like Daniele, indicates confidence in Huntsman’s long‑term prospects despite the current valuation compression.
Implications for Investors and Strategic Outlook
For investors, the insider purchases provide a contrarian cue in a market that has de‑valued Huntsman relative to its book value and peers. The company’s negative earnings and low price‑to‑book ratio signal potential undervaluation, while the recent earnings miss has not yet spurred a sustained sell‑off. If insiders are willing to acquire units at a discount, it could presage a gradual recovery as the firm stabilizes cash flows from its specialty‑chemical segment and leverages its diversified product portfolio.
Conversely, the high social‑media buzz (524 % above average) and positive sentiment (+66) surrounding the transaction indicate that market participants are paying close attention. Should Huntsman fail to generate earnings growth or execute a turnaround strategy, the heavy media focus could amplify price swings. Thus, investors should monitor forthcoming quarterly results and any guidance from the board, weighing the insider confidence against the company’s current earnings deficit.
Conclusion
Daniele’s recent purchase, set against a backdrop of routine insider trading, signals a cautiously optimistic stance from Huntsman’s board. While the stock remains significantly out of line with historical highs and traditional valuation multiples, the insider buying pattern—particularly from non‑executive directors—suggests that leadership believes the company can rebound. Investors would do well to keep an eye on both the company’s earnings trajectory and the broader market sentiment that the high social‑media buzz reflects.
| Date | Owner | Transaction Type | Shares | Price per Share | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-12 | Ferrari Daniele () | Buy | 12,434.00 | N/A | Stock Units |
| 2026-02-12 | ESPELAND CURTIS E () | Buy | 12,434.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-12 | DULA SONIA () | Buy | 12,434.00 | N/A | Stock Units |
| 2026-02-12 | Smedley Amy Kay (Exec VP, GC and Sec) | Buy | 56,518.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-12 | Lister Philip M. (Exec VP & CFO) | Buy | 69,706.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-13 | Lister Philip M. (Exec VP & CFO) | Sell | 1,579.00 | 13.21 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-13 | Lister Philip M. (Exec VP & CFO) | Sell | 2,375.00 | 13.21 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-13 | Lister Philip M. (Exec VP & CFO) | Sell | 3,706.00 | 13.21 | Common Stock |
| N/A | Lister Philip M. (Exec VP & CFO) | Holding | 123,213.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-12 | Benko Brittany (Sr. VP, EHS) | Buy | 26,375.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-13 | Benko Brittany (Sr. VP, EHS) | Sell | 630.00 | 13.21 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-13 | Benko Brittany (Sr. VP, EHS) | Sell | 909.00 | 13.21 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-13 | Benko Brittany (Sr. VP, EHS) | Sell | 1,281.00 | 13.21 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-12 | Beckerle Mary C () | Buy | 12,434.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-12 | McGovern Jeanne () | Buy | 12,434.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-12 | Munoz Barcelo Jose Antonio () | Buy | 12,434.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-12 | Huntsman Peter R (Chairman, President & CEO) | Buy | 372,268.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-13 | Huntsman Peter R (Chairman, President & CEO) | Sell | 16,804.00 | 13.21 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-13 | Huntsman Peter R (Chairman, President & CEO) | Sell | 21,662.00 | 13.21 | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-13 | Huntsman Peter R (Chairman, President & CEO) | Sell | 19,184.00 | 13.21 | Common Stock |
| N/A | Huntsman Peter R (Chairman, President & CEO) | Holding | 933,328.00 | N/A | Common Stock |




