Insiders Buy Big as United States Antimony Eyes Critical-Mineral Expansion Surge

Insider Buying Signals a Strategic Push

On January 15 2026, Michael A. McManus Jr. purchased 6,635 shares of United States Antimony Corp. (USANT) as part of a new restricted‑stock‑unit award under the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan. The transaction—recorded at the prevailing market price of $10.86—adds to a series of recent buys that have pushed McManus’s post‑transaction holding to roughly 538,600 shares. While the buy itself is a modest 0.07 % of the daily volume, it occurs against a backdrop of a 160 % surge in social‑media buzz and a mildly negative sentiment score (-24). Together, the data suggest that insiders are betting on a near‑term rally, perhaps driven by the company’s latest property acquisition and the industry’s growing demand for critical‑mineral supplies.

What Investors Should Take Away

The timing of McManus’s purchase aligns with United States Antimony’s announcement of a new flotation facility that will broaden its processing envelope to include cobalt, tungsten, and zeolite—minerals that have seen a surge in strategic interest worldwide. Analysts note that the company’s market cap of $1.27 billion and a 52‑week high of $19.71 position it well to capture premium pricing. However, the negative price‑earnings ratio of –217.06 signals that earnings are still volatile, likely a relic of the company’s heavy capital‑expenditure cycle. For investors, the insider activity may be a positive signal of confidence, but it should be weighed against the broader earnings uncertainty and the company’s high debt exposure that could amplify downside risk.

McManus’s Insider Profile

McManus’s transaction history reveals a pattern of large, equity‑based awards rather than market‑price trades. In May 2025 he executed a $22,733 common‑stock purchase and a $34,100 stock‑option acquisition, both of which were “buy” entries with zero cash outlay—indicative of compensation awards rather than speculative trades. The recurring theme is that McManus’s holdings are heavily weighted in time‑based vesting awards, suggesting that his exposure to the company’s performance is long‑term and aligned with management’s objectives. The lack of any sales or divestments in the past year further underscores a commitment to the company’s strategic trajectory.

Broader Insider Activity: A Quiet Consensus

While McManus’s deal is the headline, other key insiders—Carrabba Joseph A. and Aguirre Blaise A.—have mirrored the same buying pattern on January 15 2026, each purchasing 6,635 shares and securing 12,259 stock‑option units. Their cumulative holdings now exceed 600,000 shares combined, indicating a broader insider consensus around the company’s mid‑term outlook. This coordinated buying, occurring within a single filing window, is rare and suggests that management believes the company’s asset base and strategic positioning will yield a significant upside.

Implications for the Company’s Future

With a recent property acquisition that boosts processing capabilities and a slate of time‑based RSU and option awards for senior management, United States Antimony appears to be positioning itself as a critical‑mineral play in a market where supply chain security is paramount. Insider confidence—manifested through these structured equity awards—may help anchor shareholder expectations as the company navigates a high‑volatility industry. For investors, the key question remains: will the company translate its expanded asset base into sustainable earnings growth that can turn the current negative P/E into a positive outlook? The insider activity offers a hopeful but cautious sign that the answer may be affirmative, provided the company can manage its capital expenditures and maintain operational efficiency in a competitive global market.