Knowles Corp Executives Trim Stakes as Stock Hits Near 52‑Week High: What It Means for Investors

Insider Sales at Knowles Corp: What the Numbers Say

On February 6, 2026, SVP General Counsel & Securities Officer Robert J. Perna sold 2,946 shares of Knowles Corp. at an average price of $26.98, followed by a second sale of 3,166 shares the next day at $27.09. Combined, the transactions amount to 6,112 shares—just over 0.26 % of the company’s outstanding shares. While the volume may appear modest relative to the company’s market cap of $2.32 billion, the timing is noteworthy. The sales occurred against a backdrop of a 10.7 % weekly rally and a 17.7 % monthly gain, with the stock trading near its 52‑week high of $27.55. A sentiment score of –9 and a 590 % buzz indicate heightened social‑media attention, suggesting that the market is closely watching any insider activity for clues to the firm’s trajectory.

How This Fits Into Broader Insider Activity

Perna’s two consecutive sales mirror a pattern of balanced buying and selling that has characterized his recent trading. In July 2025 he alternated between sizable purchases (up to 29,412 shares) and sales (up to 29,412 shares), often timing trades at prices around $17–20—well below the current $27‑plus level. This suggests a long‑term view that is not swayed by short‑term volatility. Compared to other executives, the Vice President of Controller, Air A. J. Bastarrica, has been the most active insider in the past week, executing eight trades, including large sales that trimmed his position from 60,200 to 48,200 shares. The CEO, Jeffrey Niew, meanwhile has sold a total of 125,000 shares in the last month, underscoring a broader trend of top management divesting portions of their holdings as the stock price climbs.

Implications for Investors

For shareholders, Perna’s sale is unlikely to signal an immediate downturn. His trading history shows disciplined, market‑neutral moves rather than panic selling. Nonetheless, the fact that multiple senior executives have been liquidating shares in a short window may raise concerns about confidence in the company’s long‑term prospects. Investors should weigh this against Knowles’ solid fundamentals—its high price‑earnings ratio of 46.5 reflects valuation pressures in the high‑growth tech segment, while the company’s niche in acoustic components for hearing aids and mobile devices provides a defensible moat.

A prudent strategy might involve a gradual accumulation of shares as the price normalizes, or a careful review of the company’s recent earnings and product pipeline to assess whether the upward momentum is sustainable. Given the current market enthusiasm, a modest position could capture upside while limiting exposure to a potential pullback that could be triggered by the latest insider sales.

Perna Robert J. – A Profile of Transaction Behavior

Robert J. Perna, as SVP General Counsel & Securities Officer, has historically engaged in a balanced trading pattern: roughly equal buying and selling of common stock, with occasional option exercises and sales of non‑qualified stock options. In July 2025, his largest purchase was 29,412 shares at $16.77, while his largest sale that month was 29,412 shares at $20.47. More recently, he has sold shares at $26.98–$27.09, slightly above his historical average purchase price, indicating a strategy that capitalizes on valuation gains. His post‑transaction holdings consistently hover around 60,000–95,000 shares, suggesting a long‑term equity stake that aligns with the company’s growth trajectory rather than a speculative short‑term play.

Overall, Perna’s activity reflects a prudent, long‑term view: he sells when the stock has appreciated, but maintains a substantial position that signals confidence in Knowles’ core business. For investors, this pattern may be a green light to consider a long‑term position, provided they are comfortable with the company’s high valuation and the sector’s cyclical nature.