PBF Energy Execs Trim Holdings as Stock Hits Low, Hinting at Caution Amid Refinery Recovery Efforts

Insider Selling Amid a Rebound

Fedena James E., PBF Energy’s Senior Vice President, sold 4,045 shares of Class A common stock on December 16, 2025 at $26.64 per share. The sale brought her holdings down to roughly 158 k shares—about 4 % of the company’s outstanding equity. The transaction came at a time when PBF’s stock is trading near its 52‑week low, and the broader energy sector is experiencing muted upside after a refinery outage earlier in the year. While the sale is modest relative to the company’s overall float, it follows a pattern of several smaller‑scale sales by top executives in the past two months.

What the Sale Signals for Investors

The timing of James E.’s sale—just one day after a sharp decline in PBF’s share price—raises questions about management’s confidence in the company’s short‑term outlook. The broader insider activity, including a recent 500‑k‑share sell by Control Empresarial de Capitales, suggests that a handful of insiders are opting to diversify or lock in gains as the stock settles near its low. For investors, this could be interpreted as a “sign of caution” rather than a bearish bet: insiders are often restricted by lock‑up periods, but when they choose to sell, they may be signaling that they do not anticipate a swift rebound. However, the sales are small relative to the company’s market cap (~$3.9 billion), and the company’s fundamentals—steady revenue from long‑term supply contracts—remain intact.

Profile of Fedena James E.

James E. has a history of both buying and selling shares in PBF. Her most recent purchase on October 28, 2025 (30 k shares) increased her stake to 164 k shares, followed by a sell of 1,581 shares on October 27. The pattern—alternating between buying in October and selling in December—suggests a tactical approach tied to quarterly earnings reports and liquidity needs. Her trades typically occur at market prices that hover around the company’s weekly average, indicating she does not appear to be trading on material non‑public information. Overall, her net position remains substantial, implying continued confidence in the company’s long‑term prospects even as she occasionally rebalances her portfolio.

Implications for PBF Energy’s Future

PBF Energy is still recovering from a refinery incident that disrupted production earlier in 2025. The company’s management has emphasized incremental improvements and long‑term agreements to stabilize revenue streams. The insider selling, while noteworthy, does not appear to undermine that narrative. Instead, it highlights the delicate balance executives maintain between personal liquidity and confidence in the company’s trajectory. For investors, the key will be to monitor whether insider activity continues to trend upward or whether further sales signal deeper concerns. As the stock remains volatile within a wide range, those who believe in PBF’s operational fundamentals may view these transactions as routine, while skeptics might interpret them as a warning of continued headwinds in the energy market.