Peabody Energy’s COO Trims Shares Amid Executive Buying Spree, Hinting at Possible Strategic Rebalancing

Insider Activity Spotlight: Peabody Energy’s Recent Share Sale

On January 14, 2026, Jarboe Scott T., the Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary of Peabody Energy Corp., executed a Rule 10b5‑1 sell order of 2,151 shares of common stock at an average price of $34.26. This sale reduced her stake to 82,306 shares, leaving her with roughly 0.19 % of the outstanding shares. The trade, filed in a standard Form 4, was part of a pre‑planned trading schedule adopted on December 2, 2024, and occurred when the stock was trading near its 52‑week high of $37.13. While the transaction amount is modest relative to the $4.38 billion market cap, it is notable for occurring amid a flurry of buying by other executives on December 3, 2025, including the CEO, CFO, and several EVPs, many of whom purchased at the same $29.43 price. The contrast between Scott’s sell and the contemporaneous buys may signal a shift in sentiment or a tactical rebalancing of her personal portfolio.

What This Means for Investors

The timing of Scott’s sale, close to a recent 27.58 % monthly rally, could be interpreted in several ways. On one hand, insiders routinely use 10b5‑1 plans to manage liquidity needs or diversify holdings, so the sale may be purely personal. On the other hand, the sale’s proximity to a cluster of insider buying by senior management suggests a potential internal assessment that the stock may be overvalued or that upcoming catalysts could dampen momentum. If the broader insider buying reflects confidence in a long‑term turnaround—particularly as Peabody’s CEO has been named chair of the National Coal Council—Scott’s sale might be an isolated event. However, investors should monitor subsequent trades for any trend of selling that could foreshadow a profit‑taking run or a shift in strategic direction.

Profiling Jarboe Scott T. Through Transaction History

Scott’s recent transaction history is sparse, with only one recorded purchase on December 3, 2025 (73 shares at $29.43) and the current sale. Her cumulative holdings, after the sale, amount to 82,306 shares—slightly lower than the 78,132 shares she owned prior to the sale. This pattern suggests a cautious approach: she acquires shares in small, discrete blocks and relies on a 10b5‑1 plan for divestitures. Compared to peers, Scott’s trade size is modest; for instance, the CEO purchased 268 shares, while the CFO bought 92 shares in the same window. The use of a Rule 10b5‑1 plan underscores her intent to avoid the perception of insider trading and to adhere to regulatory best practices.

Implications for Peabody’s Future

Peabody Energy has navigated a volatile sector, with its low‑sulfur coal business facing regulatory and market headwinds. The company’s recent stock performance—a 7.57 % weekly gain and an 85.70 % yearly increase—reflects a broader recovery in energy assets. Insider buying by top executives indicates confidence in Peabody’s strategic pivot toward emission allowance trading and its operational diversification across the U.S. and Australia. Conversely, Scott’s sale may hint at an upcoming recalibration of the company’s capital structure or a response to near‑term earnings pressures. For investors, the key takeaway is the need to watch for additional insider activity, particularly in the lead‑up to quarterly earnings and any announced strategic initiatives, to gauge whether the current momentum is sustainable or merely a short‑term surge.

Bottom Line

While Jarboe Scott’s sale is modest and likely driven by personal portfolio management, it sits against a backdrop of significant insider buying by senior management, suggesting a complex mix of confidence and caution. Investors should view this transaction as a piece of the larger puzzle—monitoring subsequent trades, earnings releases, and policy developments—to assess Peabody Energy’s trajectory in an evolving energy landscape.