Insider Activity Spotlight: Geraghty Michael C’s Recent Trade at Sensient Technologies
Geraghty Michael C., President of Sensient’s Color Group, added 4,924 shares of common stock on February 12, 2026, as part of the vesting of performance‑stock units that had previously accrued at 85.4 % of the target award. The transaction, executed at the market price of $93.03, was followed by a tax‑withholding sale of 2,462 shares at the close price of $97.93, leaving Geraghty with a net position of 47,682 shares. This move coincides with a broader pattern of modest buying and selling by Sensient insiders in the past quarter, suggesting a confidence in the company’s mid‑term prospects rather than a scramble to liquidate positions.
What This Means for Investors
The net purchase indicates that Geraghty—and by extension the Color Group leadership—is willing to invest in Sensient’s equity as performance units mature. While the trade size is small relative to the company’s $4.35 B market cap, the timing is telling. Sensient’s recent earnings beat expectations and the company is poised to capture growth in the fast‑growing food‑flavor sector, particularly in the Asia‑Pacific market. A modest insider buy at a price that is only 4 % below the 52‑week high may be viewed as a “buy the dip” signal, reinforcing the narrative that the stock is still underappreciated. For shareholders, this could translate into a subtle uptick in confidence, potentially supporting a rebound from the recent 4.57 % weekly decline.
Geraghty’s Insider Profile
Geraghty’s transaction history paints a picture of a steady, long‑term stakeholder. In December 2025 he purchased 3,418 shares and 5,126 performance‑stock units, then sold 1,921 shares a few days later. Since then, he has maintained a core holding of roughly 45–50 k shares and continues to accrue performance units that vest under EBITDA and return‑on‑capital metrics. His pattern of buying at low volatility periods and selling to cover tax withholdings suggests a disciplined approach: he is not a “short‑term speculator” but a participant who aligns his interests with the company’s performance over a multi‑year horizon. This aligns with Sensient’s long‑term growth strategy in specialty chemicals, where incremental value is often realized over several fiscal cycles.
Contextualizing the Trade in a Volatile Market
Sensient’s stock has been somewhat volatile, with a 52‑week high of $121.54 and a low of $67.79. The company’s price‑earnings ratio of 31.15 is moderate for a growth‑oriented specialty‑chemicals firm. The recent social‑media sentiment score of –3 and a buzz level of 16.89 % indicate that the trade did not trigger significant market chatter, suggesting that it was perceived as routine. However, the timing—just after a modest weekly decline—could be interpreted as a “buy the dip” tactic, reinforcing the idea that insiders view current prices as attractive.
Bottom Line for the Market
Geraghty’s net purchase, though modest in dollar terms, is part of a broader insider trend that leans toward accumulation rather than divestiture. For investors, the trade offers a subtle endorsement of Sensient’s strategic direction and a signal that the company’s management believes its current valuation is supportive of future growth. If Sensient continues to execute on its flavor and cosmetic ingredient initiatives—especially in high‑growth Asia‑Pacific markets—this insider confidence could translate into incremental upside for shareholders over the coming fiscal year.
| Date | Owner | Transaction Type | Shares | Price per Share | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-12 | Geraghty Michael C (President, Color Group) | Buy | 4,924.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-12 | Geraghty Michael C (President, Color Group) | Sell | 2,462.00 | 97.93 | Common Stock |
| N/A | Geraghty Michael C (President, Color Group) | Holding | 414.31 | N/A | Common Stock |
| N/A | Geraghty Michael C (President, Color Group) | Holding | 713.47 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-12 | Geraghty Michael C (President, Color Group) | Sell | 4,924.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |
| N/A | Geraghty Michael C (President, Color Group) | Holding | 5,126.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |
| N/A | Geraghty Michael C (President, Color Group) | Holding | 6,055.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |
| N/A | Geraghty Michael C (President, Color Group) | Holding | 7,205.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |
| 2026-02-12 | Jones Amy Schmidt (VP, HR and Senior Counsel) | Buy | 3,388.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-12 | Jones Amy Schmidt (VP, HR and Senior Counsel) | Sell | 1,694.00 | 97.93 | Common Stock |
| N/A | Jones Amy Schmidt (VP, HR and Senior Counsel) | Holding | 312.69 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-12 | Jones Amy Schmidt (VP, HR and Senior Counsel) | Sell | 3,388.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |
| N/A | Jones Amy Schmidt (VP, HR and Senior Counsel) | Holding | 4,886.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |
| N/A | Jones Amy Schmidt (VP, HR and Senior Counsel) | Holding | 3,947.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |
| N/A | Jones Amy Schmidt (VP, HR and Senior Counsel) | Holding | 3,418.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |
| 2026-02-12 | Manning John J (SVP, GC & Secretary) | Buy | 4,016.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-12 | Manning John J (SVP, GC & Secretary) | Sell | 2,008.00 | 97.93 | Common Stock |
| N/A | Manning John J (SVP, GC & Secretary) | Holding | 49.10 | N/A | Common Stock |
| N/A | Manning John J (SVP, GC & Secretary) | Holding | 561.88 | N/A | Common Stock |
| N/A | Manning John J (SVP, GC & Secretary) | Holding | 509.62 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-12 | Manning John J (SVP, GC & Secretary) | Sell | 4,016.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |
| N/A | Manning John J (SVP, GC & Secretary) | Holding | 5,824.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |
| N/A | Manning John J (SVP, GC & Secretary) | Holding | 4,791.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |
| N/A | Manning John J (SVP, GC & Secretary) | Holding | 4,195.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |
| 2026-02-12 | Tornehl Tobin (VP and Chief Financial Officer) | Buy | 1,502.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-12 | Tornehl Tobin (VP and Chief Financial Officer) | Sell | 751.00 | 97.93 | Common Stock |
| N/A | Tornehl Tobin (VP and Chief Financial Officer) | Holding | 959.28 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-02-12 | Tornehl Tobin (VP and Chief Financial Officer) | Sell | 1,502.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |
| N/A | Tornehl Tobin (VP and Chief Financial Officer) | Holding | 3,341.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |
| N/A | Tornehl Tobin (VP and Chief Financial Officer) | Holding | 3,833.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |
| N/A | Tornehl Tobin (VP and Chief Financial Officer) | Holding | 4,350.00 | N/A | Performance Stock Unit |




