Insider Buying Signals and Strategic Positioning at UMH Properties
A Big‑Ticket Purchase Amid Quiet Volatility On January 21, 2026, Carus Jeffrey A executed a sizeable stock award‑related buy of 1,220 shares of UMH Properties Inc. at $16.15 per share. The transaction, filed under Form 4, is part of a broader “stock award for directors” program that also includes a vesting schedule of 12,000 shares over five years. The purchase occurred when the stock was trading near its 52‑week low, and the company’s weekly decline of 2.83% had already weighed on investor sentiment. Despite the downward trajectory, the insider’s action suggests confidence in a rebound, especially given the positive buzz score (+12) and an unusually high communication intensity (≈79 % of average).
Implications for Investors and the Company’s Outlook The insider purchase aligns with a pattern of long‑term holding. Jeffrey A has maintained a consistent stake—often in the 10 k–30 k share range—since at least early 2024, with a notable 12,000‑share holding recorded in mid‑2026. This steadfast accumulation indicates a belief that the company’s asset‑backed real‑estate portfolio will appreciate in value, especially as the market moves towards a recovery from the recent dip. For investors, the transaction can be interpreted as a “buy” signal: insiders are willing to increase exposure while the share price is depressed. However, the company’s recent earnings volatility and the broader real‑estate sector’s sensitivity to interest‑rate changes mean that the move should be weighed against macro risks.
Carus Jeffrey A: A Profile of Long‑Term Commitment Carus Jeffrey A’s insider history shows a clear preference for equity over short‑term trading. From 2024 to 2026, the owner has largely held large blocks of common stock, rarely engaging in sales. The 2025‑12‑15 purchase of 32.79 shares at $15.25 demonstrates an opportunistic buying pattern when the stock was near its low. More telling is the 12,000‑share derivative purchase in January 2026, which will vest gradually, aligning the owner’s interests with the company’s long‑term performance. The steady accumulation, coupled with the 2026 stock‑award buy, positions Jeffrey A as a long‑term stakeholder rather than a speculative trader.
Broader Insider Activity: A Cohesive Leadership Position Carus Jeffrey A is one of several senior executives maintaining substantial holdings—others include the CEO, CFO, and COO, all of whom have reported holdings in the tens of thousands of shares. This alignment across the board suggests a unified confidence in UMH’s strategy: a focus on high‑quality property assets and a disciplined capital allocation model. For investors, such cohesion reduces concerns about management misalignment and signals a shared belief in the company’s valuation trajectory.
Conclusion: A Buy‑Signal with Caveats The insider purchase by Carus Jeffrey A, coupled with a consistent long‑term holding pattern, can be viewed as a bullish endorsement during a period of market softness. Investors may interpret the move as evidence of management confidence, yet should remain mindful of sector‑specific risks and the company’s recent price decline. Monitoring subsequent quarterly reports and the vesting of the 12,000‑share award will be key to gauging whether this insider optimism translates into sustained shareholder value.
| Date | Owner | Transaction Type | Shares | Price per Share | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-21 | Carus Jeffrey A () | Buy | 1,220.00 | 16.15 | UMH Properties, Inc. |
| N/A | Carus Jeffrey A () | Holding | 729.39 | N/A | UMH Properties, Inc. |
| N/A | Carus Jeffrey A () | Holding | 620.58 | N/A | UMH Properties, Inc. |
| N/A | Carus Jeffrey A () | Holding | 500.00 | N/A | UMH Properties, Inc. (Preferred D) |
| 2025-01-10 | Carus Jeffrey A () | Holding | 11,000.00 | N/A | UMH Properties, Inc. |
| 2024-03-21 | Carus Jeffrey A () | Holding | 10,000.00 | N/A | UMH Properties, Inc. |
| 2026-06-16 | Carus Jeffrey A () | Holding | 12,000.00 | N/A | UMH Properties, Inc. |
| 2026-01-21 | Carus Jeffrey A () | Buy | 12,000.00 | 16.15 | UMH Properties, Inc. |




