Insider Selling on a Declining Stage: What the Latest Trade Means for VeriSign
Indelicarto Thomas C, EVP, General Counsel & Secretary, sold 166 shares of VeriSign on February 10, 2026, at an average price of $219.24, slightly below the market price of $215.71. The sale came after a string of mixed transactions over the past month – a buy of 4,810 shares on February 5, a sell of 1,594 shares on the same day, and a series of smaller sales and purchases that have kept his holdings hovering in the low 40,000‑share range. The timing of the sale is notable: the stock had already dipped below its 52‑week low (February 5) and was down 10.5 % on the week and 13.3 % in the month. In a market where the price‑to‑earnings ratio sits at 25.06 and the price‑to‑book ratio is negative, a senior executive’s decision to trim a position may signal that the company’s fundamentals are not aligning with the valuation.
Investor Takeaway: Signals and Cautions
For investors, the pattern suggests caution. Thomas C’s trades are largely short‑term and highly concentrated around periods of price volatility, implying that the executive may be reacting to short‑term market swings rather than long‑term strategy. The fact that his latest sell price is below the market close could indicate a belief that the stock is overvalued relative to its intrinsic worth. However, the sheer volume of insider activity across the board—especially the large block trades by the CEO and CFO—shows that the top management remains actively engaged in the market, possibly to manage liquidity or to meet regulatory reporting obligations. The net effect is a mixed signal: the executive’s behavior does not confirm confidence in the company’s near‑term prospects, but the continued buying by other insiders and institutional interest (e.g., GraniteShares) suggests that at least some stakeholders are still bullish.
A Profile in Transaction Patterns
Thomas C’s transaction history reveals a pattern of opportunistic buying and selling, often at price points near market lows or highs. Over the last year, he has executed over 30 trades, with a net cumulative sale of roughly 50,000 shares. His largest single trade was a buy of 4,810 shares on February 5, 2026, which brought his holdings to 43,784 shares. He tends to buy when the price is at or near the 52‑week low and sell when the price approaches the 52‑week high or when the share price has been in decline. This “buy‑low, sell‑high” approach aligns with a classic market‑timing strategy, but the frequency of trades and the small average trade size suggest that he is not a large‑scale holder but rather an active trader. The lack of any substantial long‑term positions indicates that Thomas C does not appear to be investing for the long haul; instead, he may be using the shares to hedge personal exposure or to meet tax‑planning needs.
What Could This Mean for VeriSign’s Future?
If the current trend of insider selling continues, it could dampen investor sentiment and pressure the stock price further. The company’s valuation—high P/E and negative book value—already indicates a premium over earnings. Continued insider divestments could be interpreted as a lack of confidence in the company’s ability to deliver earnings growth, especially in an industry where infrastructure costs and regulatory pressures are rising. On the other hand, the fact that senior executives are still buying and that the market cap remains in the $20 billion range suggests that VeriSign’s core business of root zone maintenance and domain registry services remains essential. The company’s resilience in a critical segment of the internet could help it weather short‑term volatility, but investors should watch for any further insider activity that might presage a shift in strategic direction or capital allocation.
Bottom Line
Indelicarto Thomas C’s recent sale is a small but meaningful data point in a larger picture of insider activity that hints at uncertainty about VeriSign’s near‑term value. Investors should weigh this against the company’s strategic importance, the continued institutional buying, and the broader market environment. As always, a diversified approach that considers both insider sentiment and fundamental metrics will serve best in navigating the current volatility.
| Date | Owner | Transaction Type | Shares | Price per Share | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-10 | Indelicarto Thomas C (EVP, Gen Counsel & Secretary) | Sell | 166.00 | 219.24 | Common Stock |




