Viavi Execs Offload Shares as Stock Nears 52-Week High—Insider Selling Signals Profit‑Taking, Not Panic

Insider Selling Signals a Mixed Message for Viavi Solutions

On February 2, 2026, senior vice‑president Gary Staley sold 22 690 shares of Viavi Solutions at an average price of $25.85, slightly below the market close of $25.98. The trade was executed in a series of small trades, suggesting a tactical divestiture rather than a panic sale. In the same filing, he also sold an additional 17 138 shares, bringing his post‑transaction holdings to 203 552 shares. With a current market cap of $5.9 billion and a 52‑week high just shy of $26, the stock is trading near its top, and the sell volume represents only a 1.6 % reduction of his holdings.

What This Means for Investors

Staley’s transaction comes on the back of a broader insider‑selling trend: over the past month, more than 30 % of Viavi executives—including the CFO and the EVP of marketing—have off‑loaded shares. Yet the volume is modest relative to their holdings, and most sales are executed at market prices or slightly below. For the average investor, this pattern signals that insiders are not in immediate distress. Instead, they may be rebalancing portfolios or taking profits after a 42 % month‑over‑month gain. The positive social‑media sentiment (+88) and high buzz (246 %) around the sale suggest that the market is reacting more to the narrative of insider activity than to any fundamental deterioration.

Staley’s Trading Profile

A review of Staley’s Form 4 filings over the last 12 months shows a consistent buying‑and‑selling rhythm. He has purchased roughly 100 k shares in nine discrete trades, often at zero‑cost (ESPP) or at prices far below market, and sold an equivalent amount in the following months. His most aggressive sale was the 28 217‑share “market‑stock‑unit” trade on September 23, 2025, reducing his holdings from 234 295 to 211 464 shares. Overall, Staley’s average holding period is around 90 days, indicating a short‑term trading style rather than a long‑term stake‑holder stance.

Future Outlook for Viavi

Despite the recent insider selling, Viavi’s fundamentals remain solid. The company’s revenue mix—heavy on high‑value optical testing and consulting services—positions it well for continued growth as telecom operators upgrade 5G and optical networks. However, the negative price‑earnings ratio (-136.225) underscores the company’s high valuation relative to earnings, and the recent sell pressure could signal a short‑term correction. For investors, a prudent approach would be to monitor the stock for a potential consolidation near the 52‑week low of $8.10, while keeping an eye on upcoming earnings releases and any new strategic initiatives that could justify the current price premium.