WEC Energy Group Insider Anthony Balances Shares Amid Earnings Revision and $150M Charge: Buying, Selling, and Confidence Signals a Resilient Utilities Outlook

Insider Activity Highlights a Strategic Shift

Reese Anthony, the Vice President and Treasurer of WEC Energy Group, completed a series of transactions on January 2, 2026 that collectively altered his shareholding. Anthony bought 433 shares at the current market price of $105.95 and sold 114 shares at $106.09, followed by a sale of 38 shares at $105.05 on January 5. These moves leave him with 2,038 shares—down from the 3,178 shares reported under the company’s Employee Retirement Savings Plan. The net effect of the trades is a modest reduction in his overall stake, but the timing—right after the company’s earnings revision and a $150 million charge—suggests a careful rebalancing rather than a panic sale.

Market‑Timing and Portfolio Management

The volume of Anthony’s transactions is relatively small compared to the daily trading volume of WEC shares, which hovered around $106 per share during the period. Yet, insiders’ actions often signal confidence or concern. Anthony’s purchase of 433 shares indicates that, despite the earnings downgrade, he believes the company remains a solid long‑term investment. The subsequent sales may be a liquidity maneuver, perhaps to fund other ventures or to align with personal tax planning. Importantly, the trades were executed at prices close to the closing market, suggesting no attempt to manipulate the price and a reliance on the market’s valuation.

Company‑Wide Insider Trend

WEC’s insider activity in late 2025 shows a mix of sales and phantom‑stock awards. Notably, Joshua Erickson sold 100 shares at $112.47 on November 7, while several executives received phantom stock units in October at $115.22. The phantom‑stock awards—common in utilities to retain talent—imply that the company is committed to long‑term incentives rather than short‑term cash outflows. This pattern contrasts with Anthony’s modest selling and buying, reinforcing the view that insiders view the company’s fundamentals as stable.

Implications for Investors

For retail and institutional investors, Anthony’s net decrease in holdings is unlikely to trigger a significant price move, given the scale of the trades relative to the company’s market cap ($34.6 billion). However, the fact that insiders are still buying shares (even if in small amounts) may be interpreted as a vote of confidence, especially when coupled with the company’s commitment to phantom stock awards. The earnings revision and the $150 million charge will continue to weigh on short‑term sentiment, but the overall trend suggests that insiders expect the utilities business to remain resilient. Investors should monitor subsequent quarterly filings for any shifts in insider positions, as those moves often precede material corporate events or strategic realignments.