Westlake Execs Stick to “Vesting‑and‑Hold” Play as Scott Thomas Buys 365 Shares While CEO Loads Up on Options – No Mass Liquidations Seen.

Insider Activity Highlights Westlake’s Strategic Focus

On February 19, 2026, SVP, HIP Segment Head Scott Thomas bought 365 shares of Westlake Corp. stock, a modest purchase that reflects a continued “long‑term, hold‑and‑earn” stance by senior management. The transaction, executed at a price of $0.00 (a placeholder for a vesting‑based transaction), is part of a series of performance‑stock‑unit (PSU) vesting events that have been unfolding for Thomas over the past year. In the same day, Thomas also had a small sale of 91 shares to cover taxes on the PSU vesting, illustrating the routine nature of these transactions for high‑level executives. The net effect on his holding is a slight reduction, from 13,864 to 13,773 shares.

What This Means for Investors

Thomas’s pattern—frequent sales of restricted units, occasional purchases of common stock, and the timing of tax‑covered sales—signals that Westlake’s executive team is heavily vested in long‑term equity incentives. The lack of large, cash‑based trades suggests that insiders are not seeking to liquidate for personal reasons, but rather to align their interests with shareholders. For investors, this continuity is reassuring: insiders are not unloading stock in response to negative fundamentals, and their holdings continue to grow modestly as new grants vest. The recent product launch of the widest vinyl board and batten profile could boost revenue, but the company’s negative earnings (P/E of –12.69) and a 5.09% weekly decline indicate that market sentiment remains cautious.

Thomas’s Transaction Profile

Thomas’s historical transactions show a clear pattern:

• Restricted Stock Units (RSUs): He has repeatedly bought and sold RSUs in equal amounts, often selling them all at vesting dates (e.g., 977 RSUs sold on 2026‑02‑17).
• Common Stock: Purchases are typically larger (e.g., 10,840 shares on 2025‑10‑01) and often followed by a sale at a price above the market average (e.g., 295 shares sold at $98.95 on 2026‑02‑18).
• PSUs: The current transaction is part of a series of PSU vesting events that began in February 2023, with Thomas holding 365 shares that vested on 2026‑02‑19.

Overall, Thomas’s activity suggests he is largely a “vesting‑and‑hold” investor, preferring to let his equity awards mature and then rebalancing his portfolio with small opportunistic purchases or tax‑covered sales. This pattern is typical for senior executives in the materials sector, where long‑term exposure is viewed as a signal of confidence in the company’s future.

Broader Insider Activity Context

Westlake’s board and senior leadership are collectively engaging in a mix of equity and option trades. The president and CEO’s purchase of 109,139 options and 29,784 RSUs on February 20, 2026, demonstrates a strong commitment to long‑term upside. Meanwhile, the CFO and other EVP‑level executives are also buying options and RSUs while making modest sales. This coordinated activity points to a unified executive strategy aimed at aligning management incentives with shareholder value, rather than short‑term speculation.

Investor Takeaway

For shareholders and potential investors, the insider trading snapshot signals stability in Westlake’s leadership. The modest buying by Scott Thomas, coupled with the broader pattern of executive equity purchases, indicates confidence in the company’s product pipeline and market positioning. However, the negative earnings figure and recent stock decline underscore the need for caution. Investors should monitor the company’s earnings reports, product adoption rates, and any changes in executive compensation structures before making a decision.