Key Points
- Amazon is the most sold stock in 2024 based on the shares sold and value, but investors shouldn't be worried.
- Meta Platforms is the most sold stock in terms of the number of transactions, 185: share-based compensation is why.
- Intuitive Surgical is the most sold in terms of the number of insiders selling, nearly a dozen, but higher share prices are going because of its leadership position.
Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG) are the stocks most sold by insiders in 2024, but investors should buy them all. While not closely related, they all are ground-breaking technology that has had a long-lasting impact on daily life. The effect is ingrained in global society and continues to alter how we live today. It will continue to do so long into the future, driving shareholder value all the while. Other unifying factors include the use and advancement of AI, which spans from the foundations of infrastructure to its most advanced applications. This factor assures their leadership positions will remain intact long into the future.
Share-Based Compensation Is Why These Stocks Are Most Sold
Share-based compensation is the primary factor in why these stocks are the most sold. All three use share-based compensation, fueling insider selling sparked by rising share prices. All three stocks have increased more than 100% in the last eighteen months, led by a 500% advance for Meta Platforms.
Meta Platforms insiders are likely to continue selling shares at current prices, and higher prices are expected. The 2024 results were solid, showing the impact of investment and the effectiveness of AI on user metrics and internal operations. This led analysts to lift their price targets and lead the market. The revision trend suggests a move above $800 is possible in 2025, a gain of 35% from the January 1, 2025 opening bid.
Meta Platforms is the most sold stock in terms of the number of insiders selling. Ten insiders sold 185 times in 2024, including numerous sales by CEO Mark Zuckerburg, the COO, GC, CFO, CAO, and CTO. Despite this, they and other large insiders still own more than 13% of the stock and provide a solid support base. Institutions also provide support. The institutional activity is mixed quarterly in 2024 but bullish on balance and bullish in Q4, aiding the move to new highs. The first reports from 2025 are also bullish, with several private money managers increasing their holdings.
Amazon Is Most Sold Regarding Shares and Dollar Value
Amazon was the most sold stock of 2024, with over 44.4 million shares sold, valued at nearly $8 billion. InsiderTrades.com tracked 52 sales by 11 insiders, including founder Jeff Bezos, CEO Andrew Jassy, segment CEOs, and board members, who are likely to continue selling in 2025. Despite the activity, the group still owns more than 10% of the company, and their sales raised no red flags.
Institutional activity more than offsets Amazon’s insider selling. Institutions bought on balance every quarter of 2024, and activity remained steady through the year’s end. The first reports show institutions continuing to buy in 2025, with significant position increases from numerous public and private money managers. The analysts’ activity aligns with this trend, including steady revisions from more than 40. They peg the stock at a Moderate Buy and see it rising another 20% in 2025.
Intuitive Surgical Is an Intuitively Good Buy
Intuitive Surgical is the leading medtech stock and a leading healthcare name that provides robotic surgical devices. The da Vinci is in demand, with placements and comp procedure counts growing steadily quarterly and year-over-year. Among the critical details is the company’s recurring revenue, which is tied to procedure volume and supplies. Its use of AI centers on assisting operations and procedures, including remotely assisted procedures.
Cash flow is also important. The company's robust cash flow allows it to maintain its spotless balance sheet while investing in growth and R&D. Highlights include a net cash position relative to total liability, cash equal to 4x liability, and rising equity. Equity was up 17% in 2024 and will likely increase another double-digit figure in 2025.
Regarding insider selling, Intuitive Surgical is the most sold by the number of insiders selling. InsiderTrades tracks 57 sales by 16 insiders, including the CEO, CFO, and several EVPs and SVPs. They still own about 1% of the stock, a small amount compounded by the institutions. Institutions bought this stock every quarter of 2024 and in the first three days of 2025.
Companies in This Article:
| Company | Current Price | Price Change | Dividend Yield | P/E Ratio | Consensus Rating | Consensus Price Target |
|---|
| Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) | $575.34 | +1.2% | N/A | 76.10 | Moderate Buy | $607.17 |
| Meta Platforms (META) | $673.42 | +1.8% | 0.31% | 29.74 | Moderate Buy | $821.63 |
| Amazon.com (AMZN) | $229.53 | +0.2% | N/A | 32.42 | Moderate Buy | $295.93 |
Experience
Thomas Hughes has been a contributing writer for InsiderTrades.com since 2019.
- Professional Background: Thomas Hughes is the Managing Partner of Passive Market Intelligence LLC, a market research platform he launched in 2023 with the mission: “We watch the market so you don't have to.” He has worked as a blogger, stock market commentator, and independent analyst since 2010 and has been actively involved in trading and investing since 2005.
- Credentials: He holds an Associate of Arts in Culinary Technology—training that honed his discipline, attention to detail, and ability to anticipate outcomes, all of which carry over into his work as a market analyst.
- Finance Experience: Thomas has been writing about finance and investing since 2011, when he discovered it could be more than a personal passion—it could be a profession. He’s been a contributing writer for InsiderTrades.com since 2019.
- Writing Focus: He specializes in the S&P 500, small-cap stocks, dividend and high-yield strategies, consumer staples, retail, technology, oil, and cryptocurrencies. His analysis blends chart-based technical setups with key fundamental insights, helping readers identify actionable trends.
- Investment Approach: Thomas takes a hybrid approach that combines technical analysis with deep fundamental research. He often writes about macroeconomic shifts, earnings trends, and sentiment-based trading signals.
- Inspiration: Thomas first became interested in stocks after attending a seminar on how to buy and sell your own shares. That event opened his eyes to the market's potential and sparked a lifelong interest in investing.
- Fun Fact: Thomas took up model railroading by accident a few years ago—and now he can’t stop running the rails.
- Areas of Expertise: Technical and fundamental analysis, S&P 500, retail and consumer sectors, dividends, market trends
Education
Associate of Arts in Culinary Technology
