Oracle CEO Safra Catz Sells $25 Billion in Stock, Leading U.S. Insider Sales in 2025

Oracle Corporation's CEO Safra Catz has become the most prominent insider seller in the United States for the first half of 2025. According to data, Catz sold a total of $25 billion worth of Oracle stock during this period, with $18.3 billion of that amount sold in the second quarter alone. This significant sale surpasses the stock sales of other prominent executives, including Jeff Bezos of Amazon, who also made substantial sales during the same period.

Catz's substantial sale is noteworthy for several reasons. Firstly, it underscores the confidence that top executives have in the current market conditions, as they choose to liquidate a significant portion of their holdings. Secondly, it highlights the financial health and liquidity of Oracle, as the company's stock remains a valuable asset for its executives. Lastly, it raises questions about the future direction of Oracle's stock, as large-scale insider selling can sometimes be interpreted as a bearish signal by market participants.

However, it is important to note that insider selling is a common practice among executives, who often sell shares as part of their compensation packages or to diversify their investment portfolios. Therefore, while Catz's sale is significant in terms of its size, it may not necessarily indicate a negative outlook for Oracle's stock. Investors should consider a range of factors, including the company's financial performance, market conditions, and broader economic trends, when evaluating the implications of insider selling.

Catz's second-quarter sale was conducted according to a pre-determined trading plan, coinciding with a market rebound following trade-related volatility. Oracle granted Catz an additional 5 million options in June, which she subsequently exercised along with other expiring options and sold the corresponding shares.

Catz is not the only executive taking advantage of the market's high point. Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies, sold $12.2 billion worth of stock, while Jeff Bezos sold $7.367 billion worth of Amazon stock. This was Bezos's first stock sale of the year under a new trading plan that allows him to sell up to $50 billion worth of stock by May 2026.

Other notable insider sales include David Baszucki, CEO of Roblox, who sold $6.31 billion worth of stock, Max De Groote, a director at Nutanix, who sold $4.21 billion, Michael Rees, co-CEO of Blue Owl Capital, who sold $3.96 billion, and Gerald Chen, a director at Applovin, who sold $3.41 billion. Mark Stevens, a director at NVIDIA, sold $2.88 billion worth of stock and indicated plans to sell more. Larry Robbins, a member of the CVS Health board, sold $2.54 billion worth of stock.

Overall, insider trading activity has slowed compared to last year. Reports indicate that 6,000 insiders sold a total of $360 billion worth of stock in the second quarter, down from $620 billion in the same period last year. This trend suggests that while some executives are taking advantage of high stock prices, others may be more cautious about selling their shares.