Verisk Analytics Plunge Driven by Insider Selling as $270M Volume Ranks 358th in U.S.

On August 18, 2025, Verisk Analytics (VRSK) fell 0.81% to $267.86, with a trading volume of $270 million, ranking 358th among U.S. stocks by volume. The decline followed insider sales totaling 1,400 shares by key executives under pre-established 10b5-1 trading plans. CFO Elizabeth Mann sold 300 shares at $268, retaining 15,465 beneficial shares, while CEO Lee Shavel disposed of 2,200 shares across two transactions at $268–268.01, leaving him with 78,907 shares. The trades, disclosed via SEC Form 4 filings, were executed automatically and did not involve ad hoc decisions.

Insider selling trends accelerated in Q1 2025, with executives offloading 23,120 shares worth $7.19 million. Institutional investors also adjusted positions, including a 10.3% reduction by Akre Capital Management LLC. Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with price targets ranging from $300 to $335 and an average “Hold” rating. Verisk’s recent quarterly earnings exceeded estimates, reporting $1.88 EPS and 7.8% revenue growth year-over-year, though its 30.67% net margin and 10.34 debt-to-equity ratio highlight operational risks.

A backtested strategy of holding the top 500 volume stocks for one day from 2022 to 2025 yielded a 6.98% compound annual growth rate, with a peak drawdown of 15.46% in mid-2023. The approach showed steady returns but underscored the volatility inherent in high-volume trading, particularly during market corrections.