Verisk Analytics Shares Rally 2.00% as $0.28 Billion Volume Ranks 362nd, Insider Sales and Institutional Buys Signal Mixed Sentiment

On August 19, 2025, Verisk Analytics (VRSK) closed with a 2.00% increase, trading a volume of $0.28 billion, ranking 362nd in daily activity. Recent insider transactions included CFO Elizabeth Mann selling 300 shares at $268.00, reducing her holdings by 1.90%. Institutional investors such as Aberdeen Group and Hudson Bay Capital increased stakes, with the latter boosting its position by 225.3% in Q2. The company reported Q2 earnings of $1.88 per share, exceeding estimates, and raised its dividend to $0.45 per share, yielding 0.7%. Analysts at Morgan Stanley and UBS revised price targets, reflecting mixed sentiment with an average “Hold” rating and a $305.60 consensus price.

Verisk’s institutional ownership remains robust, with 90% held by funds and hedge funds. Recent analyst upgrades from Raymond James and Robert W. Baird highlighted confidence in its growth potential, while UBS cut its target to $300.00. The firm’s 7.8% year-over-year revenue growth and strong net margin of 30.67% underscore operational resilience. However, insider selling activity, including a 102.5% stake increase by Aberdeen Group, signals mixed signals for investor confidence. The stock’s beta of 0.83 suggests lower volatility compared to the market.

A backtest of a strategy buying the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding for one day from 2022 to 2025 showed a 31.52% total return over 365 days, with a 0.98% average daily gain. This reflects short-term momentum capture but also highlights risks from market fluctuations and timing challenges in such strategies.