Insider selling at Waste Management (NYSE: WM) and Ionis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: IONS) has raised attention among investors as both companies experience significant stock movements in early 2026. Waste Management saw a 25% increase since early 2025, prompting executives to sell over $25 million in shares. Despite this insider activity, institutional investors have maintained a strong bullish stance, holding approximately 80% of the stock and projecting a stable dividend yield of 1.65% with forecasts suggesting further gains.
Conversely, Ionis Pharmaceuticals is facing challenges, particularly with its declining sales from the blockbuster drug Spinraza and heavy insider sales in the first quarter of 2026. Institutions, owning over 90% of the stock, are taking profits after a more than 100% rise since 2025. However, analyst projections remain optimistic with a Moderate Buy rating from 21 analysts, anticipating a 25% upside by year-end, driven by the expected success of its treatment Olezarsen.
