The year 2025 turned out to be a rewarding one for stock investors — and an especially profitable one for corporate founders and top executives who chose to sell. According to data compiled by Washington Service, insiders across U.S. public companies sold more than $16 billion worth of stock during the year.
This wave of selling came as markets climbed higher. The S&P 500 finished the year up roughly 16%, while technology stocks delivered even stronger gains. Companies linked to artificial intelligence stood out, pushing shares of firms like Nvidia, Alphabet, and Amazon well above the broader market.
Against that backdrop, several high-profile executives used the opportunity to cash in portions of their holdings. Most of these transactions were not sudden or reactive. Instead, they were carried out through pre-planned selling programs that allow insiders to reduce exposure at regular intervals.
Below is a closer look at the five largest insider stock sellers of 2025, ranked by the total value of shares sold.
1. Jeff Bezos – Amazon
Total shares sold: 25 million
Total value sold: $5.7 billion
Jeff Bezos was, by far, the biggest insider seller of the year.
The Amazon founder — now executive chairman — sold approximately 25 million Amazon shares, collecting $5.7 billion in proceeds. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, one of his sales alone brought in about $3.5 billion.
Bezos was already in the public eye throughout 2025 for reasons beyond finance. His high-profile wedding to media personality Lauren Sánchez reportedly injected over $1 billion into Venice’s local economy. But even with the large stock sales, Bezos’ personal wealth still grew significantly.
Despite selling billions in shares, his net worth increased by roughly $15 billion over the year, thanks to Amazon’s strong stock performance. However, he slipped one position on the global rich list as other tech fortunes grew even faster.
2. Safra Katz – Oracle
Total shares sold: 12.5 million
Total value sold: $2.53 billion
Safra Katz, a longtime Oracle executive and former CEO, ranked second among insider sellers.
Oracle shares had a generally solid year, even though the company disappointed investors with a weaker-than-expected third-quarter earnings report that dragged the stock lower late in the year. Earlier in 2025, Katz exercised stock options that allowed her to sell shares worth approximately $1.8 billion.
By year-end, her total sales reached $2.53 billion, making her Oracle’s largest insider seller. Even after these transactions, Katz still holds around 1.1 million shares, keeping a meaningful stake in the company.
3. Michael Dell – Dell Technologies
Total shares sold: 16.25 million
Total value sold: $2.2 billion
Dell Technologies founder and CEO Michael Dell also took advantage of strong market conditions.
Dell sold more than 16 million shares during the year, raising about $2.2 billion. His most recent transaction alone accounted for nearly $1.9 billion of that total.
Outside of the stock market, Dell and his wife, Susan, made headlines for a different reason. The couple invested $6.25 billion into so-called “Trump Accounts,” a move that later encouraged hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio to make a similar investment.
Despite the sizable stock sales, Michael Dell remains deeply invested in his company and continues to play a central role in its long-term strategy.
4. Jensen Huang – Nvidia
Total shares sold: 6 million
Total value sold: $1.05 billion
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang benefited immensely from the artificial intelligence boom, which powered Nvidia shares to some of the strongest gains in the market.
Over the course of 2025, Huang sold 6 million shares, generating just over $1 billion in proceeds. Even after these sales, his personal wealth surged.
Huang climbed from 12th to 9th place on the global wealth rankings during the year, underscoring just how powerful Nvidia’s stock rally has been. His sales, like most on this list, followed scheduled plans rather than sudden decisions based on market timing.
5. Jayshree Ullal – Arista Networks
Total shares sold: 7.56 million
Total value sold: $976 million
Rounding out the top five is Jayshree Ullal, CEO of Arista Networks.
While she may not receive the same level of media attention as some Silicon Valley founders, Ullal’s stock sales were substantial. She sold 7.56 million shares, collecting nearly $976 million in total.
Arista Networks has benefited from strong demand for cloud networking equipment, particularly as data centers expand to support AI workloads. Ullal’s sales placed her firmly among the year’s largest insider sellers, even as the company continued to perform well.
What These Insider Sales Really Mean
At first glance, headlines about executives selling billions in stock can sound alarming. For everyday investors, insider selling is often associated with concerns about a company’s future. But the reality is more nuanced.
Most of the transactions listed above were carried out through pre-arranged selling plans, which executives set up months or even years in advance. These plans are designed to reduce the risk of selling based on non-public information and allow insiders to diversify their wealth over time.
It’s also important to note that selling does not necessarily signal a lack of confidence. Many of these executives still hold large stakes in their companies, and in several cases, their net worth increased despite the sales.
Analysis: Why 2025 Was a Prime Year for Cashing In
Several factors made 2025 an ideal time for insiders to sell:
Strong market performance: With the S&P 500 and tech stocks posting solid gains, share prices were near historic highs.
AI-driven rallies: Companies tied to artificial intelligence saw outsized gains, creating attractive opportunities for executives to lock in profits.
Wealth concentration: Founders and CEOs often have a large portion of their wealth tied to a single company. Selling shares helps reduce risk and improve financial flexibility.
Planned diversification: As executives age or shift focus to philanthropy, personal ventures, or estate planning, regular stock sales become a practical financial decision.
For investors, the key takeaway is context. Insider selling during rising markets — especially under scheduled plans — is very different from sudden, widespread selling during downturns.
Rather than signaling trouble, the 2025 insider sales trend largely reflects confidence, strong valuations, and disciplined wealth management. As long as company fundamentals remain intact, insider selling alone should not be a reason to panic.
Read also:
Trump Orders Divestment of $2.9M Chip Deal Over U.S. Security Risks
American Eagle Stock Forecast 2026: Is AEO Still a Buy After Sydney Sweeney Boost?
Warren Buffett Steps Down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO After 60 Years