Congress Trading: Legislators or Day Traders?

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Walton Family & Execs Massive Sales

In recent developments at Walmart Inc., a flurry of insider selling has caught the attention of market watchers. Prominent figures from the Walton family, alongside key executive vice presidents, have made significant divestments. Notably, on March 1, 2024, members of the Walton family each sold over 2 million shares, a move mirrored by executives Furner John R. and Brand Rachel L., though on a smaller scale.

The Trades:

This wave of insider selling occurs amidst a notable uptick in Walmart's share price, presenting a complex narrative to investors. While insider sales can often signal a variety of motivations, ranging from personal financial planning to concerns over the company’s future prospects, the substantial sales by the Waltons, given their foundational role in Walmart, merit particular scrutiny.

The most notable of the trades are the Walton family — selling in total $4.5 billion worth of stock.

Each sibling (Jim, Alice, and Rob) sold $1.5 billion, the trades were reported after market close Friday (Feb. 23) — most likely to avoid media coverage

What don't they want us to know?

Nancy Pelosi Continues to Win Big

Nancy Pelosi has already made 10x her annual salary in less than 100 days off one trade.

She's up nearly $2,000,000 on her $NVDA call options.

Congratulations to anyone who followed the queen.

The Trade:

Want to get alerted whenever Nancy trades?

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JPMorgan’s Top Executive Cashes Out (guess who?)

In a notable move within the financial sector, JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s Chairman and CEO, Jamie Dimon, executed a significant sale of 821,778 shares on February 22, 2024, for a total of $150,167,221. This transaction represents a substantial decrease of 57.99% in his holdings, signaling a major financial decision at a personal level against a backdrop of a rising share price.

The Trade:

February’s Top 10 Congress High-roller Traders

In a riveting revelation of financial prowess, the Congressional Trading League (Congress’ Most Professional Traders only) has its high-rollers playing in big numbers, making moves that would make even seasoned investors take note. Leading the pack, Senator Tommy Tuberville from Alabama showcases a staggering 44 trades, amounting to a total of $1,153,522, with an average stake of $26,216 per trade. This strategic play suggests a diversified and active approach to portfolio management, aligning more with professional trading strategies than casual investing (or being a public servant, their actual job).

Not far behind, Nancy Pelosi, with just 2 trades, manages to command an impressive total of $925,001, averaging a jaw-dropping $462,501 per trade, signaling high conviction moves. Kathy Manning, engaging in the highest number of trades at 47, totals $670,024, with a more modest average of $14,256, indicating a strategy that mixes volume with calculated risk.

As these Congressional members navigate the financial markets with significant sums, their trading activity not only highlights their active engagement with their portfolios but also raises the curtain on the scale of investment strategies employed by America's lawmakers. Whether driven by in-depth market analysis or insider insights, the size and frequency of these trades provide a fascinating glimpse into the investment mindset of some of the nation's most influential political figures.

February’s Most Active Day-Traders in Congress

In a surprising twist that could rival any Wall Street saga, it appears the hallowed halls of Congress have morphed into an unlikely trading floor, with members seemingly embracing the art of day trading with zeal. Leading the charge, Kathy Manning, a Democrat from North Carolina, has executed an impressive 47 trades, closely followed by Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, who isn't far behind with 44 trades. Not to be outdone, Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey rounds out the top three, showcasing his financial acumen with 37 trades.

One might wonder if there's been a mix-up in job descriptions, as these figures suggest some members are moonlighting as Wall Street brokers rather than focusing on legislative duties. With trade counts soaring into the double digits, it's a humorous, if not slightly alarming, notion that our elected officials might be more preoccupied with the NASDAQ than with passing new legislation.

Top 10 Congress Purchases of the Month

The Queen is back. Nancy Pelosi's strategic moves into Palo Alto Networks take center stage in this month's congressional trading activity, with a remarkable investment ranging between $500k and $1m, underscoring a significant commitment to cybersecurity. This initiative is part of a broader strategy, complemented by another transaction in the same firm, valued between $100k and $250k, sparking curiosity about the insights fueling her investment decisions.

What does she know?