Some Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (NYSE:HLX) shareholders may be a little concerned to see that the President, Owen Kratz, recently sold a substantial US$3.7m worth of stock at a price of US$11.79 per share. However, that sale only accounted for 4.0% of their holding, so arguably it doesn't say much about their conviction.

Helix Energy Solutions Group Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Notably, that recent sale by Owen Kratz is the biggest insider sale of Helix Energy Solutions Group shares that we've seen in the last year. So we know that an insider sold shares at around the present share price of US$11.20. While insider selling is a negative, to us, it is more negative if the shares are sold at a lower price. We note that this sale took place at around the current price, so it isn't a major concern, though it's hardly a good sign.

In the last year Helix Energy Solutions Group insiders didn't buy any company stock. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

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Insider Ownership Of Helix Energy Solutions Group

Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. Helix Energy Solutions Group insiders own about US$109m worth of shares (which is 6.4% of the company). This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders.

So What Do The Helix Energy Solutions Group Insider Transactions Indicate?

Insiders sold stock recently, but they haven't been buying. Looking to the last twelve months, our data doesn't show any insider buying. The company boasts high insider ownership, but we're a little hesitant, given the history of share sales. In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing Helix Energy Solutions Group. To assist with this, we've discovered 1 warning sign that you should run your eye over to get a better picture of Helix Energy Solutions Group.

But note: Helix Energy Solutions Group may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.