Insider Trading Buzz at Cleveland-Cliffs Highlights Mixed Stock Activity and Optimism Among Executives

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. Faces Insider Trading Buzz Amid Stock Movements

Cleveland - June 2, 2025: Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE: CLF), a significant player in the mining and steelmaking industry, has recently caught the attention of market analysts and shareholders due to notable insider trading activities. The latest data reveals a variety of transactions by company insiders over the past 12 months, highlighting various stock sales, purchases, and awards, prompting a closer look into the trends these movements reflect.

Over the last month, one of the most significant insider transactions was made by James D. Graham, an officer at Cleveland-Cliffs. On May 23, Graham sold 120,000 shares at a price of $6.85 per share, translating to a transaction value of approximately $822,036. This move stands out as a key transaction within a month largely characterized by notable sales and stock awards.

On a broader scale, the insider trading summary reveals a compelling trend. There were 86 total insider transactions recorded over the past 12 months, with 36 of these occurring within the last year. The data shows not only sales but also numerous stock awards granted at significant face values. Prominent grants include those awarded on April 23, with several directors including Michael Ralph S III and Douglas C. Taylor receiving shares as stock awards.

Despite the recent sale by Graham, the overarching pattern indicates a strong trend toward insider buying. In fact, the biggest net purchase highlight came from transactions completed in the previous months. For instance, John T. Baldwin, a director at the company, executed significant purchases in March (4,000 shares at $8.70 per share) and in the summer of 2024, acquiring 8,000 shares at $14.53 per share.

Over the past six months, insiders have demonstrated a marked trend towards accumulating company shares. The data indicates that a net of 1,002,690 shares were bought, spread across 25 purchase transactions, indicating robust confidence from company insiders in CLF's potential growth.

From an ownership perspective, commercial institutions hold a dominant share in the company, with Blackrock Inc. and Vanguard Group Inc. leading as major institutional investors. Institutional ownership in Cleveland-Cliffs remains strong at 74.95%, highlighting continued interest and support from institutional investors despite the recent insider selling.

This nuanced picture of insider trading activities at Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. underscores the complexities and diverse perspectives on the company's stock. While recent sales may raise concerns, the overarching trend of significant insider buying indicates optimism among management regarding the company's future. Shareholders and market analysts will undoubtedly keep a close watch on these insider activities as they continue to unfold.