Usually, when one insider buys stock, it might not be a monumental event. But when multiple insiders are buying like they did in the case of Shearwater Group plc (LON:SWG), that sends out a positive message to the company's shareholders.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing.

See our latest analysis for Shearwater Group

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Shearwater Group

The Chairman of the Board David Williams made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for UK£176k worth of shares at a price of UK£0.95 each. We do like to see buying, but this purchase was made at well below the current price of UK£1.39. Because it occurred at a lower valuation, it doesn't tell us much about whether insiders might find today's price attractive.

Shearwater Group insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Insider Ownership Of Shearwater Group

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Shearwater Group insiders own 42% of the company, currently worth about UK£14m based on the recent share price. 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 Does This Data Suggest About Shearwater Group Insiders?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Shearwater Group shares in the last quarter. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. Judging from their transactions, and high insider ownership, Shearwater Group insiders feel good about the company's future. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. In terms of investment risks, we've identified 1 warning sign with Shearwater Group and understanding it should be part of your investment process.