Cluster of Insider Buying at Inovalon Holdings Inc. (INOV) after Slashing Guidance, Plus Other Noteworthy Pre-Holiday Insider Transactions

Executive at Well-Known Health Care Company Buys Some Shares

One member of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT)’s executive team purchased some shares prior to the start of the holiday season. Brian J. Blaser, Executive Vice President of Diagnostic Products at Abbott since early June 2012, purchased 15,580 shares on December 20 through multiple transactions at prices varying from $38.43 to $38.46 per share. Following these transactions, Mr. Blaser currently holds an ownership stake of 145,062 shares.

In late April 2016, Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) agreed to acquire medical device manufacturer St. Jude Medical Inc. (NYSE:STJ), a deal U.S. antitrust enforcers are set to approve in the near-term future. According to a fresh report from Reuters, the approval from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission could come later this week. Under the terms of the agreement inked in April, St. Jude Medical shareholders will receive $46.75 in cash and 0.8708 of Abbott shares at closing. European antitrust enforcers approved the deal in November on the condition that the soon-to-be merged company divests two devices used for cardiovascular treatments. Abbott shares are 14% in the red thus far in 2016. Ric Dillon’s Diamond Hill Capital was the owner of 11.88 million shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) at the end of the third quarter.

Cluster of Buying at Low-Priced Manufacturer of Vehicle Emissions Control Products

Three corporate insiders, including the most well-informed and influential executives, at Clean Diesel Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:CDTI) bought shares in December. To begin with, CEO Matthew Beale purchased 12,500 shares on December 16 at a price of $2.00 per share – a purchase that increased his ownership to 87,188 shares. Board member Lon E. Bell acquired 250,000 units of common stock on the same day for $2.00 each, boosting his holding to 590,494 units. Tracy A. Kern, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, bought a new stake of 10,000 shares on December 16 at $2.00 apiece.

Clean Diesel Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:CDTI), which manufactures and distributes vehicle emissions control products, has seen the value of its shares decline by 55% since the start of the year. The provider of advanced materials technology for emission controls applications has implemented a series of initiatives to improve its financial foundation since late last year, with the company having successfully streamlined operations, reduced the fixed cost base and eliminated $8.9 million in debt in August. Jim Simons’ Renaissance Technologies LLC reported owning 17,174 shares of Clean Diesel Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:CDTI) through the latest round of 13Fs.

The final page of this article will discuss recent insider selling witnessed at two other companies.