Insiders Have Bought These Stocks Recently: Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX), Apache Corporation (APA), Pall Corporation (PLL)

A member of Pall Corporation (NYSE:PLL)’s Board of Directors purchased nearly 3,000 shares of stock, which nearly doubled the size of his stake in the $7.7 billion market laboratory and industrial equipment company. While net income was down in Pall’s most recent quarter (which ended in January) compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, this was entirely due to losses from discontinued operations- earnings from continued operations, as well as revenue, were up. At 19 times trailing earnings we think that the stock looks pricy, though we did find it trading only slightly above some of its peers.

Our database of insider trading filings shows that multiple insiders have been buying Boulder Brands Inc (NASDAQ:BDBD) this month. Boulder changed its name from Smart Balance in December to reflect that it currently owns not only that brand but also some recent acquisitions producing natural and diet compliant foods (gluten-free products, for example). Consensus insider purchases are particularly likely to be bullish signals. While we do think that Boulder has substantial growth opportunities from its growing Natural division, Smart Balance products- which are still responsible for about half of sales- have been struggling in the market yet the current-year P/E is 32.

We don’t particularly like Pall Corporation (NYSE:PLL), Boulder Brands, or Ultra Petroleum based on valuation. While we at Insider Monkey are unhappy with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE:FCX)’s acquisition decision, we look at where the stock trades after the market reaction and think it’s possible that investors were a bit too bearish. Apache Corporation (NYSE:APA)’s business has been struggling, but it might be worth taking a closer look to see what the chances are of it actually recovering to the degree analysts expect.

The article Insiders Have Bought These Stocks Recently originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Jake Mann.

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