12 Large-Cap Stocks Insiders Were Buying in Q1 2025 Before Trump’s Tariff Shockwave

1. TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:TKO)

Market cap: $12.17 billion

TKO Group is a global sports and entertainment company created through the merger of WWE and the UFC. It produces and licenses live events and media content, reaching over 1 billion households in around 210 countries. Each year, TKO hosts more than 300 live events, drawing in over two million fans.

In the first quarter, five insiders, including the company’s CEO Ariel Emanuel, purchased a total of $906.13 million worth of TKO Group shares at an average price of $159.67. Emanuel acquired around $300.86 million worth of shares in the quarter, increasing his ownership to 2.19 million shares. Year-to-date, the stock is up 6.25% trading at $150.99. Over the past 12 months, TKO Group stock returned 57.46% to its investors.

TKO Group reported full-year 2024 revenue of $2.8 billion, up from $1.68 billion in 2023. Net income came in at $6.5 million, a significant drop from $175.7 million the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA rose 55% to $1.251 billion, driven by a $518.1 million increase from WWE and a $45.3 million boost from UFC, though partially offset by a $121.3 million rise in corporate expenses. Free cash flow improved to $508.5 million, up $88.7 million from the prior year, thanks to stronger operating cash flows, despite higher capital expenditures.

Looking ahead to 2025, TKO is projecting revenue of $2.93 billion to $3.00 billion, with adjusted EBITDA expected to range from $1.35 billion to $1.39 billion.

In a recent development, WWE, part of TKO, has acquired Mexican lucha libre promotion AAA in partnership with Fillip, a Mexico-based entertainment company. The deal was announced during the WrestleMania 41 Saturday Countdown show in Las Vegas. AAA will continue to operate with involvement from the Peña family alongside WWE and Fillip.

TKO Group is also among the top 10 stocks to buy according to XN Exponent Advisors LLC.

Overall, TKO ranks first among the 12 large-cap stocks insiders were buying in Q1 2025 before Trump’s tariff shockwave. While we acknowledge the potential of TKO, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than TKO but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.

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