This article explores the 12 large-cap stocks insiders were buying in Q1 2025, before Trump’s tariff shockwave. Previously, we covered the 20 mid-cap stocks insiders were buying in Q1 2025 and 12 most expensive stocks insiders are buying after Trump’s tariff rollout.
US stocks surged last week following President Trump’s statement that he had “no intention” of removing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which helped alleviate concerns about the central bank’s independence. Additionally, Trump took a more conciliatory stance on tariffs, suggesting that high import duties on China might eventually be reduced, writes Yahoo Finance.
Amid tariff wars and market uncertainty, insider trading often draws attention. Insider stock purchases may signal executive confidence, while sales aren’t necessarily negative—they could reflect personal or diversification choices. It’s best to view insider trading in context with a company’s financials and market conditions.
Our Methodology
Today, we’re focusing on stocks that have seen heavy insider buying activity in the first quarter of the year. Using Insider Monkey’s insider trading screener, we identified companies with market caps above $10 billion, where at least two insiders purchased shares in the past three months. From this list, we ranked the top 12 stocks with the highest value of insider purchases
Our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds, focusing on insider trading and stock picks from hedge fund investor newsletters and conferences. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
Let’s take a look at the 12 large-cap stocks insiders were buying in Q1 2025 before Trump’s tariff shockwave.
12. Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW)
Market cap: $12.34 billion
Curtiss-Wright Corporation, headquartered in Davidson, North Carolina, provides advanced engineered products and services to the aerospace, defense, industrial, and power markets globally. Operating through three segments—Aerospace & Industrial, Defense Electronics, and Naval & Power—the company offers everything from flight systems and embedded electronics to naval propulsion technologies and nuclear power components. With roots tied to aviation pioneers Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, the company employs around 8,000 people and continues to develop innovative solutions across its industries.
For the year ending December 31, 2024, Curtiss-Wright reported sales of $3.1 billion, a rise from $2.85 billion in 2023. Operating income for the year increased to $529 million, compared to $484 million in the previous year.
During the first quarter of 2025, seven insiders, including the company’s CEO, CFO, and COO, acquired approximately $68,731 worth of Curtiss-Wright shares at an average price of $304.12 per share. The company’s CEO, Lynn Bamford, acquired 34 shares, increasing her ownership to 28,448 shares. The stock now trades at $327.29 per share, having lost 7.77% year-to-date. However, Curtiss-Wright stock returned 29.55% to its investors over the past 12 months.
Curtiss-Wright is also one of the 11 best American defense stocks to buy now.
11. Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF)
Market cap: $18 billion
Regions Financial Corporation, founded in 1971 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is a financial holding company offering a wide range of banking and financial services to individuals and businesses. It operates through three main segments: Corporate Bank, Consumer Bank, and Wealth Management, providing services such as commercial lending, mortgages, credit cards, investment management, and advisory solutions. The company also offers specialty financing, insurance, and investment products to a diverse client base across various sectors.
During the first quarter, two insiders purchased approximately $88,822 worth of Regions Financial shares at an average price of $24.04 per share. Currently, the stock trades at $20.02 per share, having lost 14.88%, while over the past 12 months, its share price remained relatively flat.
Regions Financial reported Q1 2025 net income of $465 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, with adjusted net income of $487 million, or $0.54 per share—marking a 36% and 20% year-over-year increase, respectively. Total revenue for the quarter reached $1.8 billion, and adjusted pre-tax pre-provision income was $774 million. Results were impacted by a $25 million pre-tax loss from a strategic securities repositioning.
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