We recently compiled a list of the 20 Large-Cap Stocks Insiders and Short Sellers Are Dumping Like Crazy. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) stands against the other large-cap stocks.
Uncertainty is around every corner of the U.S. stock market, affecting investors’ decisions. With President Trump’s return to the Oval Office, the market, heavily influenced by his policies, is flashing unmistakable warning signs. Short sellers and insiders are making an aggressive exit from multiple large-cap stocks. These groups are more plugged into market sentiment than the average investor, so their abandonment of stock must be looked into more closely.
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According to a CNBC report, the market indices are on track to log their worst performance in the first 100 days of a presidency since Richard Nixon’s second term as U.S. President. Meanwhile, internal selloffs are experiencing an upward trend in the market alongside bearish bets. Every day, investors wonder whether to stay put or jump overboard.
Concerning the current market situation, Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack pointed out in a recent interview that businesses are growing increasingly wary. Because of tariff concerns and policy instability, they are holding back on investments and hiring. Such hesitation is reflected in insider behavior.
Insiders, including corporate executives, board members, and major shareholders, must report their trades. In addition, in their recent filings, a troubling pattern is noticeable: they are selling more and buying less. The livelihoods and wealth of insiders are often tied directly to the company’s performance. Hence, selling shares instead of purchasing them could be seen as their way of locking in gains before tough times hit their company.
Parallel to this pattern, short sellers are also ramping up their activity. They are betting on a wave of economic uncertainty pushing down share prices. These are not moves made on a whim but stemming from a more profound structural concern regarding an organization.
Due to the current environment, the Treasury yields are climbing, and the U.S. dollar is weakening. Consequently, the prices of stocks, even the large market caps, are swinging wildly. The Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady in May and cut them later in June. Though this may seem advantageous, corporate earnings may still be pressured by higher costs and lower consumer demand, resulting in a negative outlook for equities, particularly the overvalued ones. And with their recent activities, insiders and short sellers are positioning themselves to use the opportunities to exit rather than re-enter.
According to analysts, it is not about pulling your investments by following the insiders and short sellers. Instead, it’s about understanding what is going on in the market and using the knowledge to make informed decisions about your portfolio. Historically, the exit of those closest to the financials and forecasts often precedes market corrections. By paying attention to these movements, investors can elevate the resilience of their stocks as well.
Our Methodology
We followed multiple criteria when compiling our list of the top 20 large-cap stocks being dumped by insiders and short sellers. We selected the large-cap stocks based on their market cap and stock volume. Only the companies with a market cap between $10 billion and $200 billion were included in this list since anything more would be mega-cap, and anything less is regarded as small-cap or mid-cap. Concerning stock volume, we have disregarded companies with a volume of less than 500,000. We have set the short-float limit as 5% or more to ensure that our list is made up of picks involving high bearish bets. We have included those stocks with a negative insider transaction in terms of insider selling since this signals a negative outlook for the company’s future performance. The stocks are ranked according to their short percentage of float. All the data in the article was taken from financial databases and analyst reports, with all information updated as of April 30, 2025.
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A team of scientists in lab coats surrounded by pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, researching a life-saving oncology-focused biotechnology.
Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL)
Short Float: 6.85%
Insider Transaction: -6.25%
Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) is a biotechnology company specializing in oncology therapeutics. Operating from its headquarters in California, the company is best known for its flagship drug, Cabometyx, used in renal cells and hepatocellular carcinoma. The company competes against Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer in targeted cancer treatment with this drug. Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) emphasizes internal discovery and external partnerships to accelerate pipeline development. Additionally, the company’s focus on antibody-drug conjugates and next-generation small molecules reflects a long-term value creation in precision oncology.
Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) finished the last quarter of 2024 with a 20% year-over-year growth in its U.S. cabo franchise. However, owing to increased co-pay assistance and Medicare Part D expenses, the company faces challenges in turning revenue into net income. Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) has also fallen behind in its clinical trials, which is expected to affect future earnings. Specifically, the development of zanzalintinib is compared to existing treatments like cabozantinib, thus putting competitive pressure on the company. For 2025, the company has planned to invest approximately $1 billion in R&D. However, with sequential delays in other products, skepticism prevails regarding the new R&D’s potential to generate earnings.
Around 6.85% of the company’s shares have been shorted, reflecting notable scrutiny by bearish traders. The insider transaction figure stands negative at 6.25%, indicating waning confidence among the company’s leadership circles. This negative sentiment from the market and the insiders signals a cooling outlook for Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL).
Overall EXEL ranks 17th among our list of the large-cap stocks insiders and short sellers are dumping like crazy. While we acknowledge the potential of EXEL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. 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 EXEL but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
