Moderna’s CEO Just Spent $5M on Stock – What Does He Know That We Don’t?

When markets are shaky, investors look for signs of stability. One of the strongest signals? When the people running the companies—those who know their businesses inside and out—start putting their own money on the line.

Recently, the CEOs of Moderna, Akamai Technologies, and FMC Corporation made big personal investments in their company stocks, even as their shares struggled. That’s not something executives do lightly, and it raises an interesting question: Do they see something the rest of us don’t?

Let’s break down why these industry leaders are making bold moves, what challenges their companies are facing, and whether this is a sign of something bigger.

Moderna’s CEO Makes a Surprising Bet on His Own Company

If there’s one move that really caught people’s attention, it was Stéphane Bancel’s $5 million stock purchase in Moderna. The biotech company made its name as a leader in COVID-19 vaccines, but its stock has dropped nearly 70% in the past year as demand for those vaccines faded. On top of that, Moderna’s 2024 revenue plunged more than 50% compared to the year before.

So why is Bancel suddenly buying now?

What makes this move even more surprising is that it’s the first time he’s bought Moderna stock on the open market since he became CEO in 2011. Up until now, he’s mostly been selling shares. The fact that he’s now investing his own money suggests he genuinely believes the company is on the verge of a rebound.

Moderna has been aggressively expanding beyond COVID vaccines, working on mRNA-based treatments for flu, RSV, and even cancer. If those drugs gain traction, Moderna could have another major growth phase ahead. And Bancel’s sudden willingness to buy into the company’s future is giving investors a reason to pay attention.

In fact, the market reacted almost instantly—Moderna’s stock jumped 16% the day after his purchase.

Akamai’s CEO is Doubling Down Amid Market Skepticism

Over at Akamai Technologies, CEO Tom Leighton also made a major stock purchase, snapping up $3 million worth of shares on February 27, 2025.

Akamai, best known for its internet security and cloud services, had just delivered a disappointing earnings outlook that sent its stock tumbling. But instead of backing down, Leighton doubled down on his own company.

In an email to investors, he made it clear that he sees huge potential in Akamai’s cloud infrastructure business. According to him, that segment alone is expected to grow 40%-45% this year, and even more in the long run.

If he’s right, Akamai could be positioning itself as a major player in the fast-growing cloud computing industry—something that Wall Street may be underestimating right now.

FMC’s CEO Sees an Opportunity in His Own Stock’s Decline

Meanwhile, Pierre R. Brondeau, CEO of FMC Corporation, made his own move, investing $1.9 million into FMC stock on March 4, 2025.

FMC, which specializes in agricultural sciences and crop protection solutions, has seen its stock drop 23% over the past year, thanks to market uncertainty and declining agricultural demand. But instead of being discouraged, Brondeau saw this as a buying opportunity.

In fact, he now owns nearly 300,000 shares of his own company—a sign that he’s not just talking about confidence, he’s literally putting his money where his mouth is.

Why Insider Buying Matters

When a CEO buys stock in their own company, it’s a huge confidence signal. Unlike regular investors, they have access to every piece of inside information—from upcoming product launches to revenue forecasts.

But it’s not just about what they know. These executives already earn millions in salary and bonuses. They don’t need to buy stock unless they truly believe it’s undervalued and that they’ll make money in the long run.

Of course, insider buying isn’t a guarantee that a stock will go up. Many things—economic downturns, industry trends, global events—can still impact share prices. But one thing is clear: These CEOs aren’t just making small gestures. They’re making big bets.

What This Means for Investors

After these stock purchases, all three companies saw an increase in investor interest. Moderna, in particular, saw a massive stock jump immediately after Bancel’s purchase.

But should everyday investors follow their lead?

Here’s the case for optimism:

• These executives know their companies better than anyone else.
• They’re investing at a time when their stock prices are near lows, meaning they might see a strong recovery.
• Their businesses are all in growth industries—biotech, cloud computing, and agricultural sciences—which have long-term potential.

Here’s the case for caution:

• Insider buying is a good signal, but not a guarantee. Many things can still go wrong.
• These companies have faced major challenges, and it’s unclear how long it will take for them to bounce back.
• Market conditions remain volatile, and outside factors could still impact stock performance.

At the end of the day, these CEO moves suggest they see something that makes them believe their companies are worth more than their current market value. Whether that turns out to be true remains to be seen—but one thing is for sure: Wall Street is paying attention.

Final Thought: Are These Stocks Set for a Comeback?

The fact that three high-profile CEOs are buying their own stocks at the same time is hard to ignore. It’s a strong signal that they believe their companies are undervalued and that the worst might be over.

For investors, this raises a big question: Is now the time to get in, or is this just a temporary confidence boost?

Whatever happens next, one thing is certain—when top executives start making big bets, the market listens.