Many Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (NYSE:HLX) insiders ditched their stock over the past year, which may be of interest to the company's shareholders. Knowing whether insiders are buying is usually more helpful when evaluating insider transactions, as insider selling can have various explanations. However, shareholders should take a deeper look if several insiders are selling stock over a specific time period.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing.

Helix Energy Solutions Group Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

In the last twelve months, the biggest single sale by an insider was when the President, Owen Kratz, sold US$3.7m worth of shares at a price of US$11.83 per share. We generally don't like to see insider selling, but the lower the sale price, the more it concerns us. It's of some comfort that this sale was conducted at a price well above the current share price, which is US$10.28. So it may not tell us anything about how insiders feel about the current share price.

Insiders in Helix Energy Solutions Group didn't buy any shares in the last year. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

For those who like to find hidden gems this free list of small cap companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Insiders At Helix Energy Solutions Group Have Sold Stock Recently

We have seen a bit of insider selling at Helix Energy Solutions Group, over the last three months. Independent Director Diana Glassman only netted US$30k selling shares, in that period. Neither the lack of buying nor the presence of selling is heartening. But the selling simply isn't sufficiently substantial to be of much use as a signal.

Insider Ownership

I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. It's great to see that Helix Energy Solutions Group insiders own 6.2% of the company, worth about US$100m. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders.

What Might The Insider Transactions At Helix Energy Solutions Group Tell Us?

While there has not been any insider buying in the last three months, there has been selling. But the sales were small, so we're not concerned. While we feel good about high insider ownership of Helix Energy Solutions Group, we can't say the same about the selling of shares. Of course, the future is what matters most. So if you are interested in Helix Energy Solutions Group, you should check out this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

Of course Helix Energy Solutions Group may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of high quality companies.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.