Record stock gains for Tempus AI while insiders quietly sell off
I want to walk you through an interesting move happening in the markets lately: insiders at Tempus AI are selling shares even as the stock has been on a tear. What does that mean? Let’s dig in carefully.
What’s Happening: Insiders Are Selling
I noticed that several top executives and directors at Tempus AI stock people with inside knowledge have sold shares recently.
We’re not talking tiny amounts. For example:
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The CEO, Eric Lefkofsky, sold 332,500 shares at an average price of $76.56 in late September. The COO, Ryan Fukushima, offloaded 5,000 shares at about $92.32.
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A director, Theodore Leonsis, sold 33 % of his holding that’s millions of dollars worth.
These kinds of sales stand out especially now, because the stock is surging. That contrast raises questions.
Why the Stock is Surging
We can’t ignore the flip side: Tempus AI is seeing big gains, and there are reasons behind that jump.
I observed these drivers:
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In its Q2 2025 results, Tempus AI reported ~89.6 % year-over-year revenue growth.
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Their Genomics business (oncology and hereditary testing) soared, and their “Data & Services” arm also saw strong gains.
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The stock has recently hit all-time highs, reflecting investor excitement.
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They’ve also been getting FDA clearances (e.g. for their “Tempus Pixel” imaging platform) which gives more legitimacy to their tech
So, insiders are selling while the stock has momentum. That juxtaposition is what makes this story intriguing.
Possible Reasons Behind Insider Selling
I want to be clear: insider selling is not automatically bad. But it does send signals. Here are some possible explanations I see:
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Lock-in profits
Some insiders may want to realize gains after a strong run. If someone bought earlier (when prices were low) and now it's high, selling makes sense. -
Tax obligations or personal needs
Executives often sell shares to pay taxes or for liquidity in their personal finances. -
Pre-arranged trading plans (Rule 10b5-1)
Many of these sales are likely under Rule 10b5-1 plans these are schedules made in advance so insiders can sell at specified times without the accusation of trading on nonpublic info. -
Signal of caution
If insiders believe the stock is overvalued, or anticipate a cooldown, they may reduce exposure. -
No insider buying lately
Over the past year, I saw almost zero insider purchases in Tempus AI.
That absence of "buying while price is up" can dampen confidence.
What It Could Mean for Investors
I want to walk you through what I think the implications are (without claiming certainty):
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The contrast between strong company performance + insider selling creates a mixed message. On one hand, results show momentum. On the other, insiders taking chips off the table could hint at caution.
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Because many sales are under 10b5-1 plans, we shouldn’t over-interpret each sale as a red flag. They might have been planned months in advance. But the volume matters, and it can influence sentiment.
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For new or potential investors, this is a reminder to dig deeper not just in headlines but into fundamentals, governance, and whether the company can sustain its growth.
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For current holders, it may be wise to temper expectations. Strong returns are possible, but volatility risk is high.
Real-World Example (What We Can Learn)
Let me illustrate with a story:
They invested early in AI and health tech. When Tempus AI stock started rising, insiders had big paper gains. But instead of holding it all until later, they sold some portion some via scheduled plans they had set earlier.
It’s like a gardener harvesting fruit: you don’t wait until all apples are perfect, you pick some early to ensure some gain. But if you pick too soon, you might miss more ripening.
So when we see big insider sales, we should ask: how much, when, and under what plan? Those details hint whether insiders are confident or cautious.
What I’d Watch Going Forward
I’m keeping an eye on these signals:
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Any insider purchases (if insiders start buying, that’s a strong positive).
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Whether future insider selling accelerates or slows.
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How earnings, FDA approvals, and product launches perform.
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Institutional investor activity (big funds increasing or decreasing holdings).
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The broader AI / health tech sector trends if the whole sector slows, Tempus may feel the drag.
Final Thoughts
We’ve looked at how insiders at Tempus AI stock are selling shares during a stock upswing, why that could be happening, and what it might mean for investors.
I remain cautious but curious. This isn’t a clear “sell signal,” but it’s something any investor in Tempus AI needs to monitor closely.
If you like, I can run a scenario analysis—projecting what happens if insiders keep selling, or if they reverse and start buying. Do you want me to do that next?

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