Insider Trading January 23, 2026

Century Aluminum CEO Executes $7.2 Million Stock Sale Amid High Market Valuation

Gary's pre-arranged share sale coincides with Century Aluminum's stock near annual peak and robust sector attention

By Priya Menon CENX
Century Aluminum CEO Executes $7.2 Million Stock Sale Amid High Market Valuation
CENX

Jesse E. Gary, President and CEO of Century Aluminum, divested 150,000 shares at an average price of $48.19 per share, accumulating over $7.2 million in proceeds. This transaction occurred as the stock traded close to its 52-week high and followed a structured trading plan under Rule 10b5-1. Despite recent misses on earnings targets, Century Aluminum’s shares have shown significant appreciation, reflecting a complex market environment. Additional institutional actions highlight active repositioning within the company's equity.

Key Points

  • CEO Jesse E. Gary sold 150,000 Century Aluminum shares for over $7.2 million under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.
  • Century Aluminum's stock price is trading near a 52-week high following a 148% surge over the past year, with a particularly high market valuation as reflected in its P/E ratio of 58.7.
  • Recent corporate developments include an analyst Buy rating with a $42 target and Glencore Plc’s sizable stake sale at a discounted block price, pointing to active market repositioning.

On January 23, 2026, Century Aluminum's President and Chief Executive Officer, Jesse E. Gary, moved forward with a significant stock sale, disposing of 150,000 shares of the company's common stock. The shares sold brought in a substantial $7,228,500, utilizing a weighted average sale price of $48.19. The pricing for each share varied between $46.64 and $49.11, indicating transactions well aligned with the company’s recent high trading range.

This share sale happened as Century Aluminum's equity neared a 52-week peak, trading close to $50.16, and following an impressive 148% rise in the stock's value over the past year. The timing and structure of the transaction were governed by a pre-established Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, which Gary adopted on August 20, 2025, allowing for systematic and legally compliant stock disposals.

Post-transaction, Gary still retains a noteworthy position comprising 292,580 shares held within a self-settled and revocable trust under his control. Prior to this sale, on January 12, 2026, he engaged in an internal share transfer, moving 314,611 shares into that trust at no monetary value while simultaneously realigning an equal number of shares to his personal ownership from the trust. This maneuver might suggest estate planning or internal asset management considerations.

Century Aluminum currently displays a high price-to-earnings ratio of 58.7, a figure that signals elevated investor confidence in the company’s future performance prospects. Analyses identify multiple critical insights into Century Aluminum's business dynamics and market positioning that investors may consider when evaluating the stock.

The company has a notable market capitalization of $4.55 billion and has experienced a strong 113% price appreciation over just the last six months, despite the typically volatile nature of the aluminum industry. The sector's inherent fluctuations continue to impact pricing and trading activity.

In recent earnings updates, Century Aluminum's third-quarter results for 2025 fell short of analysts' expectations concerning earnings per share. Interestingly, the stock reacted with a slight uptick in after-hours trading, reflecting nuanced investor sentiment possibly influenced by other strategic factors.

Further developments impacting the company's market perception include Texas Capital Securities launching coverage on the stock with a Buy rating and a price target of $42.00, forecasting approximately 30% upside potential. Conversely, Glencore Plc has announced intentions to divest a considerable stake in Century Aluminum through an overnight block sale valued up to $284.9 million. The shares involved in this transaction are marketed at a discount, priced between $30.65 and $31.65, which contrasts with the current stock trading range.

These multifaceted activities capture a dynamic phase for Century Aluminum, as elements including executive insider transactions, analyst recommendations, and large-scale shareholder movements collectively shape the company's equity outlook.

Risks

  • Earnings per share for the third quarter of 2025 missed analyst projections, indicating potential performance concerns.
  • The aluminum sector exhibits typical volatility which can impact Century Aluminum's share price and investor confidence.
  • Glencore's plan to sell a large stake at a discount may exert downward pressure on the stock and adds to market uncertainty.

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