Insider Buying Amid a Quiet Rally
On January 31 2026, Chief Financial Officer Matt Abernathy executed a purchase of 2,437 shares of Neurocrine Biosciences at the market close of $139.00. The transaction follows a pattern of modest purchases and sales that began with a 218‑share buy in August 2025 under the company’s employee‑stock‑purchase plan. The CFO’s latest acquisition is the first new purchase in 18 days, subsequent to a series of restricted‑stock‑unit (RSU) vestings that triggered a tax‑withholding sale of 1,368 shares at the then‑market price of $136.06.
The CFO’s net shareholdings increased from 37,097 to 38,465 shares—a rise of roughly 3 %. Although the dollar value of the purchase (≈ $51 000) is small relative to the company’s market capitalization of $13.6 billion, it signals confidence in Neurocrine’s near‑term prospects. In contrast, other top executives—CEO, COO, and CRO—have been actively buying and selling comparable volumes of common stock, indicating that insiders are maintaining liquidity while expressing long‑term belief in the company’s pipeline.
Market Context and Investor Sentiment
The CFO’s purchase coincides with a 3.8 % weekly gain and a 2.2 % monthly gain in the stock, after the share price has climbed from a year‑low of $84 to a 52‑week high of $160. The acquisition occurs at a time when the stock is near the 52‑week low, suggesting that insiders are willing to pay a premium for the company’s growth story. A sentiment score of –32 and a buzz of 700 % indicate that social‑media chatter is intense but slightly negative, possibly driven by the recent Phase‑2 study announcement. Insider buying, however, tends to counterbalance short‑term negative sentiment and can provide a signal of confidence that is independent of market noise.
Implications for Neurocrine’s Future
Neurocrine’s therapeutic pipeline—covering neuropsychiatric, neuroinflammatory, and neurodegenerative indications—is still in early‑phase development. The latest Phase‑2 study of NBI‑1065890 is scheduled to provide more definitive data. The CFO’s purchase, coupled with other executives’ consistent buying, suggests that senior management believes the upcoming data will justify a higher valuation. Investors should monitor the Phase‑2 results: a positive outcome could trigger a sustained rally, whereas a setback might amplify the current social‑media buzz and erode confidence.
Bottom Line for Investors
- Insider confidence is modest but positive: A 3 % increase in the CFO’s holdings amid a volatile but upward‑trending market.
- Social‑media intensity is high: A 700 % buzz score indicates that any company news will be amplified quickly; insider buying can help temper overly negative narratives.
- Pipeline‑driven upside remains: Positive Phase‑2 data for NBI‑1065890 could justify a further rally, whereas negative data could lead to a sell‑off.
Overall, the CFO’s purchase is a small but encouraging sign that senior leadership remains optimistic about Neurocrine’s prospects, even as the stock remains subject to the inherent risks of early‑stage biotech development.
| Date | Owner | Transaction Type | Shares | Price per Share | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026‑01‑31 | ABERNETHY MATT (Chief Financial Officer) | Buy | 2,437.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026‑01‑31 | ABERNETHY MATT (Chief Financial Officer) | Sell | 1,368.00 | 136.06 | Common Stock |
| 2026‑01‑31 | ABERNETHY MATT (Chief Financial Officer) | Sell | 2,437.00 | N/A | Restricted Stock Unit |
| 2026‑01‑31 | COOKE Julie (Chief Human Resources Officer) | Buy | 1,741.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026‑01‑31 | COOKE Julie (Chief Human Resources Officer) | Sell | 997.00 | 136.06 | Common Stock |
| 2026‑01‑31 | COOKE Julie (Chief Human Resources Officer) | Sell | 1,741.00 | N/A | Restricted Stock Unit |
| 2026‑01‑31 | DELAET Ingrid (Chief Regulatory Officer) | Buy | 801.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026‑01‑31 | DELAET Ingrid (Chief Regulatory Officer) | Sell | 475.00 | 136.06 | Common Stock |
| 2026‑01‑31 | DELAET Ingrid (Chief Regulatory Officer) | Sell | 801.00 | N/A | Restriced Stock Unit |
| 2026‑01‑31 | GANO Kyle (Chief Executive Officer) | Buy | 2,927.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026‑01‑31 | GANO Kyle (Chief Executive Officer) | Sell | 1,580.00 | 136.06 | Common Stock |
| 2026‑01‑31 | GANO Kyle (Chief Executive Officer) | Sell | 2,927.00 | N/A | Restricted Stock Unit |
| 2026‑01‑31 | GORMAN KEVIN CHARLES () | Buy | 5,142.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026‑01‑31 | GORMAN KEVIN CHARLES () | Sell | 2,845.00 | 136.06 | Common Stock |
| 2026‑01‑31 | GORMAN KEVIN CHARLES () | Sell | 5,142.00 | N/A | Restricted Stock Unit |
| 2026‑01‑31 | LIPPLDORT Darin (Chief Legal Officer) | Buy | 2,373.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026‑01‑31 | LIPPLDORT Darin (Chief Legal Officer) | Sell | 1,335.00 | 136.06 | Common Stock |
| 2026‑01‑31 | LIPPLDORT Darin (Chief Legal Officer) | Sell | 2,373.00 | N/A | Restricted Stock Unit |
| 2026‑01‑31 | ONYIA Jude (Chief Scientific Officer) | Buy | 238.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026‑01‑31 | ONYIA Jude (Chief Scientific Officer) | Sell | 142.00 | 136.06 | Common Stock |
| 2026‑01‑31 | ONYIA Jude (Chief Scientific Officer) | Sell | 238.00 | N/A | Restricted Stock Unit |




