This Ameris Bancorp Insider Reduced Their Stake By 23%

Looking at Ameris Bancorp's (NYSE:ABCB ) insider transactions over the last year, we can see that insiders were net sellers. That is, there were more number of shares sold by insiders than there were purchased.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing.

We check all companies for important risks. See what we found for Ameris Bancorp in our free report.

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Ameris Bancorp

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider sale was by the Independent Director, Robert Ezzell, for US$559k worth of shares, at about US$69.91 per share. While insider selling is a negative, to us, it is more negative if the shares are sold at a lower price. The silver lining is that this sell-down took place above the latest price (US$63.45). So it may not tell us anything about how insiders feel about the current share price. Robert Ezzell was the only individual insider to sell over 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!

See our latest analysis for Ameris Bancorp

If you like to buy stocks that insiders are buying, rather than selling, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: Most of them are flying under the radar).

Insiders At Ameris Bancorp Have Bought Stock Recently

It's good to see that Ameris Bancorp insiders have made notable investments in the company's shares. Specifically, Corporate EVP & Chief Credit Officer Douglas Strange bought US$57k worth of shares in that time, and we didn't record any sales whatsoever. That shows some optimism about the company's future.

Does Ameris Bancorp Boast High Insider Ownership?

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Ameris Bancorp insiders own 5.7% of the company, currently worth about US$247m based on the recent share price. Most shareholders would be happy to see this sort of insider ownership, since it suggests that management incentives are well aligned with other shareholders.

What Might The Insider Transactions At Ameris Bancorp Tell Us?

It is good to see the recent insider purchase. However, the longer term transactions are not so encouraging. Overall, we'd prefer see a more sustained buying from directors, but with a significant insider holding and more recent purchases, Ameris Bancorp insiders are reasonably well aligned, and optimistic for the future. If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future.

Of course Ameris Bancorp 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.