Insider Trading February 2, 2026

Popular Inc. Director Sells $312,700 in Stock as Analysts Lift Targets After Strong Q4 EPS

Transaction reduces director's direct stake slightly amid robust fourth-quarter earnings and analyst upgrades

By Ajmal Hussain BPOP
Popular Inc. Director Sells $312,700 in Stock as Analysts Lift Targets After Strong Q4 EPS
BPOP

Director Ballester Alejandro M. disposed of 2,360 shares of Popular, Inc. (NASDAQ: BPOP) common stock on January 30, 2026, at $132.50 per share, a sale valued at $312,700. After the transaction, he retains 57,448.673 shares directly, holds 363.835 shares indirectly through his son, and owns 15,824 restricted stock units (RSUs) that convert one-for-one into common shares on a staggered schedule tied to the end of his directorship. The sale comes as Popular reported a stronger-than-expected fourth quarter on an earnings-per-share basis and saw price-target increases from two analysts.

Key Points

  • Director Ballester Alejandro M. sold 2,360 Popular, Inc. shares on January 30, 2026, at $132.50 per share, generating $312,700.
  • After the sale, Ballester directly holds 57,448.673 shares, indirectly owns 363.835 shares via his son, and holds 15,824 RSUs that convert one-for-one and vest in equal annual installments across the first five years following termination of service.
  • Popular reported Q4 2025 EPS of $3.53, beating the $3.03 forecast; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods and RBC Capital raised price targets following the results, citing stronger earnings and capital flexibility.

Director Ballester Alejandro M. sold 2,360 shares of Popular, Inc. (NASDAQ: BPOP) common stock on January 30, 2026, at a price of $132.50 per share, for a total consideration of $312,700.

Following the share disposition, Ballester retains direct ownership of 57,448.673 shares of Popular common stock. In addition to his direct holdings, he indirectly holds 363.835 shares via his son. Ballester also has 15,824 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) on his equity ledger. Those RSUs convert into common shares on a one-for-one basis and are scheduled to be issued in equal annual installments on each August 15 of the first five years following the date of termination of his service as a director.

The share sale occurred in the context of Popular reporting a solid fourth quarter for 2025. The company posted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.53 for the quarter, above the consensus forecast of $3.03. While revenue slightly missed expectations, the EPS result and subsequent analyst reactions signaled positive reception among some market participants.

Following the quarter, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised its price target on Popular to $155 from $146 and maintained an Outperform rating. In its note, the firm also increased its 2027 earnings estimate by 4%, a revision the firm characterized as ahead of the Street consensus. Separately, RBC Capital lifted its price target to $141 from $137, noting the bank's strong capital position and the resulting flexibility to pursue growth opportunities.

Those analyst moves—higher targets from both Keefe, Bruyette & Woods and RBC Capital—were cited alongside the company’s quarterly results. Taken together, the analyst adjustments and the EPS beat were described as evidence of investor confidence in Popular’s financial position and prospects.


Context and holdings

The sale reduced Ballester’s direct position by the disclosed 2,360 shares while leaving his indirect and RSU holdings intact under the terms described. The RSU vesting schedule ties future issuance to the termination date of his directorship, with equal annual installments across the first five years after that event.

Analyst responses to Q4 2025

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods and RBC Capital both adjusted their price targets upward after Popular’s fourth-quarter reporting, citing improved earnings dynamics and the bank’s capital strength. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods also raised its 2027 earnings estimate by 4% relative to its prior forecast.

All figures and descriptions above are reported as disclosed in the transaction and subsequent analyst commentary.

Risks

  • Revenue for Popular’s Q4 2025 slightly missed expectations, indicating potential top-line pressure - this could affect investor sentiment in the financials and banking sectors.
  • The director’s sale reduced an insider’s direct stake, which some market participants may interpret variably; insider transactions can create short-term volatility in the company’s stock.
  • RSU issuance is contingent on termination of service as a director and vests over a multi-year schedule, introducing timing uncertainty for future share dilution or ownership changes.

More from Insider Trading

Principal Financial CEO Disposes of $697,300 in Stock; JPMorgan Lowers Rating to Neutral Feb 2, 2026 Waste Management COO Executes Stock Transactions to Cover Tax Liability; Company Near Fair Value Feb 2, 2026 Waste Management SVP Carrasco executes share sale after performance award settlement Feb 2, 2026 Waste Management SVP Disposes of $47,052 in Shares Following Award Settlement Feb 2, 2026 CNB Financial Director Adds 975 Shares; Board Declares Quarterly Dividend Feb 2, 2026