Insider Trading March 31, 2026

Westlake Executive Sells $461,000 in Stock as Analysts Raise Targets

EVP Robert Buesinger trims position while Wall Street lifts price targets amid mixed fundamentals

By Priya Menon WLK
Westlake Executive Sells $461,000 in Stock as Analysts Raise Targets
WLK

Robert F. Buesinger, Executive Vice President and PEM Segment Head at Westlake Corp (WLK), sold 4,000 shares on March 27, 2026, generating proceeds of $461,000. The transaction comes as the shares trade close to their 52-week high and after the company reported a material fourth-quarter 2025 earnings miss. Several brokerages have, however, increased price targets or upgraded ratings, citing improved segment pricing and supply dynamics in polyethylene markets.

Key Points

  • Insider sale: Robert F. Buesinger sold 4,000 Westlake shares on March 27, 2026, at $115.25 per share, totaling $461,000; he now directly owns 34,482 shares.
  • Stock context: WLK shares trade near a 52-week high of $117.17 and are up 58% year-to-date, while InvestingPro flags the stock as overvalued relative to its Fair Value assessment.
  • Analyst response: Despite a fourth-quarter 2025 EPS miss to -4.22 USD versus a -1.4 USD forecast, BofA, Truist, and BMO raised targets or ratings, citing stronger results, PEM segment pricing benefits, and tightened polyethylene supply.

Robert F. Buesinger, who serves as Executive Vice President and head of the PEM segment at Westlake Corp (NYSE: WLK), disposed of 4,000 shares of the company’s common stock on March 27, 2026. The shares were sold at $115.25 apiece, producing a total transaction value of $461,000.

Following the sale, Buesinger retains direct ownership of 34,482 shares of Westlake, the $15.1 billion chemical manufacturer. The sale occurred as the stock traded near its 52-week peak of $117.17, with shares having risen 58% year-to-date.

Market valuation commentary from InvestingPro is noted alongside the transaction. According to InvestingPro analysis, the stock appears overvalued at current levels based on its Fair Value assessment. InvestingPro also offers 10 additional exclusive tips for WLK investors seeking further insight into the name.


The insider transaction coincides with recent quarterly results that missed consensus. Westlake Chemical Corporation reported fourth-quarter 2025 earnings per share of -4.22 USD, falling short of the forecasted -1.4 USD.

Despite that earnings shortfall, several analysts have responded with more constructive coverage. BofA Securities raised its price target on Westlake Chemical stock to $115 from $82 while maintaining a Buy rating, citing stronger-than-expected results and early signs of possible cycle acceleration.

Truist Securities increased its price target to $127 from $117, specifically pointing to benefits from higher pricing dynamics within Westlake’s PEM segment. Separately, BMO Capital upgraded the stock to Outperform from Market Perform and raised its price target to $127 from $108. BMO’s action reflects the impact of temporary shutdowns affecting global polyethylene supply due to the Iran conflict, which the firm says has tightened supply and demand dynamics.

Taken together, these analyst moves signal a more positive outlook among some sell-side firms despite the recent earnings miss. The juxtaposition of an insider sale, elevated share price relative to InvestingPro’s Fair Value view, a sizable year-to-date gain, and fresh analyst optimism frames the current market picture for Westlake.

Investors looking for further proprietary guidance can consult InvestingPro’s additional tips referenced above, though the service’s views are separate from the company disclosures and broker commentary noted here.

Risks

  • Earnings volatility: The company reported a significant fourth-quarter 2025 EPS miss (-4.22 USD actual versus -1.4 USD forecast), indicating near-term earnings uncertainty that affects the chemicals sector.
  • Valuation concern: InvestingPro’s Fair Value assessment indicates the stock appears overvalued at current prices, posing downside risk for equity investors in Westlake.
  • Supply-side shifts: Temporary shutdowns affecting global polyethylene supply related to the Iran conflict have tightened markets; such geopolitical and operational disruptions could affect material markets and segment performance.

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