Insider Trading February 13, 2026

McCormick Insider Executes Simultaneous Sale and Purchase; Firm Posts Mixed Q4 Results

Lawrence Erik Kurzius reduces stake with offsetting buy, while McCormick reports an EPS miss but revenue beat; analysts trim targets

By Marcus Reed MKC
McCormick Insider Executes Simultaneous Sale and Purchase; Firm Posts Mixed Q4 Results
MKC

Lawrence Erik Kurzius, a ten percent owner of McCormick & Co., sold 50,000 shares on February 12, 2026, for $3.58 million and on the same day purchased 50,000 shares at a lower price. McCormick reported fourth-quarter 2025 EPS below estimates but revenue slightly above forecasts, prompting analysts to lower price targets amid cost pressures and conservative guidance for fiscal 2026.

Key Points

  • Lawrence Erik Kurzius, a ten percent owner, sold 50,000 shares at $71.63 and bought 50,000 shares at $49.025 on February 12, 2026.
  • McCormick reported Q4 2025 EPS of $0.86 versus a $0.87 forecast, while revenue was $1.85 billion versus $1.84 billion expected.
  • Analysts adjusted price targets - Stifel lowered its target to $65 (from $71) with a Hold rating; TD Cowen cut its target to $75 (from $82) while retaining a Buy rating.

Lawrence Erik Kurzius, identified as a ten percent owner of McCormick & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MKC), carried out a pair of opposing transactions in the companys stock on February 12, 2026. Kurzius sold 50,000 shares of Common Stock - Voting at $71.63 per share, producing proceeds of $3,581,500. On the same day he purchased 50,000 shares of Common Stock - Voting at $49.025 per share, spending $2,451,250.

Following the sale, Kurziuss direct holdings in McCormick fell to 296,992 shares. The identical share counts in the sale and purchase actions, executed at materially different prices on the same date, resulted in a net reduction in cash proceeds for Kurzius when both legs are compared.

Separately, McCormick released its fourth-quarter 2025 financial results. The company reported earnings per share of $0.86, which missed the forecast of $0.87. Revenue for the quarter came in at $1.85 billion, slightly above the anticipated $1.84 billion.

Analyst responses to McCormicks results included adjustments to price targets. Stifel reduced its price target to $65 from $71 and left its rating at Hold, citing higher-than-expected costs as a key factor in the earnings shortfall. TD Cowen trimmed its price target to $75 from $82 while maintaining a Buy rating, noting that McCormicks fiscal 2026 guidance was below Street expectations. These moves reflect analyst concern about margin pressure and conservative forward guidance despite a modest top-line beat.

The disclosed insider transactions and the companys quarterly performance together present a mixed signal for McCormick. The insider activity shows simultaneous selling and buying at different price points, and company results show a revenue beat paired with an EPS miss that has prompted analysts to lower targets amid reported cost pressures and subdued guidance.


Summary - A ten percent owner of McCormick sold and bought equal numbers of shares on the same day at different prices, and the company reported a quarter with revenue modestly above expectations but EPS below estimates, prompting analyst target reductions.

Risks

  • Higher-than-expected costs contributed to an earnings miss and are cited by analysts as a headwind - this affects consumer staples and food manufacturing sectors.
  • Fiscal 2026 guidance from McCormick was below Street expectations, creating uncertainty for near-term earnings forecasts and investor sentiment - impacts valuation in the packaged foods category.
  • Insider transactions involved simultaneous sale and purchase at materially different prices, which could be interpreted in multiple ways and adds ambiguity to signals about insider confidence - relevant to equity holders and short-term market observers.

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