Gale E. Klappa, a director at WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: WEC), completed an insider transaction on February 23, 2026, selling 3,180 shares of the company's common stock at $115.44 per share. The sale generated proceeds of $367,099. On that same day Klappa exercised options to acquire 3,180 shares at an exercise price of $68.175, representing a total option exercise value of $216,796.
The stock was trading near its 52-week high of $118.19 at the time of the transactions, with a quoted price of $115.90. Independent analysis noted in the report described the utility as appearing overvalued at current levels. The company has an uninterrupted record of annual dividend increases reaching 22 consecutive years, with the current dividend yield reported at 3.29%.
Following the sale and option exercise, Klappa's direct holdings in WEC Energy Group stand at 276,600 shares. In addition to his direct holdings, Klappa indirectly holds 4,106.91 shares through the Employee Retirement Savings Plan - ERSP.
WEC Energy's recent fourth-quarter 2025 financial results were mixed. The company reported earnings per share of $0.97 for the quarter, below the consensus expectation of $1.38, a shortfall quantified as a 29.71% miss. Revenue for the quarter was reported at $2.54 billion, exceeding expectations by 12.89%.
Analysts reacted to the quarter with nuanced adjustments. Scotiabank reiterated a Sector Outperform rating on WEC Energy, citing strong growth prospects tied to rising demand from data centers. Mizuho also kept an Outperform rating and increased its price target from $117 to $121.
On guidance, WEC Energy provided a 2026 outlook of $5.51 to $5.61 in earnings per share, and the company is forecasting an EPS compound annual growth rate for 2026 of 6.5% to 7%. The firm also set longer-term growth expectations at 7% to 8% measured from the midpoint of its guidance range.
Context and implications
The transactions combine a contemporaneous option exercise and a sale of the same number of shares, leaving Klappa with substantial direct and indirect holdings while realizing cash proceeds and capturing gains relative to the option exercise price. The timing places the sale near the stock's yearly high and amid mixed operational results for the quarter.