Meta Platforms Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg sold over $733 million worth of company shares in the first quarter of 2025, according to regulatory filings. The sales, executed under a prearranged trading plan, come amid heightened market uncertainty following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of sweeping reciprocal tariffs in early April.
Key Details of the Sale
- Volume Sold: Approximately 1.1 million shares between January and March.
- Method: Conducted through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative under a 10b5-1 trading plan established in August 2024.
- Market Impact: Meta’s stock, like many others, faced volatility after Trump’s tariff policy shift, contributing to a drop in Zuckerberg’s net worth to $178 billion, its lowest point this year, per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Continued Sales in April
Zuckerberg’s stock disposals extended into April, with an additional $565 million in shares sold, offset by an exercise cost of around $100 million. The sales have sparked renewed debate over executive trading timing, particularly during periods of geopolitical and economic instability.
Other Major Executives Reducing Holdings
Zuckerberg was not alone in divesting shares ahead of market turbulence. Other high-profile executives who sold significant stakes include:
- Safra Catz (Oracle CEO): $705 million in stock options.
- Nikesh Arora (Palo Alto Networks CEO): $432 million over several months.
- Jamie Dimon (JPMorgan Chase CEO): $265.3 million in combined February and April sales.
- Stephen Cohen (Palantir President): $337 million as the company’s stock surged.
Why It Matters
The timing of these sales has drawn scrutiny, as they preceded Trump’s tariff announcement, which rattled global markets. While executives often use 10b5-1 plans to schedule sales in advance, the scale and proximity to major policy shifts raise questions about insider foresight and market influence.
What’s Next?
Investors will be watching:
- Whether Meta’s stock stabilizes post-tariff adjustments.
- If regulatory scrutiny increases around executive trading plans.
- How Zuckerberg’s divestments impact Meta’s long-term strategy.
