Knowles Corp. President and CEO Sells $1.2 Million Worth of Shares After 24% Gain
Key Points
Jeffrey Niew sold 50,000 directly held shares for $1,237,500 on Jan. 15, 2026, at a weighted average price of $24.75 per share.
The transaction represented 5.62% of his direct holdings, reducing direct ownership to 839,370 shares post-sale.
Knowles posted a strong Q3 report in October and will release Q4 results on Feb. 5.
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On Jan. 15, 2026, President & CEO Jeffrey Niew executed the direct sale of 50,000 shares of Knowles Corporation (NYSE:KN) in multiple open-market transactions, totaling an estimated $1,237,500, according to the SEC Form 4 filing.
Transaction summary
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Shares sold (direct) | 50,000 |
| Transaction value | ~$1.2 million |
| Post-transaction shares (direct) | 839,370 |
| Post-transaction value (direct ownership) | ~$20.9 million |
Transaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average purchase price ($24.75); post-transaction value based on Jan. 15, 2026 market close ($24.93).
Key questions
- How significant was this sale relative to Niew's prior trading activity?
This 50,000-share disposition represented 5.62% of direct holdings, which is more than double the recent median sell size of 2.73% for this insider and marks the largest single open-market sale in the "recent" period since December 2024. - Were any indirect holdings, options, or derivatives involved in this transaction?
No; the transaction impacted only direct ownership and did not involve any trust, LLC, or derivative instruments. - How did the timing of the sale relate to Knowles Corporation's share price and performance?
The shares were sold at a weighted average of $24.75 on Jan. 15, 2026, when the stock closed at $24.93, after a one-year total return of 24.5% as of that date, suggesting the disposition occurred amid positive recent price momentum. - Does the sale suggest any capacity-driven pattern in insider activity?
Given the ongoing reduction in Niew's direct holdings over the past year, the elevated trade size reflects a shrinking available share base, indicating capacity limitations rather than a discretionary increase in disposition rate.
Company overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price (as of market close 1/15/26) | $24.75 |
| Market capitalization | $2.11 billion |
| Revenue (TTM) | $573.5 million |
| 1-year price change | 24.46% |
* 1-year price change calculated using Jan. 15, 2026 as the reference date.
Company snapshot
- Offers micro-acoustic microphones, balanced armature speakers, audio processors, high-performance capacitors, and RF products serving consumer electronics, medtech, defense, electric vehicle, industrial, and communications markets.
- Generates revenue through the design, manufacture, and sale of audio and precision device solutions, with direct sales to OEMs, contract manufacturers, and distributors.
- Primary customers include global original equipment manufacturers and their suppliers in mobile, hearing health, IoT, computing, and communications sectors.
Knowles Corporation is a leading provider of advanced micro-acoustic, audio processing, and precision device solutions, operating at scale with approximately 5,500 employees worldwide. The company leverages its technology portfolio to serve diverse end markets, with a business model focused on innovation and direct engagement with OEMs and contract manufacturers. Its competitive strength lies in a broad product offering and established presence across high-growth technology sectors.
What this transaction means for investors
Niew’s 50,000 share transaction was executed as part of a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, which allows company insiders to buy and sell shares on a predetermined basis to avoid the appearance of insider trading. While watching what moves company insiders are making can provide helpful information, investors should use caution when making assumptions about a person’s conviction in their company’s stock.
That said, Knowles stock rose 24% over the last year as of the day of the trade, with many of the gains coming in the second half of the year. It released its third-quarter results on Oct. 23, reporting a 7% year-over-year increase in revenue, at $153 million, which was at the high end of its guidance range. Earnings per share (EPS) increased by 22% year over year to $0.33, also at the high end of the guidance range. And the company demonstrated strong cash-flow management by reducing outstanding bank borrowings by $15 million and repurchasing $20 million worth of shares.
In November, Ariel Investments highlighted the specialty electronic components manufacturer in its Ariel Mid Cap Value Strategy investor letter. “Longer-term, we believe KN remains well positioned to benefit from its focus on niche, market-leading positions in hearing health and precision devices," the investment management company said. Knowles will release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on Feb. 5 after market close.
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Sarah Sidlow has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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