SEC Form 4 Transaction Code

Code P

Open-Market Purchase

The insider voluntarily bought shares on the open market using personal capital. This is the highest-conviction insider signal — it represents real money at risk with no automatic or scheduled trigger.

Signal_Context

High bullish signal

Code P is the cleanest insider buying signal because the insider voluntarily bought shares with personal capital in the open market.

How to read Code P

  • Start by confirming whether the transaction appears in Table I or Table II.
  • Compare the transaction value against the insider's remaining ownership.
  • Read footnotes for 10b5-1 plans, tax withholding, trusts, gifts, or issuer-directed actions.
  • Do not mix compensation mechanics with voluntary open-market buying or selling.

See this code in live Form 4 data

Form 4 Code P — FAQ

>What does Form 4 Code P mean?

Form 4 Code P means Open-Market Purchase. The exact investment signal depends on whether the transaction is voluntary, mechanical, compensation-related, or disclosed with additional footnotes.

>Is Form 4 Code P bullish or bearish?

Code P is the cleanest insider buying signal because the insider voluntarily bought shares with personal capital in the open market.

>How should investors use Code P in insider trading analysis?

Investors should compare the code against transaction value, remaining ownership, insider rank, timing, and related transactions before assigning sentiment.