Meta Platforms Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg sold over $733 million worth of company shares in the first quarter of 2025, weeks before former U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs that rattled global equity markets.
According to data compiled by Washington Services and reported by Bloomberg, Zuckerberg divested approximately 1.1 million Meta shares between January and March through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and its affiliated foundation. The transactions were executed under a 10b5-1 trading plan established in August 2024, a mechanism designed to allow executives to sell stock at predetermined intervals.
Trump’s April 2 tariff announcement triggered a sharp downturn in tech stocks, including Meta. In the wake of the market reaction, Zuckerberg’s net worth dipped to $178 billion—its lowest point this year—according to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index.
The timing of the sale has reignited scrutiny over executive trading practices, particularly amid mounting geopolitical uncertainties. Monthly disclosures show Zuckerberg continued liquidating stock into April, with sales totaling $565 million for the month, partially offset by an estimated $100 million in exercise costs.
Zuckerberg is part of a growing list of high-profile executives who offloaded significant holdings in the lead-up to heightened market volatility. Oracle Corp. CEO Safra Catz sold roughly $705 million in stock options in January when Oracle shares peaked at $180. Catz, who traditionally maintains a minimal direct equity stake, made the transaction as part of scheduled compensation-linked options.
Other notable executives also moved substantial volumes of shares:
Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, sold 2.36 million shares for more than $432 million over recent months.
Max de Groen, director at Nutanix and Bain Capital partner, sold 5.5 million shares valued at around $410 million.
Chuck Davis, director at Axis Capital Holdings and co-CEO of Stone Point Capital, sold 4.3 million shares worth nearly $400 million.
Stephen Cohen, President of Palantir Technologies, sold 4.06 million shares totaling $337 million, coinciding with a 100% surge in Palantir’s stock between January and February.
Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, sold 866,361 shares worth $233.8 million in February, and a further 133,639 shares in April for $31.5 million—bringing his total sales this year past $265 million.
Eric Lefkofsky, CEO of Tempus AI, sold over 4 million shares for $231.5 million under a quarterly 10b5-1 distribution plan.
Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix, sold 199,063 shares for $194.9 million as part of a new trading plan extending through early 2026.
Travis Boersma, co-founder of Dutch Bros Inc., sold 2.5 million shares over five days in February, generating approximately $189.6 million.
The wave of executive sales amid growing macroeconomic tensions is expected to draw increased regulatory and investor scrutiny, especially as markets remain sensitive to policy shifts in the evolving global trade landscap
