Institutional Stock Moves
Clearstead Trust Invests in Five Key Stocks During Q2 Amid Strong Institutional Interest
Key Points
In ITW, beyond Clearstead's new stake, several other institutions moved in during Q2, including Bridgewater Advisors’ new position (~$382k) and Laraway Financial Advisors’ new stake (~$582k); Abound Wealth Management boosted its holding by 178.6% to 117 shares (about $32k), with Annex Advisory Services and JFS Wealth Advisors also increasing their stakes (to 2,295 shares and 226 shares, respectively).
Brookfield’s level of institutional ownership is high at 61.60%, with major holders expanding positions in Q2, including AQR Capital Management (18,571 shares worth about $963k after adding 11,069), AXA S.A. (103,531 shares worth about $6.403M after adding 30,703), and Squarepoint Ops LLC (25,502 shares worth about $1.577M after adding 5,821).
AMT shows very high institutional ownership at 92.69%; in insider activity, CFO Robert Joseph Meyer sold 5,000 shares and still directly owned 21,428 shares (roughly $3.83 million value) after the sale, an 18.92% decrease in ownership, while EVP Ruth T. Dowling sold 1,106 shares.
WEC Energy Group remains highly owned by hedge funds and institutional investors (77.20%), with director Ulice Payne, Jr. selling 980 shares on Aug 11, reducing his stake by 4.76% to 19,588 shares.
Atmos Energy has a very high institutional footprint (about 90.17% of stock held by hedge funds and institutions), and director William James Ware purchased 300 shares on Aug 11 at an average $167.59, bringing his holding to 488 shares (~$81,784). Insiders own 0.43% of ATO.
Clearstead Trust LLC quietly built new positions in five companies during the second quarter, deploying capital across industrial, infrastructure, and utility names. The Cleveland-based investment firm bought into Illinois Tool Works, Brookfield, American Tower, WEC Energy Group, and Atmos Energy, with stakes ranging from $820,000 to $2.17 million, according to Watchlist News.
The moves signal a broad bet on steady, dividend-paying businesses. Together, the five new positions represent roughly $7.2 million in fresh capital put to work in a single quarter.
Clearstead's Five New Stakes, By the Numbers
The firm's largest new bet was on WEC Energy Group. Clearstead bought 18,600 shares worth about $2.17 million, according to Watchlist News. American Tower came next at $1.83 million for 11,171 shares. Illinois Tool Works drew a $1.36 million purchase of 5,040 shares.
Brookfield and Atmos Energy rounded out the group. Clearstead picked up 24,121 Brookfield shares for roughly $1.03 million and 4,762 Atmos Energy shares for about $820,000. All five positions were brand new — the firm held none of these stocks before Q2.
Other Big Institutions Piled Into These Same Stocks
Clearstead was not alone. In Illinois Tool Works, Bridgewater Advisors opened a new position worth about $382,000. Laraway Financial Advisors added a fresh stake near $582,000. Abound Wealth Management boosted its ITW holding by 178.6%, though it now owns just 117 shares worth roughly $32,000, per Watchlist News.
Brookfield drew even bigger players. AQR Capital Management grew its stake to 18,571 shares worth about $963,000. AXA S.A. expanded to 103,531 shares worth $6.4 million. Squarepoint Ops LLC added 5,821 shares, bringing its total to 25,502 shares valued at $1.58 million. Institutions now own 61.60% of Brookfield.
American Tower Insiders Sold Even as Institutions Bought
American Tower stands out for its insider activity. CFO Robert Joseph Meyer sold 5,000 shares during the quarter, cutting his direct ownership by 18.92%. He still holds 21,428 shares worth about $3.83 million. EVP Ruth T. Dowling also sold 1,106 shares, per Watchlist News.
Despite the insider sales, institutions hold a massive 92.69% of American Tower's shares. That gap — insiders trimming while big money keeps buying — is worth watching. It does not signal a crisis, but it does show different groups reading the stock differently.
Utility Stocks See Mixed Insider Moves at WEC and Atmos
At WEC Energy Group, director Ulice Payne Jr. sold 980 shares on August 11. That cut his stake by 4.76%, leaving him with 19,588 shares. Institutions own 77.20% of WEC, making it one of the more heavily held names among the five stocks Clearstead targeted.
Atmos Energy told a different story. Director William James Ware bought 300 shares on August 11 at an average price of $167.59 each. That brought his total to 488 shares worth about $81,784. Institutions hold roughly 90.17% of Atmos, with insiders owning just 0.43% of the company, per Watchlist News.
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