Alex Karp sells over $50 million in Palantir stock amid AI surge

On May 23, 2025, Palantir Technologies, a leading data analytics and artificial intelligence software firm, witnessed substantial stock sales from its top executives, including CEO Alex Karp. According to securities filings, Karp sold approximately $50 million worth of shares, with the transactions taking place on the previous Tuesday and Wednesday at prices ranging from $125.26 to $127.70 per share. Despite these sales, Karp retained ownership of about 6.43 million shares, which were valued at approximately $787 million based on the latest closing price. The stock sales were carried out as part of a series of automatic transactions to meet tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of restricted stock units, a common practice among executives of publicly traded companies. Other executives, such as Chief Technology Officer Shyam Sankar and co-founder Stephen Cohen, also sold significant amounts of their shares, totaling $21 million and $43.5 million respectively. These actions come in the context of a thriving digital analytics firm benefiting from increased investment in artificial intelligence and a growing number of government contracts initiated by the Trump administration. Recent earnings reports indicated optimism within the company, as it raised its full-year guidance due to the rapid adoption of AI. However, challenges remain regarding international growth, which has led to fluctuations in stock performance. In response to falling share prices, Karp offered a defiant stance during a CNBC interview, emphasizing the company's ongoing commitment to partnering with leading industry figures and expressing confidence in Palantir's future, regardless of stock performance.