Executive Chairman’s Insider Buying Highlights Confidence in American Assets Trust (NYSE: AAT)

• Executive Chairman Ernest S. Rady recently reported substantial purchases of American Assets Trust (NYSE: AAT) shares through trusts and companies associated with him.
• Between August 21 and August 28, 2026, these entities acquired 229,729 shares for approximately $5.21 million.
• Rady’s latest Form 4 lists approximately 14.22 million common shares held directly or indirectly, while a separate Schedule 13D reported broader beneficial ownership of 38%, including operating-partnership units.

American Assets Trust (NYSE: AAT) is a diversified real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and operates office, retail, multifamily, and mixed-use properties. Based on its August 28 closing price of $22.43 and approximately 61.4 million outstanding shares, the company had a market capitalization of approximately $1.38 billion. 

The main development attracting investor attention is a series of substantial insider purchases associated with Ernest S. Rady, the company’s Executive Chairman, director, and greater-than-10% owner. On August 27, 2026, American Assets, Inc., an entity controlled by Rady, acquired 50,000 shares at $22.56 per share. On August 28, the Ernest Rady Trust acquired another 50,000 shares at $22.52 per share.

Together, the August 27 and 28 transactions totaled 100,000 shares purchased for approximately $2.25 million, at a weighted average price of $22.54 per share. These purchases were reported as indirect holdings rather than shares owned directly by Rady. 

These transactions followed several other purchases. On August 24, the Ernest Rady Trust acquired 29,729 shares at $22.74 per share, followed by another 50,000 shares at $22.89 on August 26. The two transactions totaled 79,729 shares, approximately $1.82 million, at a weighted average price of about $22.83 per share.

The trust also acquired 50,000 shares at $22.75 per share on August 21, representing an investment of approximately $1.14 million. Overall, entities associated with Rady purchased 229,729 shares for approximately $5.21 million between August 21 and August 28.

Following the August 28 purchase, the Ernest Rady Trust held 9,045,846 shares. These are indirect holdings because the shares are owned by the trust, for which Rady serves as trustee. Rady’s Form 4 also listed holdings through American Assets, Inc., Insurance Company of the West, the Rady Foundation, Explorer Insurance Company, and the Evelyn Shirley Rady Trust. Only 66,680 shares, held through the Ernest Rady IRA, were classified as directly owned.

Altogether, the Form 4 listed approximately 14.22 million common shares held directly or indirectly by Rady and associated entities. This equals approximately 23% of the company’s 61.4 million outstanding common shares. However, this figure should not be confused with Rady’s formal beneficial ownership calculation.

In its August 26 Schedule 13D amendment, Rady reported beneficial ownership of approximately 28.95 million shares, or 38%, when operating-partnership units that could be exchanged for common shares were included. The filing also noted that voting rights above certain ownership thresholds are subject to restrictions under a voting agreement. 

The purchases indicate that Rady continues to allocate substantial capital to American Assets Trust. Although insider buying can be interpreted as a sign of confidence, investors should also examine the REIT’s property performance, debt, interest expenses, occupancy rates, funds from operations, and dividend coverage before making an investment decision.