Tax Food For thoughtA transfer/gifting of shares between spouses can be conducted at FMV or Cost with an election no forms need to be signed. However the spouse who receives the shares will have a Cost of shares equal to the orginal cost not the FMV on the date of the transfer. Once the shares are disposed of, assuming they arent purchased at FMV by the other spouse the capital gain will revert to the spouse who initially transferred the shares, the capital gain is determined by using the FMV upon disposition less the original cost base. Therefore there is no tax advantage to transferring shares between spouses.
I wouldn't be surprised if they are buying shares in trust for other family members (children, grandchildren etc.) as there is no attribution of capital gains nor any "kiddie tax" on such transactions.
I think the sales are conducted to cash in on options nothing more, which is completely fine with me, more money in the company's hands not a stranger.