Galliford Try Finance Director sells half his stake

Galliford Try's Finance Director has made the most of recent gains on the stock's share price, selling more than half his stake in the firm.

Frank Nelson disposed of 85,000 shares in the housbuilding and construction firm for 547.70p each, earning himself a total of £465,545 and leaving him with 77,440 shares.

By Friday afternoon, the stock had gained almost 15%, or 74p, this week, and over 21%, or 100.50p this month.

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Nelson, who joined the board in 2000, made the sale just one day after the firm doubled its interim dividend, having delivered strong profit growth for the half year ended December 31st.

Pre-tax profit rose to £32.2m for the half year from £17m the same time a year earlier. Group revenue climbed to £746.8m from £575.9m previously.

Galliford said the housing market has remained resilient and it is encouraged by the continued strength of the market during the first seven weeks of 2012.

Top Director Buys

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)

Director name: Mr Dale F. Morrison

Amount purchased: 4,536 @ 1,407.33p

Value: £63,836

Top Director Sells

Experian (EXPN)

Director name: Mr John Peace

Amount sold: 80,000 @ 955.00p

Value: £764,000

Mondi (MNDI)

Director name: Mr Peter Oswald

Amount sold: 115,923 @ 581.04p

Value: £673,559

Mondi (MNDI)

Director name: Mr David A Hathorn

Amount sold: 110,393 @ 581.04p

Value: £641,427

Galliford Try (GFRD)

Director name: Mr Frank Nelson

Amount sold: 85,000 @ 547.70p

Value: £465,545

Mondi (MNDI)

Director name: Mr Andrew King

Amount sold: 45,582 @ 581.04p

Value: £264,850

Mondi (MNDI)

Director name: Ms Carol Hunt

Amount sold: 17,907 @ 581.04p

Value: £104,047