Diploma's COO sells off shares

Shares in Diploma, the specialised technical products and services provider, are trading just 30p off their all-time high hit at the end of January, so it was not a bad time for Iain Henderson, the Chief Operating Officer, to reduce his holding in the company,

Henderson pared his stake in the firm by 35,000 which he sold at 391p each, raising £136,850. The sale still leaves Henderson with 452,433 ordinary shares in the firm, representing about 0.4% of the entire issued share capital.

Chief Executive Officer Bruce Thompson has also been reducing his stake in the company. On February 17th, he transferred 62,500 ordinary shares for nil consideration to a charitable foundation of which Thompson is a trustee. These shares were subsequently sold at 391 pence per share.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up

Following this transaction Thompson's stake in the company stands at around 1% of the company's issued share capital.

The sales come one month after the firm reported that group revenue was 16% ahead of the comparable period last year, while group operating margins remained at similar levels to last year, for the period October 1st to date.

On an underlying basis, after adjusting for currency effects and acquisitions, revenues increased by 11% against the comparable period last year.

During the quarter ended December 31st 2011, the group generated free cash flow of around £3m. However, as a result of acquisitions, net cash funds were reduced over the period by around £8m to about £4m at 31 December.

Shares fell 0.4% to 394.00p on Monday, although they are up 33% over the year.

Top Director Buys

Kofax (KFX)

Director name: Mr Reynolds Carl Bish

Amount purchased: 40,000 @ 300.50p

Value: £120,200

Witan Inv Trust (WTAN)

Director name: Mr Andrew L C Bell

Amount purchased: 10,000 @ 490.00p

Value: £49,000

Picton Property Income Ltd (PCTN)

Director name: Mr Roger Lewis

Amount purchased: 50,000 @ 41.50p

Value: £20,750

City of London Inv Trust (CTY)

Director name: Mr Philip Remnant

Amount purchased: 7,000 @ 269.00p

Value: £18,830

Top Director Sells

Diploma (DPLM)

Director name: Mr I Henderson

Amount sold: 35,000 @ 391.00p

Value: £136,850