Sainsbury's finance boss heads to the till

published 8 August 2011

John Rogers, chief financial officer at J Sainsbury, has purchased 17,000 shares at 285.7p, at a total value of £48,569. The purchase increases his stake in the company from 175,342 to 192,342 shares. Rogers, who has worked for Sainsbury's since 2005, was appointed to the board in July last year and is also a member of the board of the company's bank. In a recent statement, Sainsbury's announced that its like-for-like sales growth was in line with management's expectations in the 12 weeks to 11 June, though the growth rate was below some brokers' estimates.The company reported that for the period fuel price inflation combined with strong fuel volume growth resulted in an increase in total sales of 7.3%, with like-for-like sales up 4.8%. Excluding fuel, total sales were up 4.3%, with like-for-like sales up 1.9%. Easter, the royal wedding and a hot April all played their part in boosting sales, with the group selling the most champagne it has ever sold outside of the Christmas period.Top Director BuysF&C Asset Management (FCAM) Director name: Mr Edward BramsonAmount purchased: 1,000,000 @ 64.34p Value: £643,400RSA Insurance Group (RSA) Director name: Mr Simon P G LeeAmount purchased: 84,155 @ 118.00p Value: £99,303Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) Director name: Mr John RogersAmount purchased: 17,000 @ 285.70p Value: £48,569Aviva (AV.) Director name: Mr Leslie Van de WalleAmount purchased: 9,000 @ 353.47p Value: £31,812Vatukoula Gold Mines (VGM) Director name: Mr Ian Colin Orr-EwingAmount purchased: 30,000 @ 79.00p Value: £23,700Surface Transforms (SCE) Director name: Mr David BundredAmount purchased: 150,000 @ 11.00p Value: £16,500Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group (JLT) Director name: Mr John PaynterAmount purchased: 2,500 @ 606.50p Value: £15,162Independent Resources (IRG) Director name: Mr Alan Richard Havelock ThomasAmount purchased: 30,333 @ 36.00p Value: £10,920Top Director SellsVP (VP.) Director name: Mr Neil A StothardAmount sold: 32,700 @ 227.50p Value: £74,392