First Derivatives non-exec pockets £550,000

published 7 July 2011

First Derivatives non-executive director Michael O' Neill has pocketed £550,000 from the sale of shares in the Northern Irish provider of software services to investment banks and hedge funds.He sold 100,000 at 550p a time, but still has 640,000 shares, or nearly 4% of the company."The shares were placed by Charles Stanley Securities with institutional investors," First Derivatives said.The shares are up nearly 100% over the year and have had a strong run since May when the company reported a rise in profits for the year to 28 February.Pre-tax profits were up by 15% from the previous year at £6.5m, on revenues that soared by 44% to £36.74m. Pre-tax profits were up by 15% from the previous year at £6.5m, on revenues that soared by 44% to £36.74m. Software sales at the company, which is based in Newry, Northern Ireland, but operates globally, grew by 104% to £12.51m, while consultancy sales climbed by 25.2% to £24.2m. Chief financial officer Graham Ferguson told ShareCast that the move towards software sales was beneficial for margins as consultancy requires greater investment in staff. The shift towards software will continue, but consultancy will remain important, he said. Top Director BuysAgua Terra Ltd. (DI) (ATE) Director name: Mr Markos Andreas KashiourisAmount purchased: 1,428,242 @ €1.60 Value: €2,292,328Berkeley Group Holdings (BKG) Director name: Mr Robert C G PerrinsAmount purchased: 13,250 @ 1,278.00p Value: £169,335PetroNeft Resources (PTR) Director name: Mr Dennis FrancisAmount purchased: 190,000 @ 35.71p Value: £67,849PetroNeft Resources (PTR) Director name: Mr Paul DowlingAmount purchased: 125,000 @ 35.25p Value: £44,062PetroNeft Resources (PTR) Director name: Mr Thomas HickeyAmount purchased: 100,000 @ 35.25p Value: £35,250Premier Farnell (PFL) Director name: Mr Dennis H MillardAmount purchased: 7,500 @ 190.63p Value: £14,297Top Director SellsAFI Development (AFRB) Director name: Mr Alexander KhaldeyAmount sold: 26,918,790 @ $1.18 Value: $31,764,172Agua Terra Ltd. (DI) (ATE) Director name: Mr Peter George EconomidesAmount sold: 1,428,242 @ €1.60 Value: €2,292,328Mondi (MNDI) Director name: Mr David A HathornAmount sold: 226,748 @ 650.20p Value: £1,474,315First Derivatives (FDP) Director name: Mr Michael O'NeillAmount sold: 100,000 @ 550.00p Value: £550,000Vindon Healthcare (VDN) Director name: Mr Liam FergusonAmount sold: 150,000 @ 10.88p Value: £16,320