The chief executive of Hornby Frank Martin has topped up his holding in the train set maker and now has nearly 1% of the company.
He took 20,000 shares at 142p a time, paying a total of £28,400. That takes his holding to 374,092 shares, about 0.97% of the company.
His purchase comes soon after Hornby said it saw sales fall in the year to 31 March, but blamed this on supply issues rather than the tough economic outlook and said it the business is in "great shape."
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely 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
Hornby, most famous for train sets, but also the maker of Scaletrix racing sets and Corgi models, said that its largest supplier in China failed to meet the company's product supply requirements. It said it has been working to improve the performance of that supplier and others and to diversify the supply base. Compounding these issues, the wintery weather in Britain in December hurt sales during the Christmas period.
However, Hornby is confident on future prospects and says sales of merchandise for the London 2012 Olympics are gathering momentum.
Top Director Buys
Vatukoula Gold Mines (VGM) Director name: Mr Ian Colin Orr-EwingAmount purchased: 35,091 @ 110.00p Value: £38,600
Vatukoula Gold Mines (VGM) Director name: Mr David Karl PaxtonAmount purchased: 35,000 @ 110.00p Value: £38,500
Conygar Investment Company (CIC) Director name: Mr Michael Derek WigleyAmount purchased: 30,000 @ 117.00p Value: £35,100
Hornby (HRN) Director name: Mr Frank MartinAmount purchased: 20,000 @ 142.00p Value: £28,400
JKX Oil & Gas (JKX) Director name: Mr Dipesh J ShahAmount purchased: 5,000 @ 284.90p Value: £14,245
Top Director Sells
Great Portland Estates (GPOR) Director name: Mr Toby CourtauldAmount sold: 55,527 @ 438.49p Value: £243,480
Great Portland Estates (GPOR) Director name: Mr Neil ThompsonAmount sold: 35,587 @ 438.49p Value: £156,045
FFastFill (FFA) Director name: Mr James Elliot OliffAmount sold: 866,667 @ 11.00p Value: £95,333
