Hiscox directors take stakes

Two directors at Hiscox have invested in stakes in the FTSE 250-listed specialist insurer.

Andrea Rosen, who is also a director of Canadian energy group Emera, took 5,473 shares at 380.5p a time, paying more than £20,000. Ernst Jansen, who joined Hiscox in 2008 after a career in the European chemical industry, bought 4,595 shares at about 380.5p a time.

Their purchases come soon after Bermuda-based Hiscox said the earthquake in New Zealand and the floods in Australia earlier this year should result in total claims of about $75m (£46.9m), while the Japan earthquake could result in losses of as much as $150m.

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In its full-year results the previous month, Hiscox paid out £165m in claims relating to catastrophes last year, but signalled its confidence in the future with a 10% hike in the dividend.

Gross written premiums were little changed at £1,433m in 2010 from £1,435m in 2009, while profit before tax fell to £211.4m from £320.6m the year before.

"Mother Nature has well and truly tested us this year and a pre-tax profit of £211.4m is further strong evidence of the resilience of our business," claimed company chairman, Robert Hiscox.

He said the company benefited from not being exposed to Chile and New Zealand, both of which experienced earthquakes last year.

Top Director Buys

Amec (AMEC) Director name: Mr Ian P McHoulAmount purchased: 5,103 @ 1,192.00p Value: £60,828

Maven Income & Growth 3 VCT (MIG3) Director name: Mr Bill NixonAmount purchased: 50,000 @ 50.00p Value: £25,000

Northern Venture Trust (NVT) Director name: Mr Nigel BeerAmount purchased: 24,425 @ 87.00p Value: £21,250

Hiscox Ltd. (HSX) Director name: Ms Andrea RosenAmount purchased: 5,473 @ 380.43p Value: £20,821

Hiscox Ltd. (HSX) Director name: Mr Ernst JansenAmount purchased: 4,595 @ 380.43p Value: £17,481

Bunzl (BNZL)Director name: Mr Patrick LarmonAmount purchased: 1,475 @ 624.87p Value: £9,217

Robinson (RBN) Director name: Mr Richard John ClothierAmount purchased: 14,976 @ 73.00p Value: £10,932

Top Director Sells

Pearson (PSON) Director name: Ms Marjorie ScardinoAmount sold: 163,926 @ 1,143.33p Value: £1,874,215

Pearson (PSON) Director name: Mr John MakinsonAmount sold: 53,891 @ 1,143.33p Value: £616,152

Pearson (PSON) Director name: Mr Robin FreestoneAmount sold: 53,891 @ 1,143.33p Value: £616,152

Pearson (PSON) Director name: Ms Rona A FairheadAmount sold: 53,891 @ 1,143.33p Value: £616,152

Pearson (PSON) Director name: Mr Will EthridgeAmount sold: 53,827 @ 1,143.33p Value: £615,420

Amec (AMEC) Director name: Mr Samir BrikhoAmount sold: 36,633 @ 1,192.00p Value: £436,665

Amec (AMEC) Director name: Mr Neil BruceAmount sold: 31,671 @ 1,192.00p Value: £377,518

News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Stanley S. ShumanAmount sold: 3,888 @ $17.96 Value: $69,828

News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Andrew S B KnightAmount sold: 1,271 @ $17.96 Value: $22,827