Newly appointed QinetiQ non-exec buys

A round-up of the biggest director deals today so far.

Recently appointed non-executive director Paul Murray has invested nearly £50,000 in defence group QinetiQ following the release of its interim figures.

Murray bought 44,377 shares at 112.08p a share. This is his total holding in QinetiQ. He was appointed to the board on 25 October.

Murray is also a non-executive director at the Royal Mail. Murray has previously been finance director of Carlton Communications and LASMO.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

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

Get 6 issues free
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

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

Shares in QinetiQ rose strongly after the interim results were published and Murray was not quick enough to buy his shares before the share price had jumped.

The market was pleased by improved underlying interim figures and the promise of a full year dividend.

QinetiQ cancelled its dividend last year and there was no interim this time either, but the firm says it expects to make a payment at the end of this financial year.

QinetiQ reported a loss of £37.6m in the half-year to September 2010 from a £1.3m loss in the first half of the previous year. However, there were £37.1m of rationalisation charges and bid costs on the now cancelled Defence Training Review programme.

Revenues rose 7% to £865m, while adjusted profits increased 14% to £51.6m from £45.1m.

Top Director Buys

Mission Marketing Group (TMMG) Director name: Mr Robert Andrew DayAmount purchased: 1,773,225 @ 7.00p Value: £124,126

QinetiQ Group (QQ.) Director name: Mr Paul MurrayAmount purchased: 44,377 @ 112.08p Value: £49,738

Babcock International Group (BAB) Director name: Mr Justin CrookendenAmount purchased: 4,686 @ 533.50p Value: £25,000

Punch Taverns (PUB) Director name: Mr Michael TyeAmount purchased: 37,500 @ 58.10p Value: £21,788

Wincanton (WIN) Director name: Mr David EdmondsAmount purchased: 10,000 @ 210.22p Value: £21,022

Wincanton (WIN) Director name: Mr Paul VenablesAmount purchased: 10,000 @ 205.00p Value: £20,500

Maven Income & Growth 3 VCT (MIG3) Director name: Mr Bill NixonAmount purchased: 38,000 @ 53.00p Value: £20,140

Top Director Sells

Xaar (XAR) Director name: Mr Phil EavesAmount sold: 150,000 @ 210.00p Value: £315,000

Jetion Solar Holdings Ltd. (DI) (JHL) Director name: Mr Raymond WongAmount sold: 80,000 @ 61.00p Value: £48,800

National Express Group (NEX) Director name: Mr Jez K MaidenAmount sold: 16,714 @ 233.68p Value: £39,057

ITM Power (ITM) Director name: Mr Simon BourneAmount sold: 47,000 @ 54.00p Value: £25,380