Persimmon non-executive Jonathan Davie started building a stake in the housebuilder with the purchase of £42,000 in shares.
Davie, who was appointed to the board on January 1, bought 10,000 shares at 419.9p a time.
His purchase comes soon after the company said it completed 8,976 house sales last year and has seen a 7% increase in sales and steady prices since the start of this year.
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
The number of legal completions was down 12% on the 10,202 achieved in 2008, but in line with the figure flagged in an update in January. The average selling price dropped to £160,513 from £172,994.
There was a pre-tax profit of £7m before exceptional items and goodwill charges, reflecting a stronger second half when profits jumped to £23.7m from a £16.7m loss the year before.
Davie is the chairman of the spread-betting firm IG Index.
Top Director Buys
GlobeOp Financial Services (GO.) Director name: Mr Edward AnnunziatoAmount purchased: 48,000 @ 240.00p Value: £115,200
E2V Technologies (E2V) Director name: Mr Chris GeogheganAmount purchased: 123,512 @ 40.00p Value: £49,405
Persimmon (PSN) Director name: Mr Jonathan R DavieAmount purchased: 10,000 @ 419.92p Value: £41,992
Restaurant Group (RTN) Director name: Mr Robert MorganAmount purchased: 12,494 @ 211.00p Value: £26,362
Corin Group (CRG) Director name: Mr Michael R D RollerAmount purchased: 40,000 @ 58.50p Value: £23,400
Corin Group (CRG) Director name: Mr David YoungAmount purchased: 40,000 @ 58.00p Value: £23,200
Trifast (TRI) Director name: Mr Neil ChapmanAmount purchased: 80,000 @ 21.85p Value: £17,480
Ricardo Group (RCDO) Director name: Mr John Michael HarperAmount purchased: 5,000 @ 272.00p Value: £13,600
Xchanging (XCH) Director name: Ms Patricia O'DriscollAmount purchased: 7,000 @ 191.70p Value: £13,419
Top Director Sells
Serco Group (SRP) Director name: Mr Kevin S BeestonAmount sold: 283,760 @ 565.07p Value: £1,603,443
Serco Group (SRP) Director name: Mr Christopher R HymanAmount sold: 283,760 @ 565.07p Value: £1,603,443
Whitbread (WTB) Director name: Mr Christopher C B RogersAmount sold: 48,563 @ 1,447.70p Value: £703,047
Whitbread (WTB) Director name: Mr Alan C ParkerAmount sold: 37,701 @ 1,447.70p Value: £545,797
Serco Group (SRP) Director name: Mr Andrew JennerAmount sold: 72,033 @ 565.07p Value: £407,037
Whitbread (WTB) Director name: Mr Patrick DempseyAmount sold: 16,154 @ 1,447.70p Value: £233,861
Whitbread (WTB) Director name: Mr Simon BarrattAmount sold: 13,195 @ 1,447.70p Value: £191,024
Invista Real Estate Investment Management Holdings (INRE) Director name: Mr Mark LawsonAmount sold: 200,000 @ 49.00p Value: £98,000
Camco International (CAO) Director name: Mr Scott J McGregorAmount sold: 600,000 @ 13.75p Value: £82,500
Share Plc (SHRE) Director name: Mr Richard TolkienAmount sold: 79,889 @ 27.00p Value: £21,570
-
FTSE 100 hits record highs – why is it rising and will we see more gains?Advice UK equities have been described as unloved for a long time but as the FTSE 100 hits new highs, we explain if now is the time to buy British.
-
How to invest in copperIt may be time to invest in copper as the red metal appears poised for a big jump. Dominic Frisby looks at what should investors should buy
