Experian directors sell after positive figures

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

Don Robert, the chief executive of credit checking firm Experian, has raised more than £4m from a share sale the day after the company reported higher interim profits despite tough market conditions.

US division boss Chris Callero made a £164,000 profit on 120,150 options he took up on 18 November. He also raised another £2.78m from the sale of other shares.

Finance director Paul Brooks cashed in £1.99m worth of shares.

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All three men raised significant amounts of cash from option sales in October. They have subsequently sold nearly all the option shares they retained at that time - Brooks sold exactly the same number as he retained.

Reported profit before tax in the six months to September 2009 rose to $351m from $318m a year earlier.

Benchmark pre-tax profit, which excludes exceptional items, rose 5% to $437m. Broker Charles Stanley had forecast underlying pre-tax profit of $425m.

Revenue dipped to $1,874m from $2,017m, but was 1% higher at constant exchange rates, driven by a strong performance in Latin America. Year on year organic revenue growth was 1% for the group as a whole.

Net debt at the end of September was $2,048m, down $62m over the six month period.

Robert was upbeat in the trading statement: 'In the second half, we continue to expect modest organic revenue growth and, for the year as a whole, remain on track to grow profits at constant currency and deliver strong free cash flow'.

Top Director BuysRoyal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) Director name: Mr Philip R HamptonAmount purchased: 250,000 @ 36.85p Value: £92,125

Globus Maritime (GLBS) Director name: Mr George KarageorgiouAmount purchased: 71,000 @ 62.67p Value: £44,496

FBD Holdings (FBH) Director name: Mr Andrew LangfordAmount purchased: 3,000 @ € 6.80 Value: € 20,400

Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) Director name: Mr John McFarlaneAmount purchased: 50,000 @ 37.77p Value: £18,885

Top Director Sells

Experian Group (EXPN) Director name: Mr Don RobertAmount sold: 700,000 @ 592.60p Value: £4,148,200

Experian Group (EXPN) Director name: Mr Chris CalleroAmount sold: 475,000 @ 585.00p Value: £2,778,750

Experian Group (EXPN) Director name: Mr Paul BrooksAmount sold: 337,645 @ 588.32p Value: £1,986,433

Experian Group (EXPN) Director name: Mr Chris CalleroAmount sold: 120,150 @ 592.29p Value: £711,636

Petmin (PTMN) Director name: Mr Lebogang A K MogotsiAmount sold: 500,000 @ 14.00p Value: £70,000

Petmin (PTMN) Director name: Mr Lebogang A K MogotsiAmount sold: 500,000 @ 14.00p Value: £70,000