Shares on the menu for Northern Foods men

Northern Foods kept rising Friday as bosses bought shares a day after the food producer reported underlying sales growth of 8.8% in the fourth quarter.

Stefan Barden, chief executive since February 2007, paid £94,000 for 189,517 shares in the Leeds-based firm. The purchase at 49.7p a share takes his stake to 1.74m shares.

Finance head, Andrew Booker, also got involved, snapping up 50,000 shares at the same price. Booker, who joined the group from Japan Tobacco International Inc/Gallaher in October last year, now owns 250,000 shares after the £25,000 acquisition.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

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

Get 6 issues 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

Sign up

Northern Foods attributed final quarter growth to the expansion of its value offerings, including chilled pizza and discount sandwiches.

"We have adapted the business successfully to the new retail environment and we are benefiting from our operational and financial strengths," said Barden.

Top Director Buys

Value: £184,775

Value: £135,720

Value: £108,000

Value: £94,190

Value: £74,300

Value: £46,500

Value: £45,000

Value: £34,756

Value: £25,221

Value: £24,850

Top Director Sells

Value: £487,500

Value: £129,318

Value: £35,074

Value: £21,466