Aviva bosses show support

Andrew Moss, chief executive of Aviva, has joined his fellow board members to show his support for the insurer, spending £59,884 on shares after the group reported a "robust" performance during the nine months to 30 September.

Moss bought 22,000 shares for 272.20p each, while finance director Philip Scott and Norwich Union Life chief executive Mark Hodges each bought 20,000 shares for £54,980.

Chairman Lord Sharman of Redlynch also topped up his stake, buying 10,000 shares for £27,490.

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Aviva was wanted today after reporting a 3% rise in life new business sales to £29.05bn. Life and pensions sales grew 12% to £25.7bn, with "excellent" growth in the US and central and eastern Europe. Figures were helped by the stronger euro.

Total sales in Europe rose 10% to £12.75bn and life and pensions sales improved 16%, while US sales jumped 39% to £3.76bn.

Top Director Buys

North Atlantic Smaller Trust (NAS)

Director name: Mr Oliver R Grace Jr

Amount purchased: 75,000 @ 600.00p

Value: £450,000

GKN (GKN)

Director name: Sir Sir Kevin Smith

Amount purchased: 241,001 @ 103.00p

Value: £248,231

Norsk Hydro (NHY)

Director name: Mr Terje Vareberg

Amount purchased: 10,000 @ Nk24.70

Value: Nk247,000

Aviva (AV.)

Director name: Mr Andrew Moss

Amount purchased: 22,000 @ 272.20p

Value: £59,884

Hochschild Mining (HOC)

Director name: Mr Dionisio Romero

Amount purchased: 55,000 @ 105.00p

Value: £57,750

Aviva (AV.)

Director name: Mr Philip G Scott

Amount purchased: 20,000 @ 274.90p

Value: £54,980

Aviva (AV.)

Director name: Mr Mark Hodges

Amount purchased: 20,000 @ 274.90p

Value: £54,980

Capital & Regional (CAL)

Director name: Mr Hugh Scott-Barrett

Amount purchased: 50,000 @ 57.80p

Value: £28,900

Aviva (AV.)

Director name: Lord Sharman of Redlynch

Amount purchased: 10,000 @ 274.90p

Value: £27,490

Gem Diamonds (GEMD)

Director name: Mr Alan Ashworth

Amount purchased: 10,000 @ 236.30p

Value: £23,630

Top Director Sells

Mediwatch (MDW)

Director name: Mr Mark Emberton

Amount sold: 250,000 @ 4.10p

Value: £10,250

Mediwatch (MDW)

Director name: Mr Omer M A Karim

Amount sold: 250,000 @ 4.10p

Value: £10,250