Directors dealings: Sainsbury non-execs pick up shares

Sainsbury non-executive directors Brian Cassin and Susan Rice picked up shares in the grocer as its stock price neared its 52-week lows, despite the continued competitive pressures in the sector.

Brian Cassin purchased 25,000 shares at an individual price of 222p on the 3 August, for a total consideration of £55,600, while Susan Rice bought 3,000 shares at a price of 223p for £6,675.25.

On the same day, the British Retail Consortium´s shop price index revealed a 1.6% year-on-year drop, which was less than the 2.0% fall seen in the month before.

Nonetheless, food prices were 0.8% lower over the year for a second consecutive month, after having declined in nine out of the past twelve months.

"With expansion plans of the discounters continuing, there is little evidence to suggest their market share growth will slow anytime soon. Persistent deflationary pressure, falling spend per visit and increasing cost pressures has led to some established food retailers having to restructure their businesses," the BRC report said.

On a similar note, in a research note published on 30 June analysts at HSBC said: "The UK’s Brexit vote represents a step change in uncertainty and a material change in consumer and economic outlook [...] Situation is complex with many moving parts. Discretionary incomes, inflation and exchange rates are all changing."

The broker cut its target price from 200p to 175p and reiterated its recommendation to 'reduce' on that occasion.

Top Director Buys

Zegona Communications (ZEG)
Director name: Brangstrup Watts,Mark
Amount purchased: 3,941,901 @ 113.00p
Value: £4,454,348.11

Sdl (SDL)
Director name: Hernandez,Adolfo
Amount purchased: 50,000 @ 435.00p
Value: £217,500.00

Ruffer Investment Company Ltd Red Ptg Pref Shares (RICA)
Director name: Ruffer,Jonathan G
Amount purchased: 100,000 @ 214.25p
Value: £214,249.99

Zegona Communications (ZEG)
Director name: OÂ’Hare,Eamonn
Amount purchased: 100,000 @ 113.00p
Value: £113,000.00

Sainsbury (j) (SBRY)
Director name: Cassin ,Brian
Amount purchased: 25,000 @ 222.00p
Value: £55,500.00

Tyman (TYMN)
Director name: Rollins,Mark
Amount purchased: 15,000 @ 287.19p
Value: £43,078.04

Dunelm Group (DNLM)
Director name: Browett,John
Amount purchased: 4,534 @ 860.50p
Value: £39,015.07

Tullett Prebon (TLPR)
Director name: Baddeley,Andrew
Amount purchased: 10,000 @ 331.10p
Value: £33,110.00

Atlantis Japan Growth Fund Ltd. (AJG)
Director name: Pavry,Richard
Amount purchased: 20,000 @ 151.50p
Value: £30,300.00

Tullett Prebon (TLPR)
Director name: Baddeley,Andrew
Amount purchased: 5,000 @ 330.77p
Value: £16,538.50

Low & Bonar (LWB)
Director name: Matthews,Kevin
Amount purchased: 24,389 @ 64.00p
Value: £15,608.96

Electra Private Equity (ELTA)
Director name: Brindle,Ian
Amount purchased: 298 @ 3,813.00p
Value: £11,362.74

Frenkel Topping Group (FEN)
Director name: Granite,Jason
Amount purchased: 17,500 @ 44.00p
Value: £7,700.00

Sainsbury (j) (SBRY)
Director name: Rice,Susan
Amount purchased: 3,000 @ 223.00p
Value: £6,690.00

Bankers Petroleum Ltd.(cdi) (BNK)
Director name: French,David
Amount purchased: 1,125 @ $C2.00
Value: $C1,338.41

Bankers Petroleum Ltd.(cdi) (BNK)
Director name: Urch,Douglas C
Amount purchased: 743 @ $C2.00
Value: $C883.95

Lsl Property Services (LSL)
Director name: Castleton ,Adam
Amount purchased: 64 @ 235.00p
Value: £150.40

Lsl Property Services (LSL)
Director name: Crabb,Ian
Amount purchased: 64 @ 235.00p
Value: £150.40

Lsl Property Services (LSL)
Director name: Gill,Adrian
Amount purchased: 64 @ 235.00p
Value: £150.40

Top Director Sells

Mosman Oil And Gas Limited (di) (MSMN)
Director name: Carroll,Andy
Amount sold: 9,000,000 @ A$1.00
Value: A$5,281,690.14

Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG)
Director name: Solomons,Richard
Amount sold: 55,782 @ 3,077.88p
Value: £1,716,903.39

Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG)
Director name: Solomons,Richard
Amount sold: 27,198 @ 3,077.88p
Value: £837,121.98