Harding picks up some shares as TalkTalk rockets

TalkTalk’s chief executive Dido Harding treated herself to some shares in the company as its stock rocketed following well-received first half results.

Harding purchased 40,966 shares for 244.10p each, bringing her total holding to 4.3m, or a 0.45% stake.

TalkTalk announced a 15% uplift to its interim dividend earlier, surprising investors and analysts who had been bracing themselves for a cut following the cyber attack in October.

The telecommunications company estimated the one-off financial impact of the hack at between £30m and £35m, which Bank of America Merrill Lynch said was half the amount it was expecting.

TalkTalk said that while it is still too early to assess the wider impact of the attack on the business, early data on churn and retention activity in the days since it happened is encouraging.

At 1551 GMT, shares were up 14.6% to 249.00p.

Top Director Buys

Hibernia Reit (HBRN)
Director name: Mr Kevin Nowlan
Amount purchased: 4,101,179 @ € 1.18
Value: € 4,823,397

Hibernia Reit (HBRN)
Director name: Mr William Nowlan
Amount purchased: 2,050,589 @ € 1.18
Value: € 2,411,698

Electra Private Equity (ELTA)
Director name: Mr Edward Bramson
Amount purchased: 29,084 @ 3,616.00p
Value: £1,051,677

TalkTalk Telecom Group (TALK)
Director name: Mr Dido Harding
Amount purchased: 40,966 @ 244.10p
Value: £99,998

Top Director Sells

Somero Enterprises Inc. (DI) (SOM)
Director name: Mr Lawrence Horsch
Amount sold: 55,000 @ 129.00p
Value: £70,950