Director dealings: Franchise Brands director ups stake

Poutney, who joined Franchise Brands from Numis in July 2016, purchased the shares at an average price of 72.50p each, for a total value of £72,500.

Franchise Brands reported a 43% improvement in its revenue in its full-year results back in March, to £35.5m.

The Macclesfield-based outfit said its fee income increased 41% in the year ended 31 December, to £17.9m, while its adjusted EBITDA was ahead 37% at £3.7m.

Adjusted profit before tax grew 36% to £2.9m, and on a statutory basis the company swung to a profit after tax of £2.3m, from a loss of £0.1m in 2017.

Adjusted basic earnings per share rose 21% to 3.00p, and basic earnings per share swung to 3.00p from losses of 0.18p.

The board also proposed a final dividend of 0.46p per share, up from 0.33p a year earlier, giving a 34% increase in the total dividend for the year to 0.67p per share, rising from 0.5p per share.

As of 1620 BST, Franchise shares had climbed 4.73% to 76.45p.

Top Director Buys

Franchise Brands (FRAN)

Director name: Mr David Poutney

Amount purchased: 100,000 @ 72.50p

Value: £72,500

Mitchells & Butlers (MAB)

Director name: Mr Phil Urban

Amount purchased: 15,115 @ 263.24p

Value: £39,789

Rose Petroleum (ROSE)

Director name: Mr Matthew C. Idiens

Amount purchased: 2,000,000 @ 1.75p

Value: £35,000

Aberdeen Diversified Income and Growth Trust (ADIG)

Director name: Mr Julian Lloyd Sinclair

Amount purchased: 17,384 @ 114.40p

Value: £19,887

Murray Income Trust (MUT)

Director name: Ms Stephanie Eastment

Amount purchased: 1,300 @ 807.92p

Value: £10,503