Director dealings - AI bosses stake claims

Published on Saturday 19 July 2008 14:47

COMPANIES which have seen their share price rise in recent months are few and far between.

Although AI Claims has only posted modest gains since April, director activity suggests its forthcoming results could spark further interest in the shares.

The group handles motor accident claims for major insurance companies and provides services including vehicle repair and replacement cars.

In February the company reported a strong start to the second half of its financial year and recent buying suggests that progress has continued.

Last week group finance director Peter Harrison and chief executive David Sandhu both increased their holdings with purchases of 50,000 and 75,000 shares respectively at 20.5p each. In May former chairman Charles Good also increased his stake with the purchase of 150,000 shares at around 19p.

&#149 Four directors at Fife-based advertising group i-design have upped their stakes. Scottish advertising legend Jim Faulds, non-executive chairman, was the biggest spender, investing 100,000 in 330,000 shares. He now holds more than 1.1 million shares in the company, which develops advertising for cash machines.

Chief executive Ana Stewart, finance director Ian Sunter and non-executive director Mark Hogarth each bought 16,666 shares at 30p. Shares in the group fell to a low last week in the wake of the company reporting higher pre-tax losses.

&#149 Ian Jones, chairman of Edinburgh-based banking group Quayle Munro, has increased his holding with two purchases. He bought a total of 5,000 shares at prices ranging from 700p to 740p to take his holding up to just short of 600,000 shares.

&#149 Andrew Woollett, chairman of resources group ZincOx, has increased his already substantial stake in the group.

He bought 35,000 shares at 133p each to take his holding up to 1.67 million shares in the zinc processing business. Woollett previously bought in February when he paid 220p each for 22,500 shares.