Director dealings: Arcontech talks up sales prospects despite losses

Its recent results reflected a change in business model towards rental, with future recurring revenues jumping to 1.08 million from 680,000 last year.

Although operating losses widened to 900,000 from 600,000, cash balances at the end of the year rose to 1.6m from 400,000.

While the company, one of the Alternative Investment Market's smallest with a market capitalisation of just over 2m, said it had "significant prospects" for new sales, it admitted that customers were taking longer over decisions amid a tough economic climate.

Several directors last week demonstrated their confidence that the pipeline of potential contracts would bear fruit in the long term with purchases of shares at 0.1p each.

Chairman Richard Last, chief executive Andrew Miller, finance director Mike Levy and non-executive director Louise Barton bought 68.7 million, five million, one million and five million shares respectively.

Kevin Keaney, commercial director of fashion retailer Alexon Group, has bought 133,790 Alexon shares at 18.5p each. It was his first investment in the company.

Michael Rosenberg, non executive chairman at software group Pilat Media Global, has bought 8,000 shares at 34.5p each. He now holds 188,000 shares plus options over a further 75,000.

Nigel Wray, a non-executive director at Domino's Pizza, has sold a sizeable slice of his stake in the company. He disposed of two million shares at 470p a time.

Sten Mortstedt, executive chairman of property investment group CLS Holdings, has increased his stake. He bought 10,000 shares at 520p each to take his stake to more than 53 per cent.

Xavier Rolet, the new chief executive of the London Stock Exchange, has bought his first shares since taking the role. He bought 23,000 shares at 689p a share for his pension fund.

Andrew Herbert, finance director of Domino Printing, has sold a sizeable chunk of his stake in the inkjet and laser equipment firm. He sold 49,160 shares at 525.11p each, although he retains a stake of 81,744 shares.

Graham Thornton, a non-executive director at Avingtrans, which manufactures specialist components, has doubled his stake with the purchase of 20,000 at around 43p each.