Director Dealings: Arden's eyes on India

The company recently reported an underlying profit of 1.3 million, down from 2.2m the previous year, and said it plans to focus its future efforts on its core UK and Indian markets.

Last week, two directors bought shares, suggesting their long-term confidence in the business. Chief operating officer Steve Wassell purchased 60,893 at 53p each to take his holding up to 175,893 shares. Non-executive director Peter Moon took his first holding with the purchase of 50,000 at the same price.

Mark Warde-Norbury, chairman of investment banking group Marechale Capital, has bought 121,212 shares for his personal pension at 1.88p a share. He now holds 4.4 million shares.

Conor Foley, chief executive of financial spread betting business WorldSpreads Group, has topped up his already substantial stake with the purchase of 50,000 shares at around 48p each. He now holds more than 7.7 million shares in the company.

Several directors at technology group ARM have been taking profits on their stakes in recent days following strong share price gains.

Chief technology officer Mike Muller sold 350,000 shares at 579p but still holds 1.11 million shares in the company.

Chief executive Warren East sold 290,000 shares and finance director Tim Score sold 197,250 at a similar price.

Michael Beckett, chairman of travel operator Thomas Cook, has more than doubled his stake with the purchase of 55,000 shares at 195.5p each, taking his holding to 100,000 shares.

Mark Yallop, chief operating officer of broking group ICAP, has sold 459,000 shares at 551.36p each to reduce his stake to 1.07 million shares.