SHARES in corporate advisory group Daniel Stewart rose strongly last week after chief executive Peter Shea invested heavily.
Shea bought 3.46 million shares at 0.55p to push his stake up to almost 11 per cent.
In the company’s half yearly report published just before Christmas, Shea admitted the company’s performance during the period had been “poor”.
But he said there had been a “distinct improvement” during the third quarter. Work included advising on the sale of Sportingbet to William Hill.
He said the company also continued to invest in the development of its international business, with a particular focus on Asia. “We now have established both corporate and institutional clients in the region and are confident that this will lead to increased revenues and activity in due course.”
• Veronica Wadley, a non-executive director of housebuilder group Berkeley, has bought her first stake in the firm with the purchase of 2,200 shares. The shares cost 1,831p each.
• Last week competitions organiser Best of the Best announced it had returned to the black in its latest six-monthly results.
The company, which runs competitions to win luxury sports cars at sites including Edinburgh Airport, also saw revenue increased by more than 20 per cent to £3.22 million in the period.
Chief executive William Hindmarch said the company was optimistic about future prospects. He demonstrated his confidence by buying 12,436 shares at 20p each and now holds just over five million shares.
• Two directors at gambling group Betfair have bought shares in the company. Breon Corcoran, recently appointed chief executive, bought 25,000 shares at 659p each. Chief financial officer Alexander Gersh bought 20,000 shares at 657.45p each.
• Peter Levine, chairman of South America focused oil and gas group President Energy, has bought 100,000 shares at 25p per share and now holds 68.65 million shares.