The FTSE 100 is flying high in these last days of summer, but that hasnt stopped directors at BP (LSE: BP) (NYSE: BP.US), Reed Elsevier (LSE: REL) (NYSE: RUK.US) and Sirius Minerals (LSE: SXX) buying shares in their own companies.
At what price did these directors buy, and how much did they invest? Read on!
BP
BPs shares dropped over 6% on Thursday last week after a US federal judge ruled that the company was grossly negligent in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The statutory maximum penalty for simple negligence is $1,100 per barrel, but the penalty rises to $4,300 for gross negligence. As such, BP could have to cough up some $18bn.
However, the company immediately issued a statement saying it strongly disagrees with the decision and would be appealing the ruling in the US Court of Appeals. And, almost as immediately, BPs chief financial officer Brian Gilvary laid out over 233,000 to buy 50,000 shares at 466.64p a time.
Even at a currently marginally higher price of 472p BPs forecast P/E remains in bargain territory, at less than 10, and the company pumps a dividend income of over 5%.
Reed Elsevier
Nick Luff, the newly appointed chief financial officer of Anglo-Dutch business publisher Reed Elsevier, has wasted no time in splashing out on shares in his new company. The former finance director of Centrica bought 17,187 Reed Elsevier London-listed shares at 996p a time and 12,106 of the groups Amsterdam-listed shares at 17.61, for a combined investment of around 342,000.
The price is little changed at the time of writing 992p to be exact putting Reed Elsevier on a forward P/E of over 17, compared with the FTSE 100s long-term average of 14. The dividend yield, at 2.7%, is below the market average. Not an obvious bargain, but if you share the finance chiefs confidence you can buy at around the same price he paid.
Sirius Minerals
Sirius Minerals is an AIM-listed potash development company, whose flagship development asset is a new potash mine near Whitby, North Yorkshire. The currently loss-making company is expecting key planning news at the end of this month, and Chairman Russell Scrimshaw has added to his holding.
Scrimshaw, a former deputy CEO of Fortescue Metals, the worlds fourth largest iron ore producer, increased his beneficial interest in Sirius with his family trust purchasing 2,100,000 shares at 11.75p each an investment of approaching 250,000. If youre the kind of investor who likes the odd speculative punt, youll have to pay a bit more for Siriuss shares today; specifically, 12.25p.
Finally, I can tell you that here at the Motley Fool we believe you don’t have to be a highly-paid company director to build yourself a 1 million nest egg.
Which is why we’ve just published a FREE report, revealing 7 strategic steps we believe you need to take right now if you’re striving for financial freedom for life.
This free report could transform your wealth — simply click here and it’s yours.
G A Chester has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
