News

Premier Farnell boss Harriet Green opened her account today with the purchase of 30,000 shares in the electronics distributor at 172.25p each.

Green, 44, announced as the firm's new chief executive in January, took up her role in April and bided her time before forking out £51,690 on stock. She replaced John Hirst, who resigned last summer.

Premier shares have suffered since March when it said pre-tax profits had been hit by reorganisation costs, although it added that the performance in the first few weeks of 2006/7 was satisfactory.

In May, it reported pre-tax profit for the quarter to 30 April up to £16.3m from £12.3m a year ago on revenue up from £196.4m to £225.4m.

It attributed the improvement to sales growth, continued stability in gross margins and robust cost control.

Top Director Buys

Intermediate Capital Group (ICP)
Director name: Mr Peter J Stone
Amount purchased: 10,866 @ 1,311.00p
Value: £142,453

Premier Farnell (PFL)
Director name: Ms Harriet Green
Amount purchased: 30,000 @ 172.30p
Value: £51,690

Hansa Trust (HAN)
Director name: Professor Geoffrey Wood
Amount purchased: 5,000 @ 813.00p
Value: £40,650

Rio Tinto (RIO)
Director name: Sir John Kerr
Amount purchased: 700 @ 2,765.60p
Value: £19,359

Fountains (FNT)
Director name: Mr Richard Haddon
Amount purchased: 20,000 @ 84.50p
Value: £16,900

Top Director Sells

Bank Of America (BAC)
Director name: Mr Neil Cotty
Amount sold: 50,000 @ $52.17
Value: $2,608,500

Anglo Platinum (ANP)
Director name: Mr J M Halhead
Amount sold: 3,320 @ R758.61
Value: R2,518,585

Anglo Platinum (ANP)
Director name: Mr J M Halhead
Amount sold: 986 @ R758.61
Value: R747,989