After a 33% rally since the end of October 2023, is Experian’s (EXPN) chief operating officer (COO) Craig Boundy simply skimming some profit from his stake, or is this something more meaningful?

The executive of the global data company sold 226,166 shares this week (16 Jan) at roughly £31.92p, securing a £7,218,719 payout. 

Coming directly after Experian’s third-quarter results, which saw headline revenues rise 9% year-on-year, it is one of the few times directors are able to trade stock in their company. That would hint at the idea that Boundy is cashing-in on the top team’s stellar work in recent months. 

But on closer inspection, investors might think differently. For a start, Boundy has only been in the job 18 months, a fairly short tenure to start cashing in his Experian chips. Far more interesting, or worrying perhaps, is the scale of his stock sale. That 226,166 stake was more than 80% of his entire holding in the company, according to data from AJ Bell, hardly a statement of optimism in Experian’s future.   

Investors will have to come to their own conclusions.

YOUGOV DIRECTORS CASH IN 

Alex McIntosh CFO at international research and data analytics group YouGov (YOU:AIM) has sold 10,200 shares at £11.20 for a total value of £114,240 on 17 January.

Following this transaction McIntosh, is beneficially interested in a total of 5,481 shares in the company, representing approximately 0.005% of the company's issued share capital.

Separately YouGov non-executive director Rosemary Leith has sold 450 shares at £11.30 for a total value of £5,085 on 15 January.

Following this transaction Rosemary Leith is beneficially interested in a total of 17,043 shares in the company, representing approximately 0.015% of the company's issued share capital.

These deals are not surprising as YouGov recently announced the completion of the consumer panel services of GfK business for €315 million on 9 January first announced in July 2023.

Over the past year YouGov shares are up 16% and these directors could be cashing in on a strong annual performance – adjusted pre-tax profits rose 63% to £56.4 million in the year ending 31 July 2023.

CHEMRING CEO SELLS 

Michael Ord CEO of aerospace, defence, and security markets company Chemring (CHG) has sold 175,559 shares at 348p and 16,853 shares at 349p making a total of 192,412 shares for a total value of £669,114.11 on 15 January.

Following this transaction, Ord retains an interest in 468,038 ordinary 1p shares in the capital of the company.

Over the past year Chemring shares are up 24%. The FTSE 250 company recently announced that it was hiking its dividend from last year’s comparable payment on 12 April to £0.046.

This takes the annual payment to 2% of the current stock price, which is about average for the industry.

The defence firm has benefited from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war like other companies in the sector.

 

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