Director dealings: Gooch & Housego directors make the most of share slump

(Sharecast News) - A number of Gooch & Housego directors made the most of a plunge in the company's share price on Thursday, after the company issued a profit warning despite a record order book. The photonic components manufacturer said its chairman Gary Bullard bought 4,349 shares for 655p each, spending a total of £28,485.95.

At the same time Elaine Sullivan, who is "closely associated" with Bullard, bought 4,000 shares at 655p apiece, valuing the transaction at £26,200.

Following the transactions, G&H said Bullard had increased his interest to 20,067 of its shares, representing 0.08% of its total issued share capital.

At the same time, it disclosed that non-executive director Brian Phillipson bought 1,506 shares for 663p each, spending £9,984.78.

As a result, Phillipson increased his interest to 3,460 G&H shares, representing 0.01% of its total issued share capital.

Finally, the firm reported that Katherine Crowe, "closely associated" with company secretary Gareth Crowe, paid 660p for each of 769 shares, valuing the purchase at £5,075.40.

G&H said Gareth Crowe had increased his interest to 769 shares as a result, representing 0.003% of its total issued share capital.

Gooch & Housego reported a record level of orders in a trading update on Wednesday morning, but said a slower-than-expected ramp-up in production meant adjusted profit before tax was now expected to be £3.5m lower than previously anticipated.

Its shares plunged more than 20% from around 824p late on Tuesday, to last trade around 655p on Wednesday afternoon.

Reporting by Josh White at Sharecast.com.

Top Director Buys

Iqgeo Group (IQG) Director name: Royde ,Max Amount purchased: 748,000 @ 125.00p Value: £935,000.00

Segro (SGRO) Director name: Harrison ,Andy Amount purchased: 23,036 @ 1,077.16p Value: £248,134.57

Purplebricks Group (PURP) Director name: Pindar,Paul Amount purchased: 1,295,000 @ 16.95p Value: £219,502.49

Firstgroup (FGP) Director name: Sutherland,Graham Amount purchased: 100,000 @ 115.00p Value: £115,000.00

Purplebricks Group (PURP) Director name: Pindar,Paul Amount purchased: 242,000 @ 17.02p Value: £41,181.14

Gooch & Housego (GHH) Director name: Bullard,Gary Amount purchased: 4,349 @ 655.00p Value: £28,485.95

Gooch & Housego (GHH) Director name: Bullard,Gary Amount purchased: 4,000 @ 655.00p Value: £26,200.00

Firstgroup (FGP) Director name: Lynas,Peter Amount purchased: 20,000 @ 115.23p Value: £23,045.60

Diversified Energy Company (DEC) Director name: Kerrigan,Sylvia Amount purchased: 5,960 @ 136.00p Value: £8,105.60

Seen (SEEN) Director name: Hargrave,Adrian Amount purchased: 80,000 @ 9.00p Value: £7,200.00

Ninety One (N91) Director name: Toit,Hendrik du Amount purchased: 82 @ 212.76p Value: £174.46

Otaq (OTAQ) Director name: Newby,Philip Amount purchased: 2,144 @ 7.00p Value: £150.08

Ocado Group (OCDO) Director name: Daintith,Stephen Amount purchased: 16 @ 928.40p Value: £148.54

Ocado Group (OCDO) Director name: Richardson,Mark Amount purchased: 16 @ 928.40p Value: £148.54

Ocado Group (OCDO) Director name: Jensen,Luke Amount purchased: 16 @ 928.40p Value: £148.54

Ocado Group (OCDO) Director name: Steiner,Tim Amount purchased: 16 @ 928.40p Value: £148.54

Ocado Group (OCDO) Director name: Abrams,Neill Amount purchased: 16 @ 928.40p Value: £148.54

Victrex Plc (VCT) Director name: Court ,Martin Amount purchased: 8 @ 1,835.00p Value: £146.80

Anglo American (AAL) Director name: O'Neill ,Tony Amount purchased: 5 @ 2,909.00p Value: £145.45

Anglo American (AAL) Director name: Pearce,Stephen Amount purchased: 5 @ 2,909.00p Value: £145.45

Anglo American (AAL) Director name: Wanblad ,Duncan Amount purchased: 4 @ 2,909.00p Value: £116.36

Ninety One (N91) Director name: McFarland,Kim Mary Amount purchased: 49 @ 212.76p Value: £104.25