THE buying among directors was flat for the second straight week while sellers were absent based on filings on the Singapore Exchange from May 5 to 9. A total of 10 companies recorded 17 insider purchases worth $10.6 million. The number of firms and trades were consistent with the previous week's four-day totals of eight companies and 15 purchases. The value, however, was sharply up from the previous week's acquisitions worth $3.6 million. On the negative side, the absence of sellers was not surprising as there was only one director sale in the previous week.

While the buying by directors remained flat last week, the buyback activity rose for the second straight week with six companies that posted 21 repurchases worth $10.1 million. The figures were sharply up from the previous week's three firms, five trades, and $3.2 million.

There were several significant corporate shareholder purchases last week. Action Asia Limited bought back for the first time since 2008 after the stock rebounded by 47 per cent. On the directors' side, there were insider buys in Global Premium Hotels, CH Offshore Limited, First Reit, and China Environment Limited. On the substantial shareholders' front, there were purchases in Ascendas India Trust and Cambridge Trust.