Buying by directors up but firms' buybacks fall

The insider buying remained strong with 30 companies that recorded 71 purchases worth S$7.1 million based on filings on the Singapore Exchange in the third week of January. The number of firms and trades were sharply up from the previous week's 20 companies and 56 purchases.

The buy value, however, was down from the previous week's acquisitions worth S$11.74 million. On the negative side, there were no sales by directors last week.

While the buying by directors rose last week, the buyback activity fell with 26 companies that posted 83 repurchases worth S$18.8 million. The figures were down from the previous week's 30 firms, 103 trades and S$29.6 million.

The bulk of the acquisitions last week were in stocks that recorded price falls with buybacks in DBS Group Holdings, Super Group and Wing Tai Holdings. Aside from these three stocks, there were buybacks and director purchases in China Everbright…