Buying remains high, but directors' selling plunges

THE buying remained high while the selling among directors plunged based on filings on the Singapore Exchange in the second week of March. A total of 30 companies recorded 67 purchases worth S$15.6 million versus one firm with one disposal worth S$0.06 million. The buy figures were consistent with the previous week's 27 companies, 69 purchases and S$19.7 million. The sales, on the other hand, were sharply down from the previous week's four firms, 21 disposals and S$4.1 million.

Meanwhile, the buyback activity rose for the second straight week with 19 companies that posted 69 repurchases worth S$53.4 million. The figures were up from previous week's 18 firms, 59 trades and S$25.1 million.

There were several significant buyback and director purchases last week. HTL International, Karin Technology and Wing Tai Holdings recorded their first buybacks in 2015. On the directors' side, there were purchases in Sino Grandness Food and Global Premium Hotels following the fall in their share prices. Lastly, the sentiment is high in UG Healthcare Corporation, TEE International and Hong Fok Corporation with two directors recording buys in these respective companies last week.