Director trades, buybacks up sharply

COMPANY buyback and director activity rebounded sharply after falling for two straight weeks, based on Singapore Exchange Nov 11-15 filings.

Fifteen companies recorded 34 director transactions worth $6.4 million last week, up sharply from the previous week's eight firms, 13 trades and $4.9 million. Buyers outnumbered sellers with 11 companies that recorded 29 insider purchases worth $5.16 million versus three firms with five disposals worth $1.23 million. On the buybacks side, a total of eight companies posted 20 repurchases worth $2.83 million. The figures were up from the previous week's three firms, six trades and $0.258 million.

There were several significant director and buyback trades, the bulk of which were made after the announcement of earnings results. Three firms that resumed buying back last week following the release of results were Courts Asia, SATS Ltd and Sembcorp Industries. On the directors' side, there were insider buys in Roxy-Pacific Holdings, Best World International and in newly listed Valuemax Group and sales in Sabana Shari'ah Reit.