Director dealings: Dunelm CFO ups stake following Peel Hunt upgrade

3rd Dec 2018 16:38

(Sharecast News) - Dunelm finance head Laura Carr purchased 25,000 ordinary shares in the British home furnishings retailer on Monday, hours after analysts at Peel Hunt upped the stock to 'buy' from 'hold' and lifted their price target to 750p from 550p.Carr, who took over the CFO role at Dunelm back in May, acquired the shares at an average price of 552.52p each, for a total value of £138,130.Notwithstanding Brexit, Peel Hunt said it sees clear catalysts for recovery in 2019 from a renewed focus on the core offer, improved brand awareness and an accelerating online performance "as Dunelm fulfils its multi-channel potential"."Shareholder returns will also benefit from the potential return of special dividends from next year," it said.Peel argued that Dunelm is built on strong foundations. It pointed out that it's a UK market leader with a 5% rent-to-sales ratio and noted that it has 10% EBIT margins, 15% return on capital employed and one of the lowest levels of operational gearing in the sector.As of 1640 GMT, Dunelm shares had taken off 14.39% to 620p.Top Director BuysDunelm Group (DNLM)Director name: Carr,LauraAmount purchased: 25,000 @ 552.52pValue: £138,130.00Renewi (RWI)Director name: Matthews,ColinAmount purchased: 100,000 @ 40.00pValue: £40,000.00Just Eat (JE.)Director name: Weir,Helen AAmount purchased: 5,000 @ 589.20pValue: £29,459.99Dunelm Group (DNLM)Director name: Reeve ,William Amount purchased: 2,500 @ 550.49pValue: £13,762.25Belvoir Lettings (BLV)Director name: Stoop,Michael Amount purchased: 10,000 @ 93.00pValue: £9,300.00Belvoir Lettings (BLV)Director name: George ,PaulAmount purchased: 10,000 @ 90.00pValue: £9,000.00Audioboom Group (BOOM)Director name: Tobin,MichaelAmount purchased: 295,948 @ 1.01pValue: £2,989.07Horizonte Minerals (HZM)Director name: Fisher,WilliamAmount purchased: 100,000 @ $0.04Value: $2,156.77Horizonte Minerals (HZM)Director name: Fisher,WilliamAmount purchased: 75,000 @ $0.04Value: $1,617.58Top Director SellsMurgitroyd Group (MUR)Director name: Chrystie,Kenneth GeorgeAmount sold: 3,000 @ 550.00pValue: £16,500.00