(Sharecast News) - Low-cost housebuilder MJ Gleeson was on the list of director buys on Friday after its chief executive officer picked up more than 12k shares.

The company said Graham Prothero purchased 12,439 shares on 14 September in a single transaction on the London Stock Exchange.

He paid 398p for each share, valuing the purchase at a total of £49,507.22.

Following the purchase, MJ Gleeson said Graham Prothero held 48,276 shares, of which 30,368 were held in his name, and Miranda Prothero held 17,908 shares.

That represented 0.08% of the company's issued share capital.

Wickes entered the director sales list after its chief financial officer exercised share options before selling a tranche to cover his tax bill.

The company said Mark George exercised nil-cost options over 110,025 shares before selling 51,895 on the London Stock Exchange on 14 September.

George netted 144.9p for each share, giving the sale a total value of £75,195.86.

At 1314 BST, shares in MJ Gleeson were up 3.84% at 411.21p, while those in Wickes Group were ahead 0.56% at 146.82p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.

Top Director Buys

Mj Gleeson (GLE)

Director name: Prothero,Graham

Amount purchased: 12,439 @ 398.00p

Value: £49,507.22

Empyrean Energy (EME)

Director name: Kelly,Thomas

Amount purchased: 2,109,375 @ 0.80p

Value: £16,875.00

Empyrean Energy (EME)

Director name: Bisht,Gajendra

Amount purchased: 1,799,242 @ 0.80p

Value: £14,393.94

Discoverie Group (DSCV)

Director name: Baxter,Celia

Amount purchased: 2,791 @ 7.16p

Value: £199.84

Superdry (SDRY)

Director name: Wills,Shaun

Amount purchased: 340 @ 44.10p

Value: £149.94

Top Director Sells

Wickes Group (WIX)

Director name: George,Mark

Amount sold: 51,895 @ 144.90p

Value: £75,195.86