WH Smith finance boss sells more shares

25th Aug 2009 16:27

WH Smith's financial director Robert Moorhead has sold nearly £240,000 worth of shares in the newsagent chain.He offloaded 53,896 shares at 445.2p a time and now has 176,504.The firm's shares have rallied since he last offloaded shares in February, pocketing 360.9p a time for 10,197 sharesIn a trading update in June, WH Smith, which operates high street stores as well as smaller outlets at train stations and airports, said like-for-like sales in the first 13 weeks of the second half were down 4% on the same period last year, with total sales up 1%."The economic environment remains uncertain and, whilst we continue to be cautious about consumer spending, we are confident in the outcome for the full year," it addedHowever, the firm has benefitted from a broader market rally, with sentiment boosted by cheery economic news and encouraging interim results from several companies that reported figures for the first six months of 2009.WH Smith, whose financial year runs to 31 August, reports its full-year results on October 15.Top Director BuysFirst Quantum Minerals (FQM) Director name: Mr Martin R RowleyAmount purchased: 13,430 @ 3,667.79p Value: £492,584Digital Marketing (DIGI) Director name: Mr Ian G RobinsonAmount purchased: 50,000 @ 41.80p Value: £20,900John Menzies (MNZS) Director name: Mr Paul B DollmanAmount purchased: 5,000 @ 294.50p Value: £14,725Top Director SellsShaftesbury (SHB) Director name: Mr Jonathan S LaneAmount sold: 112,171 @ 370.90p Value: £416,042easyJet (EZJ) Director name: Mr Jeff CarrAmount sold: 121,007 @ 330.60p Value: £400,049Hammerson (HMSO) Director name: Mr R John G RichardsAmount sold: 100,000 @ 396.30p Value: £396,300Alterian (ALN) Director name: Mr David EldridgeAmount sold: 237,000 @ 138.00p Value: £327,060Shaftesbury (SHB) Director name: Mr Brian BickellAmount sold: 80,425 @ 370.90p Value: £298,296Caledonia Investments (CLDN) Director name: Major William WyattAmount sold: 18,000 @ 1,646.50p Value: £296,370Shaftesbury (SHB) Director name: Mr Simon J QuayleAmount sold: 69,842 @ 370.90p Value: £259,044WH Smith (SMWH) Director name: Mr Robert MoorheadAmount sold: 53,896 @ 445.20p Value: £239,945Shaftesbury (SHB) Director name: Mr Thomas J C WeltonAmount sold: 59,260 @ 370.90p Value: £219,795Alterian (ALN) Director name: Mr Michael TalbotAmount sold: 122,500 @ 138.00p Value: £169,050