Director dealings: Franchise Brands director picks up 250,000 shares

David Poutney, a non-executive director of international multi-brand franchisor Franchise Brands, purchased 250,000 ordinary shares in the company on Tuesday at an average cost of 81p each.

Poutney, a member of Franchise Brand's board since July 2016, spent £202,500 on the transaction that, as a result, put him in control of a total of 3.25m ordinary shares, equivalent to 4.18% of the company's issued share capital.

Franchise Brands said group trading in the three months to 31 March was "marginally ahead of management's expectations", in particular, the number of jobs completed by its Metro Rod and Metro Plumb subsidiary grew 16% year-on-year to record levels, despite average order sizes dropping slightly as a result of the heavy rain and snow seen throughout the quarter.

As of 1450 BST, Franchise Brands shares had picked up 2.47% to 83p.

Top Director Buys

Georgia Capital (CGEO)

Director name: Mr Avto Namicheishvili

Amount purchased: 65,000 @ 998.63p

Value: £649,110

Franchise Brands (FRAN)

Director name: Mr David Poutney

Amount purchased: 250,000 @ 81.00p

Value: £202,500

Georgia Capital (CGEO)

Director name: Mr Avto Namicheishvili

Amount purchased: 15,000 @ 1,053.19p

Value: £157,978

Ariana Resources (AAU)

Director name: Mr Michael de Villiers

Amount purchased: 3,923,077 @ 1.25p

Value: £49,038

Destiny Pharma (DEST)

Director name: Sir Nigel Rudd

Amount purchased: 39,100 @ 110.04p

Value: £43,026

Independent Oil & Gas (IOG)

Director name: Mr Mark Hughes

Amount purchased: 178,000 @ 22.33p

Value: £39,747

Destiny Pharma (DEST)

Director name: Sir Nigel Rudd

Amount purchased: 35,800 @ 110.04p

Value: £39,394

System1 Group (SYS1)

Director name: Mr Graham Blashill

Amount purchased: 5,000 @ 302.85p

Value: £15,142

Proactis Holdings (PHD)

Director name: Mr Timothy J Sykes

Amount purchased: 10,000 @ 115.00p

Value: £11,500

Top Director Sells

Mediclinic International (MDC)

Director name: Mr Danie Meintjes

Amount sold: 15,786 @ 630.98p

Value: £99,607

Provident Financial (PFG)

Director name: Mr Andrew C Fisher

Amount sold: 123,000 @ 663.52p

Value: £816,130

Centamin (DI) (CEY)

Director name: Mr Josef El-Raghy

Amount sold: 45,091 @ 126.35p

Value: £56,972