The buying among directors slowed after rising for three straight weeks with 16 companies that recorded 29 purchases based on filings on the Exchange from March 18 to 22. The figures were sharply down from the previous week's 24 firms and 45 purchases. Despite the sharp fall in the number of companies and purchases, the buy value amounted to $7.5 million which is slightly higher than the previous week's acquisitions worth $7.01 million. The selling, on the other hand, fell for the second straight week with 8 companies that recorded 13 disposals worth $6.5 million. The number of trades and value were down from the previous week's 17 disposals worth $7.06 million.

While buying by directors fell last week, buyback activity among listed firms remained high with 11 companies that posted 24 repurchases worth $16.3 million. The number of companies and trades were consistent with the previous week's 11 firms and 27 repurchases while the value was nearly double the previous week's buybacks worth $8.7million.

There were several significant corporate shareholder trades last week.On the buying side, corporate shareholdersentimentis high in OSIM International this month, with buybacks and purchases by two directors. There was also heavy buying in recently‐listed Logistics Holdings with three directors moving in to support the share price after the stock fell below the IPO price. Lastly, there were more purchases by high‐level executives of Hotel Properties and MFS Technology Ltd last week.

On the negative side, the CEO of Starhill Global REIT recorded his first sale since his appointment in 2010. On the substantial shareholders' front, Primacy Investment acquired more shares of Breadtalk Group at higher than its previous purchase prices. Lastly, Schroders plc unloaded shares of UOL Group last week at higher than its purchase prices.

Source: AmFraser