File photo of Maple Leaf Foods plant in Kitchener, Ont.Tim Fraser/The Globe and Mail
Featured below are companies that have experienced recent insider trading activity in the public market through their direct and indirect ownerships.
Keep in mind, when looking at transaction activities by insiders, purchasing activity may reflect perceived value in a security. Selling activity may or may not be related to a stock's valuation; perhaps an insider needs to raise money for personal reasons. An insider's total holdings should be considered because a sale may, in context, be insignificant if this person has a large remaining position in the company. I tend to put great weight on insider transaction activity when I see multiple insiders trading a company's shares or units.
Let's begin the report detailing companies with buying activity.
Aritzia Inc. (ATZ-T)
On Aug. 3, John Currie, who sits on the board of directors, purchased 1,100 shares at an average cost of $12.50 per share, initiating a portfolio position. The following day, he acquired 11,000 shares. After these transactions, his portfolio held 12,100 shares.
Canfor Corp. (CFP-T)
On Aug. 3, William Stinson, who sits on the board of directors, purchased 3,000 shares at an average cost of $21.338 per share, increasing his portfolio's holdings to 14,000 shares.
Cara Operations Ltd. (CARA-T)
On Aug. 3, chief executive officer Bill Gregson bought 8,715 shares at an average cost of $23.56 per share, increasing his portfolio's holdings to 1,083,984 shares.
Vermilion Energy Inc. (VET-T)
On Aug. 9, Terry Hergott, the firm's vice-president of marketing, acquired 1,000 shares at an average price just over $40 per share for an account that he holds control or direction over. The prior week, on Aug. 3, he acquired 1,500 shares for this account. After these transactions, the portfolio held 2,500 shares.
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The following companies have had recent selling activity.
Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (MFI-T)
Rocco Cappuccitti, senior vice-president and corporate secretary, sold shares in the market during the first three days of August. On Aug. 1, he sold 5,600 shares at an average price of $34.40 per share. On Aug. 2, he sold 14,500 shares, and on the following day, he sold 1,700 shares. Post these sales, his remaining portfolio balance stood at 77,174 shares.
Thomson Reuters Corp. (TRI-T)
On Aug. 3, the chief financial officer Stephane Bello sold 78,800 shares at an average price per share of $47.5844 (U.S.), reducing the portfolio's position to 66,582 shares.
On Aug. 2, chief transformation officer Neil Masterson exercised his options and sold the corresponding number of shares (92,165) at an average price of $47.523 (U.S.) per share, leaving a remaining portfolio balance of 22,379 shares.
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Jennifer Dowty