Wednesday’s Insider Report: Management executive tops up his holdings in this bank stock

Featured below are companies that have experienced recent insider trading activity in the public market through their direct and indirect ownerships, including accounts they have control or direction over.

The list features insider transaction activity; it does not convey total ownership information as an insider may hold numerous accounts.

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.

Listed below are two stocks that have had recent insider buying activity.

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS-T)

On April 9, Dan Rees, group head of operations, acquired 500 shares at a price per share of $70.88. The prior week, on April 1, he bought 500 shares at a cost per share of $71.14. These cost of these two trades totaled approximately $71,000 and lifted his account’s holdings to 12,668 shares.

DHX Media Ltd. (DHX-T)

Between April 2 and April 10, Jonathan Whitcher, who sits on the board of directors, invested over US$159,000 in shares of the company. He acquired a total of 106,290 shares at an average price per share of approximately US$1.50, increasing his portfolio’s position to 1,349,804 shares.

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Listed below are two stocks that have had recent selling activity reported by insiders.

Pollard Banknote Limited (PBL-T)

On March 19, Jennifer Westbury, executive vice-president – sales and customer development, exercised her options, receiving 5,000 shares at a cost per share of $3.63. Weeks later, on April 4, she sold 5,000 shares at a price per share of $22.10, eliminating this portfolio’s position. Net proceeds totaled approximately $92,000.

TECSYS Inc. (TCS-T)

On April 10, executive chairman of the board Dave Brereton sold 50,000 shares at a price per share of $13.70, trimming his account balance to 1,898,502 shares. Gross proceeds from the sale totaled $685,000.