Northern Venture Trust Share News (NVT)

Two directors at Hiscox have invested in stakes in the FTSE 250-listed specialist insurer. Andrea Rosen, who is also a director of Canadian energy group Emera, took 5,473 shares at 380.5p a time, paying more than £20,000. Ernst Jansen, who joined Hiscox in 2008 after a career in the European chemical industry, bought 4,595 shares at about 380.5p a time.Their purchases come soon after Bermuda-based Hiscox said the earthquake in New Zealand and the floods in Australia earlier this year should result in total claims of about $75m (£46.9m), while the Japan earthquake could result in losses of as much as $150m.In its full-year results the previous month, Hiscox paid out £165m in claims relating to catastrophes last year, but signalled its confidence in the future with a 10% hike in the dividend. Gross written premiums were little changed at £1,433m in 2010 from £1,435m in 2009, while profit before tax fell to £211.4m from £320.6m the year before. "Mother Nature has well and truly tested us this year and a pre-tax profit of £211.4m is further strong evidence of the resilience of our business," claimed company chairman, Robert Hiscox. He said the company benefited from not being exposed to Chile and New Zealand, both of which experienced earthquakes last year.Top Director BuysAmec (AMEC) Director name: Mr Ian P McHoulAmount purchased: 5,103 @ 1,192.00p Value: £60,828Maven Income & Growth 3 VCT (MIG3) Director name: Mr Bill NixonAmount purchased: 50,000 @ 50.00p Value: £25,000Northern Venture Trust (NVT) Director name: Mr Nigel BeerAmount purchased: 24,425 @ 87.00p Value: £21,250Hiscox Ltd. (HSX) Director name: Ms Andrea RosenAmount purchased: 5,473 @ 380.43p Value: £20,821Hiscox Ltd. (HSX) Director name: Mr Ernst JansenAmount purchased: 4,595 @ 380.43p Value: £17,481Bunzl (BNZL)Director name: Mr Patrick LarmonAmount purchased: 1,475 @ 624.87p Value: £9,217Robinson (RBN) Director name: Mr Richard John ClothierAmount purchased: 14,976 @ 73.00p Value: £10,932Top Director SellsPearson (PSON) Director name: Ms Marjorie ScardinoAmount sold: 163,926 @ 1,143.33p Value: £1,874,215Pearson (PSON) Director name: Mr John MakinsonAmount sold: 53,891 @ 1,143.33p Value: £616,152Pearson (PSON) Director name: Mr Robin FreestoneAmount sold: 53,891 @ 1,143.33p Value: £616,152Pearson (PSON) Director name: Ms Rona A FairheadAmount sold: 53,891 @ 1,143.33p Value: £616,152Pearson (PSON) Director name: Mr Will EthridgeAmount sold: 53,827 @ 1,143.33p Value: £615,420Amec (AMEC) Director name: Mr Samir BrikhoAmount sold: 36,633 @ 1,192.00p Value: £436,665Amec (AMEC) Director name: Mr Neil BruceAmount sold: 31,671 @ 1,192.00p Value: £377,518News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Stanley S. ShumanAmount sold: 3,888 @ $17.96 Value: $69,828News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Andrew S B KnightAmount sold: 1,271 @ $17.96 Value: $22,827News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Sir Rod EddingtonAmount sold: 1,271 @ $17.96 Value: $22,827