Newly appointed QinetiQ non-exec buys

Recently appointed non-executive director Paul Murray has invested nearly £50,000 in defence group QinetiQ following the release of its interim figures. Murray bought 44,377 shares at 112.08p a share. This is his total holding in QinetiQ. He was appointed to the board on 25 October. Murray is also a non-executive director at the Royal Mail. Murray has previously been finance director of Carlton Communications and LASMO. Shares in QinetiQ rose strongly after the interim results were published and Murray was not quick enough to buy his shares before the share price had jumped. The market was pleased by improved underlying interim figures and the promise of a full year dividend. QinetiQ cancelled its dividend last year and there was no interim this time either, but the firm says it expects to make a payment at the end of this financial year.QinetiQ reported a loss of £37.6m in the half-year to September 2010 from a £1.3m loss in the first half of the previous year. However, there were £37.1m of rationalisation charges and bid costs on the now cancelled Defence Training Review programme.Revenues rose 7% to £865m, while adjusted profits increased 14% to £51.6m from £45.1m. Top Director BuysMission Marketing Group (TMMG) Director name: Mr Robert Andrew DayAmount purchased: 1,773,225 @ 7.00p Value: £124,126QinetiQ Group (QQ.) Director name: Mr Paul MurrayAmount purchased: 44,377 @ 112.08p Value: £49,738Babcock International Group (BAB) Director name: Mr Justin CrookendenAmount purchased: 4,686 @ 533.50p Value: £25,000Punch Taverns (PUB) Director name: Mr Michael TyeAmount purchased: 37,500 @ 58.10p Value: £21,788Wincanton (WIN) Director name: Mr David EdmondsAmount purchased: 10,000 @ 210.22p Value: £21,022Wincanton (WIN) Director name: Mr Paul VenablesAmount purchased: 10,000 @ 205.00p Value: £20,500Maven Income & Growth 3 VCT (MIG3) Director name: Mr Bill NixonAmount purchased: 38,000 @ 53.00p Value: £20,140Top Director SellsXaar (XAR) Director name: Mr Phil EavesAmount sold: 150,000 @ 210.00p Value: £315,000Jetion Solar Holdings Ltd. (DI) (JHL) Director name: Mr Raymond WongAmount sold: 80,000 @ 61.00p Value: £48,800National Express Group (NEX) Director name: Mr Jez K MaidenAmount sold: 16,714 @ 233.68p Value: £39,057ITM Power (ITM) Director name: Mr Simon BourneAmount sold: 47,000 @ 54.00p Value: £25,380Christie Group (CTG) Director name: Mr Michael LikiermanAmount sold: 25,000 @ 61.00p Value: £15,250