Anpario Share News (ANP)

Weakness in the share price of Man Group has prompted directors to splash out on big stakes in the hedge fund manager.Man Group, which sponsors the Man Booker literary price, saw a return to form of its flagship fund AHL in the second quarter of its financial year, as its 'alternative style' policy paid off, but the group's 'long only' portfolios took a battering over the same period. The company's total funds under management at the end of September stood at $65bn, less than in March when the figure was £69.1bn and down $7bn since the end of June. The shares slumped by about 20% after the announcement.Chief executive Peter Clarke, finance boss Kevin Hayes and chief operating officer Emmanuel Roman all netted 50,000 shares at 176.2p a time, paying a total of £88,000 each. Non-executive director Ruud Hendriks meanwhile, took 100,000 at 177.4p."The extreme volatility of markets in recent months has created challenging performance conditions across asset classes," said Clarke in the announcement that sent Man's share price tumbling. "This has tested investor appetite for risk but also reinforced the need for diversifying, non-correlated investment returns."Top Director BuysBHP Billiton (BLT) Director name: Mr Jacques NasserAmount purchased: 17,200 @ 1,860.53p Value: £320,011Man Group (EMG) Director name: Mr Ruud HendriksAmount purchased: 100,000 @ 177.40p Value: £177,400Optimal Pay (OPAY) Director name: Mr Joel Leonoff Amount purchased: 346,500 @ 45.70p Value: £158,351Man Group (EMG) Director name: Mr Peter Lawrence ClarkeAmount purchased: 50,000 @ 176.20p Value: £88,100Man Group (EMG) Director name: Mr Kevin HayesAmount purchased: 50,000 @ 176.20p Value: £88,100Man Group (EMG) Director name: Mr Emmanuel RomanAmount purchased: 50,000 @ 176.20p Value: £88,100Max Property Group (MAX) Director name: Mr Alexander Anders OhlssonAmount purchased: 84,000 @ 103.50p Value: £86,940Rio Tinto (RIO) Director name: Mr Chris LynchAmount purchased: 2,070 @ 3,057.50p Value: £63,290WYG (WYG) Director name: Mr Paul HamerAmount purchased: 31,350 @ 62.20p Value: £19,500WYG (WYG) Director name: Mr Graham OlverAmount purchased: 21,704 @ 62.20p Value: £13,500Top Director SellsKiotech International (KIO) Director name: Mr Richard ScraggAmount sold: 94,299 @ 84.50p Value: £79,683Mid Wynd International Inv Trust (MWY) Director name: Mr P M S BarronAmount sold: 1,000 @ 1,137.00p Value: £11,370