HSTG.L Share News (HSTG)

(Sharecast News) - Hastings Group chairman Gary Hoffman disposed of 545,187 ordinary shares in the firm on Thursday.Hoffman, who had been Hastings' chief executive since 2012 before taking over the role of chairman back in May, sold the shares at an average price of 269p per share for a total value of £1.46m.Back in August, Hastings told investors that first-half pre-tax profits had risen throughout the first of half of its trading year as gross written premiums and net revenue grew despite adverse weather claims.In the six months to 30 June, pre-tax profit increased to £86.8m from £68.9m the year before as gross written premiums rose 5% to £485.6m and live customer policies jumped 6% to 2.70m.Operating profit was 22% higher at £105.1m after including £14.6m of prior year VAT recovery and a £7m impact from adverse weather in the first quarter. Excluding those two factors, operating profit was up 13% to £97.5m.The insurer said it remains on track to deliver on its 2019 targets.As of 1630 BST, Hastings shares had dipped 0.68% to 261.40p.Top Director BuysImperial Brands (IMB)Director name: Tant,OliverAmount purchased: 5,386 @ 2,586.00pValue: £139,281.96Walker Crips Group (WCW)Director name: Min,Lim HuaAmount purchased: 295,475 @ 37.50pValue: £110,803.13Udg Healthcare Public Limited Company (UDG)Director name: Gray,PeterAmount purchased: 14,000 @ 631.00pValue: £88,340.00Be Heard Group (BHRD)Director name: Pyper,SimonAmount purchased: 3,110,688 @ 1.20pValue: £37,328.263i Infrastructure (3IN)Director name: Jennings,RobertAmount purchased: 11,000 @ 245.79pValue: £27,037.351spatial (SPA)Director name: Massey,Peter Amount purchased: 48,295 @ 41.00pValue: £19,800.95Flowtech Fluidpower (FLO)Director name: Wilson,BillAmount purchased: 12,500 @ 123.90pValue: £15,487.50F & C Uk High Income Trust (FHI)Director name: Williams,JamesAmount purchased: 7,500 @ 101.48pValue: £7,611.00F & C Uk High Income Trust (FHI)Director name: Williams,JamesAmount purchased: 7,500 @ 101.48pValue: £7,611.00British Smaller Companies Vct (BSV)Director name: Cook,Rupert Amount purchased: 7,750 @ 74.00pValue: £5,735.00Flowtech Fluidpower (FLO)Director name: Wilson,BillAmount purchased: 4,000 @ 121.50pValue: £4,860.00Helical (HLCL)Director name: Murphy,TimAmount purchased: 405 @ 334.50pValue: £1,354.73Helical (HLCL)Director name: Kaye,Gerald AAmount purchased: 402 @ 334.50pValue: £1,344.69Helical (HLCL)Director name: Bonning-Snook,MatthewAmount purchased: 402 @ 334.50pValue: £1,344.69Amur Minerals Corporation Npv (AMC)Director name: Young,Robin JayAmount purchased: 14,688 @ 4.19pValue: £615.43Amur Minerals Corporation Npv (AMC)Director name: McKay,Paul Amount purchased: 14,688 @ 4.19pValue: £615.43Amur Minerals Corporation Npv (AMC)Director name: Swanson,JackAmount purchased: 14,688 @ 4.19pValue: £615.43Amur Minerals Corporation Npv (AMC)Director name: Naumovski,LjupcoAmount purchased: 14,687 @ 4.19pValue: £615.39Amur Minerals Corporation Npv (AMC)Director name: Schafer,Robert WilliamAmount purchased: 14,687 @ 4.19pValue: £615.39Amur Minerals Corporation Npv (AMC)Director name: Savage,Brian CharlesAmount purchased: 14,687 @ 4.19pValue: £615.39Amur Minerals Corporation Npv (AMC)Director name: Gazzard,Paul Amount purchased: 14,687 @ 4.19pValue: £615.39Top Director SellsHastings Group Holdings (HSTG)Director name: Hoffman,GaryAmount sold: 545,187 @ 269.00pValue: £1,466,553.06Dalata Hotel Group (DAL)Director name: McKeon,SeánAmount sold: 80,000 @ 6.96Value: 507,612.83