Admiral Chairman reduces interest after wife makes share sale

The wife of the Chairman of Admiral this week sold 1.2m pounds-worth of shares on the same day the insurance giant cheered with an in-line set of full-year results. The 1,500p-a-share sale reduced Alastair Lyons's interest by 80,000 shares to 312,152. The disposal took advantage of the recent rise in the group's share price, which has risen by around 300p since the start of the year. The stock rose even higher on Thursday as the group hailed the 'year of the baked potato' - what it described as a 'comfort food' set of results. Group profit before tax was up 7% at £370m (2012: £345m) on turnover of £2.03bn, which was down 8% from £2.22bn in 2012. Earnings per share were up 10% at 104.6p from 95.1p a year earlier. Top Director BuysMelrose Industries (MRO) Director name: Mr James Christopher MillerAmount purchased: 295,534 @ 300.51p Value: £888,109Melrose Industries (MRO) Director name: Mr John A M GrantAmount purchased: 46,125 @ 300.50p Value: £138,606Pressure Technologies (PRES) Director name: Mr Neil MacDonald Amount purchased: 5,200 @ 575.00p Value: £29,900RCM Technology Trust (RTT) Director name: Mr Robert JeensAmount purchased: 5,000 @ 569.21p Value: £28,460British Polythene Industries (BPI) Director name: Mr David HarrisAmount purchased: 3,212 @ 666.00p Value: £21,392Serco Group (SRP) Director name: Mrs Angie RisleyAmount purchased: 4,287 @ 462.56p Value: £19,830Sylvania Platinum Ltd (DI) (SLP) Director name: Mr Grant M ButtonAmount purchased: 175,000 @ 7.50p Value: £13,125Perform Group (PER) Director name: Mr Peter WilliamsAmount purchased: 4,000 @ 315.00p Value: £12,600Top Director SellsGalliford Try (GFRD) Director name: Mr Greg FitzgeraldAmount sold: 250,000 @ 1,302.00p Value: £3,255,000Serco Group (SRP) Director name: Mr Andrew JennerAmount sold: 257,228 @ 467.46p Value: £1,202,438Admiral Group (ADM) Director name: Mr Alastair LyonsAmount sold: 80,000 @ 1,500.00p Value: £1,200,000Serco Group (SRP) Director name: Mr Andrew JennerAmount sold: 100,429 @ 468.50p Value: £470,510Serco Group (SRP) Director name: Mr Andrew JennerAmount sold: 86,311 @ 468.50p Value: £404,367Serco Group (SRP) Director name: Mr Andrew JennerAmount sold: 74,643 @ 468.50p Value: £349,702British Polythene Industries (BPI) Director name: Mr John T LanglandsAmount sold: 50,000 @ 660.00p Value: £330,000Mondi (MNDI) Director name: Mr Peter OswaldAmount sold: 28,639 @ 1,104.00p Value: £316,175Croda International (CRDA) Director name: Mr Sean ChristieAmount sold: 8,538 @ 2,524.00p Value: £215,499Serco Group (SRP) Director name: Mr Ed CaseyAmount sold: 42,444 @ 466.20p Value: £197,874NR