Director dealings: Hikma gets shot in the arm as chief tops up

(ShareCast News) - Hikma Pharmaceuticals's chief Said Darwazah boosted his stake in the generic drugs firm on Wednesday to 5.49% through the acquisition of 30,000 shares at an individual price of 2,271p.The transaction was carried out by Vidacos Nominees on behalf of Darhold Limited, in which Darwazah holds an equity stake.On 8 April, the US Food and Drug Administration accepted Hikma's new drug application for fluticasone propionate and salmeterol inhalation powder, its version of GlaxoSmithKline's Diskus anti-asthma treatment.Previously, on 16 March, the company released full-year results which revealed a 4.0% rise in operating profits to $409m."While FY'2016 is likely to be a transitional year, FY'2017 is expected to show momentum with growth supported by new product launches. We stay with our Strong Buy recommendation," analysts at Charles Stanley said in a research report commenting on the results.The FTSE-250 listed company's shares finished 0.88% higher on Wednesday at 2,300p, giving it a market capitalisation of £5,506, not far from its 52-week highs of 2,490p hit on 21 September 2015.Top Director BuysHikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK)Director name: Darwazah,SaidAmount purchased: 30,000 @ 2,271.00pValue: £681,299.97Bailey (c.h.) (BLEY)Director name: Bailey,Charles HAmount purchased: 69,600 @ 150.00pValue: £104,400.00Jupiter European Opportunities Trust (JEO)Director name: Wallinger,JohnAmount purchased: 10,000 @ 540.50pValue: £54,050.00Chrysalis Vct (CYS)Director name: Harkness,PeterAmount purchased: 42,500 @ 60.00pValue: £25,500.00Hansteen Holdings (HSTN)Director name: Rough,DavidAmount purchased: 7,500 @ 106.85pValue: £8,013.75Hansteen Holdings (HSTN)Director name: Rough,DavidAmount purchased: 7,500 @ 106.85pValue: £8,013.75Jupiter European Opportunities Trust (JEO)Director name: Sutch,Andrew LAmount purchased: 462 @ 540.12pValue: £2,495.38Pennon Group (PNN)Director name: Davy ,Susan Amount purchased: 15 @ 818.44pValue: £122.77Top Director Sells