Elektron chairman swoops after profit warning

Shares in instrumentation and electronics supplier Elektron took a tumble last Thursday following a profts warning, and have continued falling since, prompting company chairman Keith Daley to whip out his cheque-book and snap up some cut-price shares.Daley, who has been a shareholder in Elektron since 1996, topped up his holding with a purchase of 300,000 shares at 21.25p each, putting a £63,750 dent in his bank balance.Daley owns 8.54m Elektron shares, representing just over 8% of the issued ordinary share capital of the company.As profits warnings go, last Thursday's announcement from Elektron was a relatively mild one. "The group is on track to deliver operating profits before exceptional items for the year to 31 January 2012 at a level similar to last year's performance. This is a reduction in management expectations for the current financial year but matches last year's record profits," the statement said.Market expectations had been for a pre-tax profit of £5.46m in the year to end-January 2012, up from £3.55m last year.The group's dependence on Europe for much of its business is proving a weak point as the continent goes through its current economic tribulations. Performance of the company's Carnation Genisys and Henson brands remain strong in the UK.The company is looking to reduce its dependence on Europe by building up its business in the Asia Pacific region. It has already opened a new office in Shanghai and is currently searching for an office in New Delhi to accommodate expansion of its existing facility.Top Director BuysGlencore International (GLEN) Director name: Mr William MacaulayAmount purchased: 1,875,000 @ 412.57p Value: £7,735,688Fenner (FENR) Director name: Mr Mark AbrahamsAmount purchased: 138,673 @ 360.00p Value: £499,223Fenner (FENR) Director name: Mr Richard John PerryAmount purchased: 100,300 @ 360.00p Value: £361,080Fenner (FENR) Director name: Mr Nick Hobson Amount purchased: 94,385 @ 360.00p Value: £339,786Fenner (FENR) Director name: Mrs Debra BradburyAmount purchased: 53,796 @ 360.00p Value: £193,666Capital & Regional (CAL) Director name: Mr Louis Norval Amount purchased: 497,920 @ 33.70p Value: £167,799Gable Holdings Inc. (GAH) Director name: Mr William DewsallAmount purchased: 300,000 @ 22.00p Value: £66,000Elektron Technology (EKT) Director name: Mr Keith Anthony DaleyAmount purchased: 300,000 @ 21.25p Value: £63,750Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) Director name: Mr Stephen HesterAmount purchased: 318,678 @ 19.83p Value: £63,194Avocet Mining (AVM) Director name: Mr Brett Allan Richards Amount purchased: 25,000 @ 220.00p Value: £55,000Top Director SellsGlencore International (GLEN) Director name: Mr William MacaulayAmount sold: 1,875,000 @ 412.57p Value: £7,735,688Fenner (FENR) Director name: Mr Mark AbrahamsAmount sold: 72,110 @ 360.00p Value: £259,596Fiberweb (FWEB) Director name: Mr Daniel DayanAmount sold: 426,829 @ 52.70p Value: £224,939Fenner (FENR) Director name: Mr Richard John PerryAmount sold: 52,156 @ 360.00p Value: £187,762Fenner (FENR) Director name: Mr Nick Hobson Amount sold: 45,147 @ 360.00p Value: £162,529Fiberweb (FWEB) Director name: Mr Daniel AbramsAmount sold: 237,127 @ 52.70p Value: £124,966Fenner (FENR) Director name: Mrs Debra BradburyAmount sold: 27,974 @ 360.00p Value: £100,706Sierra Rutile Ltd (SRX) Director name: Mr François ColetteAmount sold: 250,000 @ 30.00p Value: £75,000