Home Retail's Finance Director sells shares

The Financial Director of Home Retail, Richard Ashton, on Thursday sold 249,975 shares in the household goods retailer, three weeks after the company raised its full-year profit expectations on the back of increased sales at its Argos business over the Christmas period.The shares were sold at 127.52p a time, costing the director £318,768 altogether. In an update published in mid-January, the company said sales at Argos stores open more than a year rose 2.7% in the 18 weeks to January 5th, ahead of a consensus forecast for a 0.2% increase and a 1.4% climb in its second quarter. The results were driven by growth in sales of electrical products, white goods and toys as consumers picked up gifts during the festive season. Homewares and jewellery were the weaker performers. While Home Retail benefited from the strong performance at Argos its Homebase business was a different story. Total sales at the home improvement and garden chain declined by 4.5% to £453m as the company closed three stores during the period, reducing its portfolio to 337. Top Director BuysBP (BP.) Director name: Mr Paul AndersonAmount purchased: 24,000 @ 463.12p Value: £111,149Energy XXI (Bermuda) (Di) (EXXI) Director name: Mr John Daniel Schiller JrAmount purchased: 5,000 @ $32.25 Value: $161,250Northern 2 VCT (NTV) Director name: Mr Edward Michael P DennyAmount purchased: 45,000 @ 80.41p Value: £36,184Energy XXI (Bermuda) (Di) (EXXI) Director name: Mr John Daniel Schiller JrAmount purchased: 950 @ $32.16 Value: $30,5523i Group (III) Director name: Sir Adrian Montague CBEAmount purchased: 10,752 @ 279.00p Value: £29,998Northern Venture Trust (NVT) Director name: Mr Nigel BeerAmount purchased: 22,334 @ 89.55p Value: £20,000Sigma Capital Group (SGM) Director name: Mr Graeme HoggAmount purchased: 326,000 @ 6.00p Value: £19,560Energy XXI (Bermuda) (Di) (EXXI) Director name: Mr John Daniel Schiller JrAmount purchased: 415 @ $32.16 Value: $13,346Top Director SellsMattioli Woods (MTW) Director name: Mr Robert WoodsAmount sold: 200,000 @ 240.00p Value: £480,000Mattioli Woods (MTW) Director name: Mr Ian Thomas MattioliAmount sold: 200,000 @ 240.00p Value: £480,000Mattioli Woods (MTW) Director name: Mr Murray Beveridge SmithAmount sold: 187,500 @ 240.00p Value: £450,000Mattioli Woods (MTW) Director name: Mr Mark SmithAmount sold: 187,500 @ 240.00p Value: £450,000Home Retail Group (HOME) Director name: Mr Richard AshtonAmount sold: 249,975 @ 127.52p Value: £318,768Mattioli Woods (MTW) Director name: Mr Nathan James McLean ImlachAmount sold: 53,833 @ 240.00p Value: £129,199Mattioli Woods (MTW) Director name: Mr Nathan James McLean ImlachAmount sold: 37,209 @ 240.00p Value: £89,302Mattioli Woods (MTW) Director name: Mr Nathan James McLean ImlachAmount sold: 21,958 @ 240.00p Value: £52,699NR