Lancaster family top up on DSL as year-end approaches

The family of Mark Lancaster, the chief executive of translation and localisation services provider SDL, has increased its stake in the company just over a week after the company's well-received third quarter results.Isabel and Maria Lancaster, two "connected persons" of Lancaster, purchased 10,000 and 14,500 SDL shares respectively at 349.8p per share on 24 October 2014, costing a total of £85,701.As a result of these purchases, Lancaster's family holding is now 1.69% of the company he founded in 1992.The results helped the shares bounce from a three-month low but they are still some way short of a 12-month high of 403.5p from March. SDL's all-time of 756p was in 2012.SDL's third quarter update showed profits were in line with market expectations with the technology segment's new licence bookings enjoying another quarter of "considerable growth" resulting in creating good year-on-year constant currency growth in sales and annual recurring revenue growth.The Language Services segment had "solid" earnings growth with both gross and net margins ahead of last year.Lancaster impressed with news that SDL continued to win new business, gain momentum and grow the customer base, particularly at the high end of the market to brands such as UBS, Kogi Intech and Intel.Top Director BuysSDL (SDL) Director name: Mr Mark LancasterAmount purchased: 24,500 @ 349.80p Value: £85,701StatPro Group (SOG) Director name: Mr Mark C AdorianAmount purchased: 82,600 @ 71.00p Value: £58,646StatPro Group (SOG) Director name: Mr Justin WheatleyAmount purchased: 55,000 @ 74.50p Value: £40,975Ladbrokes (LAD) Director name: Mr David Martin Amount purchased: 25,000 @ 117.30p Value: £29,325Ladbrokes (LAD) Director name: Mr Darren M ShaplandAmount purchased: 10,000 @ 116.70p Value: £11,670Ladbrokes (LAD) Director name: Mr John Kelly OBEAmount purchased: 10,000 @ 116.00p Value: £11,600