Two BP Executive VPs slim down shareholdings

Making the most of a strong week, two of BP's divisional Executive Vice Presidents have between them sold 130,000 shares in the same week oil giant delivered a better-than-expected performance in the third quarter.Mike Daly, the company's Executive Vice President of exploration, traded in 24,473 shares at 450p and 15,527 shares for 445p, earning a total of £179,224. Andy Hopwood, the Executive Vice President of E&P Strategy & Integration, made three purchases of 30,000 shares for an average price of 445.65p each, pocketing £401,085 altogether. The strong performance seen in the third quarter was driven by the refining (downstream) business, where underlying replacement cost profit before interest and tax improved to a record $3,004m from $1,129m in the preceding quarter and $1,666m in the corresponding period of 2011. Adjusted replacement cost profit in the third quarter was $5.17bn, up from $3.69bn in the preceding quarter, although down from $5.46bn in the corresponding quarter of 2011. The quarterly dividend was hiked to nine cents from eight cents in the second quarter. Top Director BuysCLS Holdings (CLI) Director name: Mr Sten A MortstedtAmount purchased: 17,228 @ 705.50p Value: £121,544HydroDec Group (HYR) Director name: Lord Colin MoynihanAmount purchased: 790,000 @ 12.50p Value: £98,750Unilever (ULVR) Director name: Ms Ann M FudgeAmount purchased: 1,600 @ 2,323.50p Value: £37,176Spirit Pub Company (SPRT) Director name: Mr Michael TyeAmount purchased: 93,611 @ 60.89p Value: £57,000PureCircle Ltd. (DI) (PURE) Director name: Mr Paul E Selway-SwiftAmount purchased: 12,000 @ 240.00p Value: £28,800PureCircle Ltd. (DI) (PURE) Director name: Mr Paul E Selway-SwiftAmount purchased: 12,000 @ 240.00p Value: £28,800F&C Asset Management (FCAM) Director name: Mr Edward BramsonAmount purchased: 20,000 @ 99.78p Value: £19,956Spirit Pub Company (SPRT) Director name: Mr Paddy GallagherAmount purchased: 26,276 @ 60.89p Value: £15,999Caterpillar Inc. (CTA) Director name: Mr Eugene V FifeAmount purchased: 162 @ € 65.74 Value: € 10,650NR