Investors may want to pay attention to the investment moves made by directors of S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares. A buy could signal an opportunity for regular investors, but a sell might be concerning for shareholders.
Of course, just because a director buys some shares doesn't mean the share price is going to go up, particularly in the short term. At the same time, a sale doesn't necessarily mean the share price is going to fall.
Let's dive into what some of the latest director transactions have been.
Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING)
Inghams is one of the largest poultry businesses in Australia. Since the start of 2023, the Inghams share price has gained around 5%, as we can see on the chart above.
There were two director investments announced on 12 May 2023. Jacqueline McArthur bought 3,865 Inghams shares for $3.01 apiece.
It was also announced Linda Nicholls had decided to buy another 7,977 shares of the ASX 200 stock.
Inghams recently responded to an article in agribusiness publication The Weekly Times that raised the issue of high chicken mortality rates among some of Inghams' flocks. The deaths were attributed to a pathogen affecting poultry stocks.
The company said the issue was not expected to have a "material effect" on Ingham's forecast financial result.
Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC)
Charter Hall is one of the largest property fund managers in Australia. Since the start of 2023, the Charter Hall share price has fallen by around 2.5%.
There are two directors who have recently bought shares. These purchases were also announced on 12 May 2023.
Managing director and CEO David Harrison bought another 50,000 Charter Hall shares for a total cost of $550,000. Meanwhile, director David Ross bought 7,500 shares for a total of $82,125.
Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)
Macquarie is Australia's largest investment bank. Since the start of 2023, Macquarie shares have risen by 7%.
The ASX 200 stock also saw two directors make some transactions.
Mike Roche reported the acquisition of 500 Macquarie shares for a cost of $173.40 per share.
Rebecca McGrath's entity bought 575 Macquarie shares on 9 May 2023 for $177.07 per share, but also sold 288 Macquarie shares on 9 May 2023 for $176.78 per share. The entity also bought 145 Macquarie shares on 12 May 2023 for $178.85.
Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE)
The ASX 200 stock describes itself as the leading automotive retail group in Australia and New Zealand.
Since the start of the year, the Eagers Automotive share price has jumped around 30%.
There was a large sale involving a director here. It was done by Michelle Prater in her capacity as executrix of the estate of Joycelyn Wheatley. Given that, I'm not sure how much shareholders can truly read into the sale of 246,506 Eagers Automotive shares for $14.20 per share.
