Is a 21% tumble in one month prompting a slew of insider buys on this ASX 200 stock?

Seven out of eight directors of this ASX 200 company just bought more shares.

| More on:
A man sits in deep thought with a pen held to his lips as he ponders his computer screen with a laptop open next to him on his desk in a home office environment.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

ASX 200 stock Bapcor Ltd (ASX: BAP) has taken a 21% dive over the past month, which is perhaps one of the reasons why we've seen seven recent insider buys.

An analysis of recent ASX lodgements shows seven out of the eight members of Bapcor's board of directors bought more shares late last week.

This follows a disappointing update delivered at last Tuesday's annual general meeting (AGM).

On the day of the AGM, the Bapcor share price dipped by 11.5% and closed at $5.91.

The ASX 200 stock is currently changing hands for $5.51 apiece, up 0.73% so far on Tuesday.

Meantime, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 0.22%.

7 insider buys on ASX 200 stock

Bapcor lodged a series of notices on Thursday and Friday advising the ASX of changes in the shareholdings of seven of its directors.

All seven of these insider buys took place last Wednesday or Thursday.

Bapcor CEO and managing director Noel Meehan made the biggest purchase of the group, acquiring 35,778 Bapcore shares on-market for $5.5567 per share. He bought through a family superannuation fund and increased his holdings via the fund by 28%.

Kate Spargo was also planning for retirement when she bought 10,000 more shares through her super fund on-market for $5.589 per share. This raised her personal super holdings in Bapcor by 50% to 30,000 shares.

Rebecca Dee-Bradbury joined the Bapcor board on 1 September. She did not hold Bapcor shares before purchasing 10,000 on-market last Wednesday at $5.58 apiece. She bought through a family trust.

Independent non-executive chair Margaret Haseltine bought 6,500 shares on-market via her personal super fund, paying $5.64 apiece.

Mark Bernhard bought 5,000 shares on-market at $5.78 per share, raising his stake by 22% to 27,500 Bapcor shares.

James Todd got the best price of his cohort, paying $5.41 for 5,000 shares on-market via his super fund.

Finally, Brad Soller picked up 3,500 shares on-market for $5.519 apiece.

Why are these directors buying?

We can't speculate as to each director's personal motivations for buying more of this ASX 200 stock.

But given the recent 21% tumble in the Bapcor share price, it may be a case of buying the dip.

Buying the dip is a great strategy for ASX investors who are confident in a company's future.

When the share price drops, they buy more stock to increase their holdings at a discount. Buying at a low price reduces the average per-share value of all of their holdings. This is known as dollar-cost averaging.

Investors often take comfort from seeing insider buys of the companies they hold.

An insider buy signals confidence. Investors like seeing directors increasing their own 'skin in the game' by investing their own money in the companies they run.

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Bapcor. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

A young woman looks happily at her phone in one hand with a selection of retail shopping bags in her other hand.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Bell Potter names the best ASX retail stocks to buy

The broker thinks you should add these retailers to your shopping list.

Read more »

A female Woolworths customer leans on her shopping trolley as she rests her chin in her hand thinking about what to buy for dinner while also wondering why the Woolworths share price isn't doing as well as Coles recently
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Woolworths shares are down 12% from their peak. Should those who don't own them consider buying now?

Are the supermarkets shares a good buy today?

Read more »

A row of Rivians cars.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Trading near 12-month lows, are Bapcor shares worth a look?

Bapcor shares have been sold off on weak trading results, but does that mean they're now worth running the ruler…

Read more »

a woman stands behind a market stall smiling widely with a wide range of colourful fresh produce on display in front of her.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

How much upside does Macquarie predict for Coles shares?

The broker recently toured the supermarket giant's vertically integrated fresh food production site in NSW.

Read more »

A row of Rivians cars.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

3 reasons to buy this racing ASX 200 stock

Brokers are positive about a new rally.

Read more »

Seven people look for bargains to buy at a yard sale.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Macquarie names its top ASX consumer staples and consumer discretionary stock picks

Do you have exposure to these stocks in your portfolio?

Read more »

Man with his head on his head with a red declining arrow and A worried man holds his head and look at his computer as the Megaport share price crashes today
Share Fallers

Why is the Bapcor share price crashing 19% on Tuesday?

Investors are punishing Bapcor shares today. But why?

Read more »

farmer using a laptop and looking at the share price
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

What's Bell Potter's updated view on this booming consumer staples stock?

Is this olive oil producer a buy, hold or sell?

Read more »