The largest insider buys this week were in Conagra Brands Inc. (CAG, Financial), Darden Restaurants Inc. (DRI, Financial), Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (GTE, Financial) and USA Technologies Inc. (USAT, Financial).
Conagra Brands director bought 40,000 shares
Director Craig P. Omtvedt bought 40,000 shares on Jan. 2 for an average price of $33.99. The share price has fallen 1.91% since then.
Conagra Brands is an American packaged food company that manufactures and distributes products under brands such as Hunt’s, Healthy Choice, Orville Redenbacher’s and Slim Jim. Its products are distributed through both supermarkets and restaurants. The company has a market capitalization of $16.23 billion; as of Jan. 3, it traded at $33.34.
On Jan. 2, Conagra announced it completed the divestiture of its Lender’s Bagel business to Bimbo Bakeries USA Inc., a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de C.V. (MEX:BIMBO A) The divestiture will include the Lender’s brand, related intellectual property and the production facility and inventory in Mattoon III.
Gran Tierra Energy director bought 122,200 shares
Director Brooke N. Wade bought 122,200 shares on Dec. 27 for an average price of $1.26. The stock has gained 3.17% since then.
Gran Tierra Energy is a Canadian energy company that focuses on oil and gas exploration and production centered in South America. The company’s strategy centers on building a high-quality, diversified suite of assets in Colombia with high netback production and low base production declines. The company has a market capitalization of $2.84 billion; as of Jan. 3, it traded at $26.18.
On Nov. 5, Gran Tierra Energy announced financial results for the third quarter. Average production for the quarter was 32,918 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Net loss for the quarter was $29 million, while adjusted Ebitda was $68 million. Oil and gas sales were $132 million.
Darden Restaurants director bought 1,500 shares
Director Charles M. Sonsteby bought 1,500 shares for an average price of $108.74. The share price has risen 3.35% since then.
Darden Restaurants is an American restaurant operator that owns two fine dining chains, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood and The Capital Grille. The company also owns six casual dining restaurant chains, including Olive Garden, Long Horn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52. The company is a component of the S&P 500. It has a market capitalization of $13.78 billion; as of Jan. 3, it traded at $112.38.
On Dec. 19, Darden reported financial results for the second quarter of 2020, which ended Nov. 24. Total sales for the quarter increased 4.2% to $2.06 billion as compared to the prior-year quarter. Reported diluted net earnings per share were 21 cents, a decrease of 77.2% compared to a year ago. The company’s board of directors also declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 88 cents per common share, payable on Feb. 3, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Jan. 10.
USA Technologies chief compliance officer bought 2,189 shares
Chief Compliance Officer James M. Pollock bought 2,189 shares on Dec. 30 for an average price of $6.69. The share price has increased by 7.47% since then.
USA Technologies is an American software company that focuses on working with ePort cashless acceptance technology running on the company’s patented ePort Connect service. The platform facilitates electronic payment options to consumers so payment can be made with credit, debit or NFC-enabled electronic wallets. The company is a component of the Russell 2000. The company has a market capitalization of $458.90 million; as of Jan. 3, it traded at $7.19.
On Nov. 15, USA Technologies announced that National Entertainment Network LLC has signed an agreement to expand the companies' relationship. The agreement will allow the deployment of USAT’s NFC capable ePort Connect cashless system on 5,000 of National Entertainment Network’s game room entertainment and vending machines over one year. Around 1,800 devices have already been shipped.
For the complete list of stocks that were bought by their company executives, go to insider trades.
Disclosure: I do not own stock in any of the companies mentioned in the article.
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