14 companies with recent insider buying activity

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Featured below are 14 companies that have experienced recent insider buying activity in the public market through their direct and indirect ownerships. Keep in mind, when looking at transaction activities by insiders, purchasing activity may reflect perceived value in a security. I tend to put great weight on insider transaction activities when I see multiple insiders buying shares of a company.

5N Plus Inc. (VNP-T)

Several insiders have been actively purchasing shares.

Chairman of the board of directors Luc Bertrand has been actively acquiring shares. Mr. Bertrand bought 19,900 shares at an average price per share of $2.48 on May 10, purchased 12,500 shares at $2.4354 on May 9, accumulated 42,600 shares at $2.1553 on May 5, and bought 1 million shares at of $1.70 on Feb. 24. Following these transactions, his portfolio's share count stood at 1,100,000 shares.

Jean-Marie Bourassa, the company's chairman of the audit and risk management committee, purchased 45,000 shares at an average price per share of $2.4265 on May 9. The prior day, Mr. Bourassa purchased 20,000 shares at $2.2719. On May 5, he accumulated 25,900 shares at an average price per share of $2.20, and on Feb. 24, he purchased 250,000 shares at $1.70. After these transactions, his portfolio's position was 972,100 shares.

Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE-T)

On May 8, president and chief executive officer Brian Ferguson purchased 10,000 shares, increasing his portfolio's position to 165,966 shares.

On May 11, Ian Delaney, who sits on the board of directors, bought 25,000 shares at an average price per share of $13.2987, increasing his portfolio's position to 250,000 shares.

Last week, we reported that three insiders were accumulating shares.

Mr. Delaney purchased a total of 75,000 shares over three trading sessions, accumulating 25,000 shares at an average price per share of $12.9564 on May 4, buying 25,000 shares at $13.4762 on May 2, and purchasing 25,000 shares at $13.5604 the prior trading day. Harbir Chhina, executive vice-president of oil sands development, purchased a total of 100,000 shares over a number of trading days from April 28 to May 3. Following these transactions, his portfolio's share position stood at 502,477 shares.

In addition, executive vice-president of business innovation Judy Fairburn bought 20,500 shares on April 28.

Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (GTE-T)

On May 5, three executives accumulated shares in the public market. President and chief executive officer Gary Guidry bought 45,000 shares, increasing his portfolio's position to 2,527,000 shares. Ryan Ellson, the company's chief financial officer, purchased 16,000 shares, raising his portfolio's holdings to 236,030 shares, and vice-president of investor relations Rodger Trimble accumulated 15,150 shares, which increased his portfolio's position to 52,650 shares.

Great-West Lifeco Inc. (GWO-T)

On May 9, Deborah Barrett, a new director (since May 4), purchased 2,900 shares at an average price per share of $34.9051, initiating a portfolio position.

Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. (KL-T)

On May 8, chief financial officer Philip Yee purchased 32,000 shares at an average price per share of $9.05. This trade increased his portfolio's holdings to 65,000 shares. That same day, Arnold Klassen, who sits on the board of directors, acquired 10,000 shares at an average price per share of $9.0232, which doubled his portfolio's position to 20,000 shares.

Martinrea International Inc. (MRE-T)

On May 5, board member Frank Macher purchased 15,000 shares, initiating a portfolio position.

MCAN Mortgage Corp. (MKP-T)

On May 11, Loraine McIntosh, who became a board member this month, acquired 2,700 shares at an average price per share of $14.

Pembina Pipeline Corp. (PPL-T)

On May 9, board member Jeffrey Smith purchased 1,030 shares in the public market at an average price per share of $43.59.

Pengrowth Energy Corp. (PGF-T)

Numerous insider trades have recently occurred.

On May 5, Jamie Sokalsky, who sits on the board of directors, acquired 50,000 shares at an average price per share of $1.16, and purchased 150,000 at $1.1065 the prior day. Fellow board member Jim McFarland acquired 19,000 shares at an average price per share of $1.18 on May 5, and bought 39,050 shares the previous day.

On May 4, several trades by insiders took place.

Derek Evans, the company's president and chief executive officer, acquired 50,000 shares in the public market at an average price per share of $1.10, increasing his portfolio's position to 1,467,819 shares. Chief financial officer Chris Webster purchased 25,000 shares, lifting his portfolio's holdings to 730,071 shares. In addition, chairman of the board of directors Kel Johnston, bought 72,000 shares at an average price per share of $1.09, raising his portfolio's position to 139,389 shares. Michael Stewart, a long-standing board member, acquired 50,000 shares in a spousal RRSP. In addition, Andrew Grasby, senior vice-president, general counsel and corporate secretary, bought 10,000 shares on May 4, and another 10,000 shares the following day.

Supremex Inc. (SXP-T)

In relatively small transactions, the chairman of the board of directors Robert Johnston accumulated 1,800 shares at an average price per share of $4.85 on May 9, and acquired 3,200 shares at $4.81 the following day. After these two trades, his portfolio's position stood at 30,000 shares.

Teranga Gold Corp. (TGZ-T)

Last week, board member David Mimran reported four purchases. Mr. Mimran bought 131,600 shares at an average price per share of $3.6359 on May 11, 78,900 shares at $3.4734 on May 10, bought 91,800 shares at $3.3293 on May 9, and acquired 87,000 shares at $2.2322 on May 8.

Western Forest Products Inc. (WEF-T)

Two board members firmed up their holdings. Daniel Nocente acquired 50,000 shares at an average price per share of $2.1455 on May 8. This trade increased his portfolio's position to 75,000 shares. In addition, Michael Waites purchased 20,000 shares at an average price per share of $2.14 the following day, raising his portfolio's position to 60,000 shares.

Westshore Terminals Investment Corp. (WTE-T)

Jim Pattison, with an ownership position of over 10 per cent, continued to accumulate shares of Westshore Terminals, buying 80,000 shares at an average price per share of $22.70 on May 9, 166,000 shares at $22.7348 on May 8, 163,400 shares at $23.0449 on May 5 and acquiring 315,200 shares at $23.1185 on May 4. After these four purchases, his portfolio's position stood at 9,235,700 shares.

Yamana Gold Inc. (YRI-T)

On May 5, the chief financial officer Jason LeBlanc acquired 21,400 shares at an average price per share of $3.4196, lifting his portfolio's holdings to 27,462 shares. That same day, Sofia Tsakos, senior vice-president, general counsel and corporate secretary, bought 25,000 shares at an average price per share of $3.37, increasing her portfolio's position to 126,530 shares.