A Canadian Natural Resources pump jack pumps oil out of the ground near Dorothy, Alberta in this file photo.Todd Korol/Reuters
Featured below are 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. Selling activity may or may not be related to a stock's valuation; perhaps an insider needs to raise money for personal reasons. An insider's total holdings should be considered because a sale may, in context, be insignificant if this person has a large remaining position in the company. I tend to put great weight on insider transaction activity when I see multiple insiders trading a company's shares or units.
Let's begin the report detailing companies with buying activity.
Bellatrix Exploration Ltd. (BXE-T)
Prior to the consolidation of the common shares (five old shares to 1 new share), several insiders were accumulating shares in the market. On July 5, director John Cuthbertson purchased 100,000 shares. On July 4, director Keith Turnbull bought 30,000 shares. On June 28, the chairman Mickey Dunn acquired 179,100 shares, and on June 27, Garrett Ulmer, the company's chief operating officer, bought 20,000 shares, in addition to his purchase of 26,500 shares on June 23.
Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC-T)
On July 7, president and vice-chairman John Kanellitsas purchased 100,000 shares at an average cost of 66.5 cents (U.S.) per share for an account in which he has indirect ownership (spouse), increasing the portfolio's position to 342,223 shares. On July 4, fellow board member Keith Turnbull purchased 30,000 shares.
Paramount Resources Ltd. (POU-T)
On July 10, the firm's chief financial officer Bernard Lee acquired 10,000 shares in the market at an average price per share of $17.97, increasing his portfolio's holdings to 477,002 shares.
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The following companies have had recent selling activity.
Aritzia Inc. (ATZ-T)
On July 10, the company's chief information officer Dave MacIver exercised his options, and on the same day, he sold the corresponding number of shares (12,487) at an average price per share around the $14.64 level. Prior to that, on July 7, Mr. MacIver exercised his options, receiving 23,154 shares, all of which he sold that same day. Post these transactions, he does not hold any shares in this portfolio.
B2Gold Corp. (BTO-T)
On July 11, Kevin Bullock, who sits on the board of directors, sold 2,700 shares for an account in which he has control or direction.
On July 4, fellow board member Robert Gayton exercised his options, and on the same day, he sold the corresponding number of shares (100,000) at an average price of $3.57 per share, reducing his portfolio's holding to 279,000 shares.
Last month, we reported that on June 5, Bill Lytle, the senior vice-president of operations, exercised his options, receiving 69,802 shares. That day, he sold 22,263 shares at an average price of $3.38 per share, leaving a remaining portfolio balance of 125,938 shares.
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNQ-T)
On July 12, the executive chairman Murray Edwards sold 50,000 shares at an average price of $37.55 per share. He maintains a significant share balance, holding over 21-million shares in the portfolio.
On July 10, the president Steve Laut sold 5,000 shares at an average price of $37.0603 per share. After this sale, his portfolio's position was still significant holding over 2.4-million shares.
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Jennifer Dowty