It's Tuesday, and that means it's time to check the most interesting insider purchases from the last week. After checking through numerous filings using insider tracking tool Form 4 Oracle, here are my top five from the past seven days:
|
Company |
Closing price 9/2/05 |
52-week change |
|---|---|---|
|
American Independence |
$13.24 |
-15% |
|
Books-A-Million |
$10.09 |
+47%* |
|
Endurance Specialty |
$36.69 |
+15%* |
|
Overstock |
$41.94 |
+28% |
|
Petco |
$23.00 |
-32% |
*Returns are calculated inclusive of dividends paid for the last annual period for those stocks where applicable.
Topping this week's list is Motley Fool Rule Breakers pick Overstock.com. With all the ranting and raving related to the company over the past week or so, it's worth noting that at least one insider -- John Byrne, CEO Patrick Byrne's father -- thinks the shares of the close-out retailer are worthy of an $8 million investment. (He bought 200,000 shares on Aug. 31.)
Next up is Motley Fool Inside Value pick Endurance Specialty. The Bermuda-based insurer has provided market-beating returns for subscribers since lead analyst Philip Durell recommended it for the February issue. Now fund manager Richard Perry, already a 10% owner with more than six million shares according to the latest 13-F filing, is spending roughly $5 million for more shares, despite the potential impact of Hurricane Katrina.
Finally, there's Motley Fool Hidden Gems "Tiny Gem" candidate Books-A-Million. The retailer has yet to file the 10-Q investors need to judge whether the underlying business is really improving, but some on the management team already seem to think so. Executive Chairman Clyde Anderson bought 48,500 shares on Aug. 26. His dad, former CEO Charles Anderson, copied that purchase the same day. Each is already a 10% owner in the company.
That's all for this week. See you back here next week when we dig through more insider deals in search of the next home run stock.
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Fool contributor Tim Beyers usually favors two scoops of ice cream over the inside scoop. Tim didn't own shares in any of the companies mentioned in this story at the time of publication. You can find out what is in his portfolio by checking Tim's Fool profile here. The Motley Fool has an ironclad disclosure policy.
