Weekly Top Insider Buys: GE, BLK, APD, DG, CIT

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Oct 29, 2012
According to GuruFocus Insider Data, these are the largest insider buys during the past week: General Electric Co. (GE, Financial), BlackRock Inc. (BLK, Financial), Air Products & Chemicals Inc. (APD, Financial), Dollar General Corporation (DG, Financial) and CIT Group Inc. (CIT, Financial).

The overall trend of insiders is illustrated in the chart below:



General Electric Co. (GE): Director John Joseph Brennan Bought 5,000 Shares

Director of General Electric Co. John Joseph Brennan bought 5,000 shares on 10/26/2012 at an average price of $21.11. General Electric Co. operates as a technology and financial services company. General Electric Co. has a market cap of $232.61 billion; its shares were traded at around $21.11 with a P/E ratio of 15 and P/S ratio of 1.6. The dividend yield of General Electric Co. stocks is 3.1%. General Electric Co. had an annual average earnings growth of 10.3% over the past 10 years.

On Oct. 19, General Electric Co. announced third-quarter 2012 operating earnings of $3.8 billion, or $0.36 per share, up 10% and 50% respectively from the third quarter of 2011. Excluding the effects of the third-quarter 2011 preferred stock redemption, operating earnings per share rose 13%. GAAP earnings from continuing operations were $3.5 billion, or $0.33 per share (up 43%). Revenues were $36.3 billion for the quarter, up 3%, and up 6% excluding FX. Industrial segment revenues grew by 6%, with organic growth of 8%.

Last week, Director John Joseph Brennan bought 5,000 shares of GE stock. Vice Chairman John Krenicki sold 179,693 shares in August.

BlackRock Inc. (BLK): Director James Grosfeld Bought 449,998 Shares

Director of BlackRock Inc. James Grosfeld bought 449,998 shares during the past week at an average price of $186.99. BlackRock Inc. is one of the largest investment management firms in the U.S. BlackRock Inc. has a market cap of $31.59 billion; its shares were traded at around $186.99 with a P/E ratio of 14.8 and P/S ratio of 3.5. The dividend yield of BlackRock Inc. stocks is 3.2%. BlackRock Inc. had an annual average earnings growth of 26.1% over the past 10 years. GuruFocus rated BlackRock Inc. the business predictability rank of 4-star.

On Oct. 17, BlackRock Inc. reported third quarter 2012 diluted EPS of $3.65, up 19% from second quarter 2012 and 13% from third quarter 2011. Revenue grew 4% from third quarter 2011 reflecting positive market factors, positive net new business and strength in performance fees and BlackRock Solutions®. Operating income of $875 million and operating margin of 37.7% for third quarter 2012 included $25 million of launch costs for the Municipal Target Term Trust.

Last week, Director James Grosfeld bought 449,998 shares of BLK stock.

Air Products & Chemicals Inc. (APD): Director Lawrence S. Smith Bought 5,000 Shares

Director of Air Products & Chemicals Inc. Lawrence S. Smith bought 5,000 shares on 10/23/2012 at an average price of $77.92. Air Products and Chemicals Inc. has established an internationally recognized industrial gas and related industrial process equipment business, and developed strong positions as a producer of certain chemicals. Air Products & Chemicals Inc. has a market cap of $16.93 billion; its shares were traded at around $77.92 with a P/E ratio of 14.5 and P/S ratio of 1.7. The dividend yield of Air Products & Chemicals Inc. stocks is 3.2%. Air Products & Chemicals Inc. had an annual average earnings growth of 8% over the past 10 years. GuruFocus rated Air Products & Chemicals Inc. the business predictability rank of 2-star.

On Oct. 19, Air Products & Chemicals Inc. reported net income of $305 million and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.42 on a non-GAAP, continuing operations basis, for its fiscal fourth quarter ended September 30, 2012. On a GAAP basis, net income and diluted EPS from continuing operations were $137 million and $0.64, respectively, for the quarter.

Last week, Director Lawrence S. Smith bought 5,000 shares of APD stock.

Dollar General Corporation (DG): Director Patricia Filikrushel Bought 2,500 Shares

Director of Dollar General Corporation, Patricia Filikrushel, bought 2,500 shares on 10/18/2012 at an average price of $47.61. Dollar General Corporation is a discount retailer in the U.S. Dollar General Corporation has a market cap of $15.48 billion; its shares were traded at around $47.61 with a P/E ratio of 17.7 and P/S ratio of 1.1.

On Sept. 5, Dollar General Corporation reported results its fiscal 2012 second quarter (13 weeks) ended Aug. 3, 2012.The company’s net income increased by 47 percent to $214 million in the 2012 second quarter, compared to net income of $146 million in the 2011 second quarter. Adjusted net income, as defined in the accompanying table, increased 27 percent to $231 million in the 2012 quarter, compared to $181 million in the 2011 quarter. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased to $0.64 in the 2012 second quarter from $0.42 in the 2011 quarter.

Last week, Director Patricia Filikrushel bought 2,500 shares of DG stock. Director William C. Rhodes III bought 5,000 shares in June. Director Adrian M. Jones, 10% Owner Buck Holdings LP, 10% Owner KKR Fund Holdings LP, Chairman and CEO Richard W. Dreiling and Executive Vice President and CFO David M. Tehle sold shares this month.

CIT Group Inc. (CIT): Director Michael J. Embler Bought 1,500 Shares

Director of CIT Group Inc. Michael J. Embler, bought 1,500 shares on 10/26/2012 at an average price of $37.07. CIT Group Inc. is a bank holding company that provides financing and leasing capital for commercial companies throughout the world. CIT Group Inc. has a market cap of $8.05 billion; its shares were traded at around $37.07 with and P/S ratio of 1.7.

On Oct. 23, CIT Group Inc. reported a net loss for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2012 of $305 million, $1.52 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $32.8 million, $0.16 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2011. The current period includes charges of $471 million related to the redemption of $4.6 billion of high cost debt, while the year-ago period included charges of $169 million related to the redemption of the $3 billion first lien term loan and approximately $1.5 billion of high cost debt.

Last week, Director Michael J. Embler bought 1,500 shares of CIT stock.

For the complete list of stocks that were bought by their company executives, go to: Insider Buys.