In this bi-weekly column, we provide an overview of insider transactions and investments in Quebec companies.
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Paid options for Eric La Flèche
Photo by Eric La Flèche provided by Metro
Metro CEO Eric La Flèche made a profit of nearly $3.1 million by exercising stock options in the company, which operates the Metro, Jean Coutu, Super C, Brunet, Première, Harvest and Adonis chains. Mr. La Flèche has been with the retailer since 1991 and has been CEO since 2008. Metro's stock has remained unchanged over the past 52 weeks on the stock market.
The Iceland wind farm changes hands
Photo from the Dune-du-Nord wind farm website
A joint venture between agricultural cooperative Nutrinor and the Gilbert Group, both of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, announced this week the acquisition of Valeco Énergie Québec, which was owned by German giant EnBW. Valeco owns the Dune du Nord park in the Magdalen Islands, which has two wind turbines, as well as a portfolio of projects in various stages of development.
Big wins for two CGI vice presidents
François Boulanger photo from LinkedIn
François Boulanger, one of CGI's two operations managers, made a profit of more than $3.7 million last week by exercising options at the Quebec-based multinational IT services company. For his part, CGI's other operations manager, Jean-Michel Baticle, pocketed a profit of almost $7.4 million in the same way. The company's stock is up about 25% over the past 52 weeks.
An SME from Laval was sold to Italians
Photo from Italbec website
The Italian multinational building products company Mapei, which specializes in tile adhesives, has just acquired Diaplas, a manufacturer of metal and PVC profiles. Founded in 1989, the SME is based in Laval, where Mapei's Canadian headquarters are also located. The latter is represented in 57 countries and employs more than 12,000 people.
He buys Saputo
Carl Colizza. Photo courtesy
Carl Colizza, Saputo's chief operating officer for North America, bought just over $150,000 worth of shares in the Quebec dairy giant this week. Saputo's stock is up about 5% year-to-date, but has fallen more than 20% over the past 52 weeks.
The Germans make an acquisition in Sherbrooke
Illustration provided by Ovivo
E2metrix, a Sherbrooke-based company founded in 2011 that specializes in technologies to destroy “perpetual pollutants” in water, has accepted a purchase offer from Montreal-based Ovivo. The latter has belonged to the German group SKion Water since 2016. Caisse de dépôt was a shareholder of Ovivo until 2019.
A Richelieu manager exercises options
Guy Grenier photo from LinkedIn
Guy Grenier, vice president of sales and marketing for the industrial sector at Quincaillerie Richelieu, made a profit of nearly $75,000 this week by exercising options from the Montreal company. Mr. Grenier has worked for Richelieu for 34 years, including 18 years as Vice President.
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