(Sharecast News) - SSP revealed on Thursday that chief executive Patrick Coveney had acquired 40,000 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed food and beverage outlet operator.

Coveney, who joined SSP in February 2012, purchased the shares on Wednesday at an average price of 185.19p each, for a total value of £74,076.

As of 1620 BST, SSP shares were down 1.87% at 178.60p.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com

Top Director Buys

Condor Gold (CNR)

Director name: Mellon ,James(Jim)

Amount purchased: 3,333,332 @ 15.00p

Value: £499,999.82

Ssp Group (SSPG)

Director name: Coveney,Patrick

Amount purchased: 40,000 @ 185.19p

Value: £74,076.00

Earnz (EARN)

Director name: Holt,Bob

Amount purchased: 666,666 @ 8.25p

Value: £54,999.95

Diaceutics (DXRX)

Director name: Paterson,Graham

Amount purchased: 39,934 @ 128.89p

Value: £51,470.93

Mears Group (MER)

Director name: Lockwood,Angela

Amount purchased: 6,480 @ 383.70p

Value: £24,863.76

Rs Group (RS1)

Director name: Ringrose ,Kate

Amount purchased: 2,421 @ 821.57p

Value: £19,890.21

Rs Group (RS1)

Director name: Ringrose ,Kate

Amount purchased: 2,421 @ 821.57p

Value: £19,890.21

Rs Group (RS1)

Director name: Ringrose ,Kate

Amount purchased: 1,089 @ 821.57p

Value: £8,946.90

Rs Group (RS1)

Director name: Ringrose ,Kate

Amount purchased: 1,089 @ 821.57p

Value: £8,946.90

Informa (INF)

Director name: Martell,Patrick

Amount purchased: 212 @ 851.13p

Value: £1,804.40

Informa (INF)

Director name: Wright,Gareth

Amount purchased: 211 @ 851.13p

Value: £1,795.88

Informa (INF)

Director name: Carter,Stephen A

Amount purchased: 211 @ 851.13p

Value: £1,795.88

Top Director Sells

Taseko Mines Limited Npv (di) (TKO)

Director name: Dickinson,Robert

Amount sold: 100,000 @ $4.10

Value: $242,560.63

Taseko Mines Limited Npv (di) (TKO)

Director name: Hallbauer,Russell

Amount sold: 70,000 @ $3.95

Value: $163,580.53

Taseko Mines Limited Npv (di) (TKO)

Director name: Hallbauer,Russell

Amount sold: 50,000 @ $4.15

Value: $122,759.35

Earnz (EARN)

Director name: Holt,Bob

Amount sold: 666,666 @ 8.25p

Value: £54,999.95