Shares digital

It may look like a large statement of intent but there is a simpler explanation to £1.3 million worth of share purchases by directors of Premier Oil (PMO). These were in fact awards under the company's deferred share scheme, and while this may seem a generous handout to executives, investors are unlikely to quibble given the stellar share price performance in recent years, rising from roughly 500p to the current £13.76.

There could be more to come given that EPS is predicted to double this year to around 87p. Analysts at investment bank UBS have recently upped their target price to £16.50.

Shares says: An attractive investment in the current soaring oil price environment.