Insider Trades

Furniture Brands International Inc. (NYSE: FBN) Chairman/CEO Ralph Scozzafava bought 50,000 shares on 2/8 at $4.10, bringing his indirect stake to 230,000 and his direct stake to 20,000.

In addition, President, Broyhill Furniture, Jeff Cook , bought 10,000 shares on 2/8 at $4.43. Also, Sr VP, Gen Counsel, Secretary, Jon Botsford bought 5,000 shares on 2/8 at $4.43.

The last time the CEO bought a large chuck of stock was in November 2009 in the mid-$3s. Also in January 2009 he bought when the stock was in the low $1s - currently it trades in the $4s.

Greenbrier Companies (NYSE: GBX) CEO William Furman bought 10,800 shares on 2/9 at $8.50, bringing his stake to 1,645,000 shares. Furman also bought 4,200 shares on 2/5 at $7.60.

The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets railroad freight car equipment in the United States, Mexico, and Poland.

After the close, Micrel (Nasdaq: MCRL) Co-Founder and CEO, Raymond D. Zinn, disclosed the purchase of 40,000 shares from 2/5-2/8 at prices from $7.36-$7.39, bringing his stake to 11,549,346 shares.

In addition, CFO Ray Wallin disclosed the purchase of 7,500 shares on 2/5 at $7.42, bringing his stake to 16,500 shares.

Shares of MCRL have sold off about 6.2% over the last month despite better than expected Q4 results and guidance on Jan 28th. The insider buys are clearly a vote of confidence from management in the value of the stock.

Health Management Associates Inc. (NYSE: HMA) Executive VP and CFO Kelly Curry bought 10,000 on 2/5 at $6.76.

Health Management Associates, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, primarily owns and operates general acute care hospitals in non-urban communities principally in the southeastern and southwestern United States.

FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) today reported that Pierre Brondeau, FMC president and chief executive officer, recently purchased $1 million of FMC common stock in open market transactions.

Regarding the transactions, Mr. Brondeau said, "This purchase underscores the confidence I have in FMC's future. We have a well-defined strategy for profitable growth and an attractive portfolio of businesses. These factors, when coupled with our strong financial position, will enable us to generate consistent earnings growth and deliver increasing value to our shareholders."