CMC Markets founder and CEO Lord Peter Cruddas intends to invest up to £5 million in the London-listed broker’s shares, including an initial purchase of approximately £139,000 completed on Friday.
Cruddas acquired 23,011 ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at prices slightly above 604 pence per share. The transaction leaves up to approximately £4.86 million available for further market purchases under the stated maximum.
The £5 million figure reflects current intent rather than a firm commitment. CMC Markets said there is no guarantee regarding the number of additional shares Cruddas will acquire or the timing, price and final value of future transactions.
Any further purchases will depend on market conditions and require clearance under the company’s share-dealing rules. They will also be subject to disclosure requirements for senior executive transactions.
Purchases Would Have Limited Effect on Control
Cruddas founded CMC Markets in 1989 and remains its controlling shareholder, holding of approximately 64.6%.
At around 604 pence, the full £5 million would buy about 828,000 shares. Assuming the company’s share count remained unchanged, that would increase Cruddas’ ownership by roughly 0.3 percentage points and have only a limited effect on his control.
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"As founder and long-term CEO, I am adding more shares to my investment in the company,” Cruddas said. “I intend to make further investments in the near term.”
The transactions represent a personal investment by the CEO rather than a corporate share buyback. No company funds will be used, and the shares acquired by Cruddas will remain outstanding.
Cruddas bought the shares at approximately 604 pence, below the previous session’s 658-pence close. CMC Markets ended Friday at 632 pence, down about 4%.
Purchase Follows Stronger Financial Year
In its preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2026, CMC reported net operating income of £392.6 million, up 15% from £340.1 million.
Profit before tax increased 20% to £101.3 million, while the full-year dividend rose 21% to 13.8 pence per share. CMC is scheduled to publish its first-half 2027 results in November.
Any further purchases by Cruddas will require separate market disclosures after the transactions are completed.
