Tyson Acquisition Coincides with Executive Stock Apending

This summer has seen a flurry of local insider trades. Tyson Foods Inc.’s $4.6 billion (fluctuating daily) buyout of IBP Inc. — which will make the Springdale firm tops in both poultry and beef — has apparently spurred insider confidence among its directors. From June 1-28, Tyson executives bought 126,120 shares that had a combined purchase price of $1.42 million.

Here’s a look at all of the transactions greater than $10,000 in value made recently by officers and directors associated with publicly traded firms in Northwest Arkansas:

Jack C. Shewmaker, a director of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in Bentonville, on July 6 filed to sell 5,720 shares from his family trust at an average of $48.71, or $278,621 total. That would have left 3,427,177 shares in the Shewmaker trust valued at $162.2 million on July 6. His personal holdings included 597,758 shares valued at $32.4 million as of May 14.

Leland E. Tollett, a director of Tyson Foods Inc. in Springdale, from June 8-28 purchased 25,000 shares valued at $273,970 through three transactions. On June 8, he bought 15,000 shares at $12.08, or $181,200 total; on June 20 he bought 5,000 shares at an average of $9.53, or $47,570 total; and on June 28 he bought 5,000 shares at $9.04, or $42,500 total. Tollett’s holdings as of June 28 included 2,884,275 shares valued at $26.4 million and another 235,303 shares valued at $2.2 million held in a family trust.

Donald “Buddy” Wray, a director of Tyson Foods, bought 61,380 shares totaling $674,873 from June 1-28. He got half of those at $12.82 each and the other half at $9.17. His holdings as of June 28 were 347,185 shares valued at $3.2 million and another 381,296 shares valued at $3.5 million held in a family trust.

n Gerald M. Johnston, a director of Tyson Foods, on June 1 bought 29,740 shares valued at $12.82 each, or $381,267 total. His holdings as of June 2 were 29,740 shares valued then at $381,000 and 669,529 shares valued then at $8.4 million held in a family trust.

James “Kirk” Thompson, president & CEO of J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., from July 27 to Aug 3 filed to sell 8,750 shares for an estimated $219,652. From May 17-21, he exercised options to acquire 9,351 shares at prices from $12 to $17 each for a paper gain of $59,310. His holdings as of Aug. 10 included 160,789 shares valued at $3.8 million and 1,111 shares valued at $26,000 held in a family trust.

Larry J. Goddard, vice-president of finance at P.A.M. Transportation Services Inc. of Tontitown, on June 29 acquired 50,000 shares at $5.75 for a paper gain of $178,500 at a fair market value of $9.32 per share. His holdings as of July 16 included 97,123 shares valued at $909,000.

William C. Lawson, chief operating officer of P.A.M. Transportation, on June 29 exercised options to acquire 50,000 shares at $5.75 for a paper gain of $178,500 at a fair market value of $9.32 per share. His holdings as of July 16 included 80,900 shares valued at $757,000 and 5,000 shares valued at $47,000 held in a family trust.

n Johnnie B. Hunt, senior chairman and founder of J.B. Hunt, on June 26 gave 5,800 shares at $18.08 each, or $104,864 total, as a gift. His holdings as of that date include 141,527 shares valued at $2.6 million and 14,223,931 shares valued at $260.1 million held in a family trust.

Johnelle D. Hunt, corporate secretary and wife of J.B. Hunt’s founder, on June 26 had holdings of 1,041 shares valued at $19,000 and 14,223,931 shares valued at $262.9 million held in a family trust.

Shelby D. Massey, a director of Tyson Foods, on June 22 bought 10,000 shares at $8.97 each, or $89,700 total. Her holdings as of that date were 35,778 shares valued at $331,000. Her common holdings as of June 15 were 8,889 shares valued then at $80,000.

n Lloyd G. Davis, chief operating officer of Baldor Electric Co. in Fort Smith, on June 7 exercised options to acquire 2,000 shares at $7.50 for a paper gain of $28,580 at a fair market value of $21.79 per share. His holdings on July 18 included 90,687 shares valued at $1.9 million and 35,677 shares valued at $765,000 held in a family trust.

Alfred C. Harper, chief operating officer of J.B. Hunt, on June 8 privately bought 2,093 shares at an average of $12.25, or $25,475 total. He also accrued 235 shares on June 8 at $19.50, or $4,582 total, as part of a company purchase plan. His holdings as of that date included 40,212 shares valued at $784,000.

n Steven R. Cherry, vice president of brand development at Brass Eagle Inc. in Bentonville, from June 5-15 sold 1,389 shares at $9 each, or $12,501 total. His holdings on July 5 included 8,889 shares valued at $77,000.