Nuix shares bumped up 1.5 per cent in morning trade, capping off a steady 54 per cent recovery so far this year to $1.
Nuix investors are sensitive to insider trading allegations, given the company is still embroiled in several legal battles following its much-hyped, but ultimately disastrous IPO in early 2020.
In addition to inquiries from ASIC regarding its disclosure after the company’s IPO, three class actions from investors insisting they were misled during the lead-up to listing are underway.
According to the market announcement that ASIC is investigating, Nuix said Mr Rubinsztein had sought approval to buy the shares from Mr Bleich on September 1, which Mr Bleich had granted.
Mr Bleich’s conversation with Mr Jisa regarding a potential takeover happened on September 6 while on a trip to the US. Mr Rubinsztein purchased the shares on September 6, 7 and 8, with the purchase announced to the market on September 8.
In the statement to the ASX, Nuix said Mr Rubinsztein’s purchase of shares, made in an open trading window for directors following the release of the company’s annual results, was coincidental and Mr Rubinsztein wasn’t aware of any takeover discussions when he bought them.