Touchstone Exploration CEO Paul Baay Acquires 183,800 Shares at C$0.135 on TSX

7 min read | July 02, 2026 09:01 PM BST | By Ishan Mudgal

Touchstone Exploration Inc. (TSX, LSE: TXP), the Calgary-based oil and gas producer focused on onshore Trinidad and Tobago, announced that its President and CEO, Paul R. Baay, purchased 183,800 common shares on 2 July 2026 at an effective price of C$0.135 per share on the Toronto Stock Exchange. This transaction was disclosed in compliance with UK Market Abuse Regulation requirements, triggering a formal Person Discharging Managerial Responsibilities (PDMR) notification. Such director share acquisitions are often viewed by investors as a sign of management confidence in the company’s outlook, making this disclosure particularly relevant to shareholders on both AIM and TSX. The announcement was made public on 3 July 2026.

Key Points

  • Company: Touchstone Exploration Inc., ticker TXP, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE)
  • CEO Paul R. Baay acquired 183,800 common shares on 2 July 2026
  • Shares purchased at an effective price of C$0.135 each in a single transaction on the Toronto Stock Exchange
  • Disclosure filed as an initial notification under UK Market Abuse Regulation PDMR rules
  • Touchstone operates exclusively in onshore petroleum and natural gas in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
  • Investors may watch for further director transactions or operational updates in coming weeks

Details of Paul Baay’s Market Purchase Confirmed

According to the PDMR notification released by Touchstone Exploration Inc. on 3 July 2026, Paul R. Baay, who serves as President, CEO, and director, completed the purchase of 183,800 common shares on 2 July 2026. The transaction occurred on the Toronto Stock Exchange at an effective price of C$0.135 per share. The announcement clarifies this was a single transaction with no price averaging involved.

The shares bear the ISIN CA89156L1085 and represent common shares of Touchstone Exploration Inc. The disclosure was submitted as an initial notification, with no amendments, in line with UK Market Abuse Regulation requirements applicable due to the company’s AIM listing. The total transaction value, based on the price and volume, amounts to approximately C$24,813, although the company did not specify this figure in the announcement.

UK Market Abuse Regulation and PDMR Disclosure Requirements for AIM Companies

As an AIM-listed company on the London Stock Exchange, Touchstone Exploration is subject to the UK Market Abuse Regulation (UK MAR), which mandates that Persons Discharging Managerial Responsibilities (PDMRs) and their closely associated persons disclose transactions in the company’s financial instruments. PDMRs include directors and senior executives, who must notify the issuer of any personal transactions, with the company then required to publicly disclose this information promptly.

The notification confirms Paul R. Baay’s status as a PDMR in his roles as director and CEO. The company’s Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is 2138008URBSUC1J24J73. Compliance with UK MAR is essential for maintaining the company’s regulatory standing on AIM and supports transparency that underpins investor confidence in this growth market.

Touchstone’s Dual Listing on TSX and AIM

Touchstone Exploration Inc. is dual-listed, trading under the ticker "TXP" on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. This dual listing requires adherence to regulatory frameworks in both Canada and the UK, with director transactions subject to disclosure on both markets.

Consequently, Touchstone’s shareholder base includes institutional and retail investors in Canada and the UK. For AIM investors, PDMR notifications provide a regulated channel for insider transaction information. The purchase being executed on the Toronto Stock Exchange aligns with the company’s Calgary headquarters, where executives typically transact on Canadian markets.

Touchstone’s Operations Focused on Trinidad and Tobago

Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Touchstone Exploration Inc. acquires interests in petroleum and natural gas rights and engages in exploration, development, production, and sale of hydrocarbons. Its operations are exclusively onshore in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, making it a specialist upstream producer focused on this jurisdiction.

Trinidad and Tobago offers a mature hydrocarbons sector and regulatory environment. Touchstone’s entire production and exploration portfolio is concentrated there, making developments in this acreage highly relevant to investors. The announcement contains no operational updates, production data, or guidance changes, focusing solely on the director share purchase disclosure.

Implications of CEO’s Open-Market Share Purchase for Shareholders

A CEO purchasing shares in the open market with personal funds is often interpreted by investors and analysts as a sign of confidence in the company’s value and prospects. Unlike incentive-based awards, such purchases reflect direct financial commitment at prevailing market prices.

However, such transactions do not represent investment advice or guarantee future performance. Investors should consider this as one data point among many. The announcement does not include comments from Paul Baay or other management regarding the motivation behind the purchase, nor any forward-looking statements. Any conclusions beyond the disclosed facts remain speculative.

Advisers and Brokers Supporting Touchstone’s London Market Activities

Touchstone’s announcement identifies its London market advisers and brokers. Canaccord Genuity serves as Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker on AIM, with contacts Adam James and Charlie Hammond reachable at +44 (0) 207 523 8000. The Nominated Adviser (Nomad) role includes regulatory responsibilities to ensure ongoing compliance.

Cavendish Capital Markets Limited acts as Joint Broker, with Neil McDonald, Derrick Lee, and Graham Hall as contacts at +44 (0) 131 220 6939. Financial public relations support is provided by FTI Consulting, with Nick Hennis and Ben Brewerton handling media relations at [email protected]. This adviser structure is typical for AIM-listed companies, combining Nomad oversight with joint broker and PR support.

Share Price Context and Market Response After Disclosure

The shares were acquired at C$0.135 each on 2 July 2026 on the Toronto Stock Exchange. This price offers a reference point for investors regarding the CEO’s purchase level. The announcement does not provide information on the company’s AIM share price in Sterling at the time or historical price comparisons.

Immediate market reaction was unclear at the time of writing. Investors tracking TXP on TSX or AIM may monitor trading activity following this PDMR disclosure, as director purchases can sometimes stimulate investor interest or commentary. Any market movement would reflect broader sentiment rather than specific company commitments.

Paul Baay’s Roles Within Touchstone Exploration

Paul R. Baay holds the combined roles of President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director at Touchstone Exploration. This consolidation of executive and board responsibilities is common in smaller or founder-led companies listed on growth markets like AIM and TSX. Baay is also a primary contact for investor inquiries, with a direct phone number listed as +1 (403) 750-4487.

Scott Budau serves as Chief Financial Officer, with both executives listed as primary corporate contacts for further information. The company directs stakeholders to its website, www.touchstoneexploration.com, for additional details. No changes to executive or board composition were noted in this announcement, which focuses solely on the PDMR share purchase.

Insights From the Formal PDMR Notification Format

The structured PDMR notification includes numbered sections detailing the identity of the person discharging managerial responsibilities, the reason for notification, issuer details, and transaction specifics, following the UK MAR standard template. Each section is fully completed, confirming this is a compliant initial notification with no amendments.

The transaction took place on the Toronto Stock Exchange and involved a single purchase on a single date at a single price, with no aggregation of trades. This clarity benefits investors seeking to understand the exact nature of the dealing without interpreting blended prices. Touchstone’s adherence to these disclosure requirements aligns with its obligations as an AIM-listed issuer and supports transparency under London’s regulatory framework.


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