LONDON (ShareCast) - Public transport group Stagecoach dropped sharply on Wednesday after announcing that full-year profit from its UK and US bus operations will be lower than previously expected. Writing in its half-year results, the group said that although it had made a "satisfactory" start to the second half of the financial year, trading trends in recent weeks have changed its view of the likely divisional mix of profit.
Micro Focus International dropped into the red after reporting a drop in pre-tax profit in the first half. It was dragged further in to the red by Panmure Gordon and Numis both cut their ratings on the stock to 'hold'.

On the upside, home-shopping fashion retailer N Brown Group climbed after it said that its trading performance had improved since September following a reported decline in revenues.

In its previous update, the group warned of lower full-year profit after a drop in revenue in September. At the time of the announcement in October, N Brown's sales had suffered due to an unseasonably mild autumn resulting in a weak start to the group's second half.

Beazley also rose, lifted by JPMorgan Chase & Co, which upped its price target from 258p to 280p in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday. The firm retained it's 'neutral' rating on the stock.


FTSE 250 - Risers
Brown (N.) Group (BWNG) 352.90p +7.89%
Vesuvius (VSVS) 440.80p +3.64%
Beazley (BEZ) 278.10p +3.00%
Inchcape (INCH) 721.00p +3.00%
Card Factory (CARD) 257.80p +2.96%
UBM (UBM) 456.00p +2.96%
IG Group Holdings (IGG) 679.00p +2.80%
Smith (DS) (SMDS) 312.00p +2.80%
Bwin.party Digital Entertainment (BPTY) 109.50p +2.72%
Infinis Energy (INFI) 228.50p +2.70%

FTSE 250 - Fallers
Stagecoach Group (SGC) 373.10p -8.42%
EnQuest (ENQ) 37.91p -7.42%
Micro Focus International (MCRO) 1,052.00p -6.99%
Afren (AFR) 36.51p -5.95%
Ferrexpo (FXPO) 62.35p -5.82%
Hunting (HTG) 510.50p -5.02%
Amec Foster Wheeler (AMFW) 828.00p -3.21%
Fenner (FENR) 218.80p -3.10%
Ophir Energy (OPHR) 123.50p -2.76%
Wood Group (John) (WG.) 558.00p -2.70%

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