FTSE 250 movers: FirstGroup tumbles on results; Micro Focus gains
By Michele Maatouk
Date: Wednesday 08 Jul 2020
(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 250 was down 0.6% at 17,240.97 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
Bus and rail operator FirstGroup slumped as it pulled guidance and said it swung to a full-year loss as coronavirus lockdowns in the UK and US hit operations. The company warned of "material uncertainties" as it reported an operating loss of £152.7m compared with a £9.8m profit a year ago. Pre-tax losses for the year to end-March widened to £299.6m from £97.9m, while revenue rose £7.7bn from £7.1bn.
National Express was also trading lower.
Victrex, a supplier of high-performance polymer solutions, lost ground after it reported an 18% decline in third-quarter revenues and said Covid-related headwinds began to impact its performance in May and June after a broadly stable performance in April.
Budget airlines easyJet and Wizz Air flew lower amid ongoing concerns about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
On the upside, PureTech Health was the top riser as Peel Hunt reiterated its 'conviction buy' rating on the stock, while software company Micro Focus was higher after a rating upgrade at Credit Suisse.
FTSE 250 - Risers
PureTech Health (PRTC) 290.00p 9.02%
Spirent Communications (SPT) 256.50p 4.06%
Euromoney Institutional Investor (ERM) 885.00p 3.75%
Micro Focus International (MCRO) 365.80p 3.68%
Apax Global Alpha Limited (APAX) 145.80p 3.55%
Pantheon International (PIN) 2,075.00p 3.49%
Centamin (DI) (CEY) 189.50p 3.44%
Hammerson (HMSO) 86.64p 3.36%
Fidelity China Special Situations (FCSS) 307.50p 3.19%
IP Group (IPO) 63.40p 3.09%
FTSE 250 - Fallers
FirstGroup (FGP) 41.56p -15.49%
Victrex plc (VCT) 1,845.00p -7.10%
Energean (ENOG) 513.00p -6.73%
easyJet (EZJ) 659.20p -6.23%
Signature Aviation (SIG) 232.80p -5.25%
Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 3,214.00p -5.25%
Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 163.20p -5.23%
National Express Group (NEX) 167.70p -4.99%
Pets at Home Group (PETS) 229.60p -4.01%
Tate & Lyle (TATE) 638.00p -3.97%
Email this article to a friend
or share it with one of these popular networks:
You are here: news
10 Lower Thames St,
London EC3R 6EN