FTSE 250 movers: Energy shares gain but Capita hit by MoD contract report
London's FTSE 250 was down 0.5% to 20,816.13 in afternoon trade on Monday as investors mulled over Trump's latest Twitter outburst.
Energy-related stocks rallied as oil prices gained on the back of US President Trump's Twitter threat to Iran, with Cairn Energy, Premier Oil, Wood Group and Hunting all higher.
Ascential, formerly EMAP, declined following the release of its first-half numbers, as it reported a small drop in earnings on the back of lower margins.
Still, Numis said the results were "good" and a little ahead of its expectations at every level, with group underlying revenue up an "encouraging" 7%.
Capita was under the cosh following a report that the Ministry of Defence has suspended an outsourcing contract to provide firefighting services on military sites after Serco began a legal challenge to the decision.
Wizz Air flew lower as low-cost carrier Ryanair posted a 20% drop in first-quarter pre-tax profit as higher costs and strikes took their toll. Pre-tax profit fell to €345.4m, while profit after tax was also down 20%, to €397m. Revenue rose 9% to €1.9bn as ancillary revenue pushed up 25%, while and passenger numbers grew 7% to 37.6m.
Chief executive officer Michael O'Leary attributed the drop in profit to lower fares, the absence of Easter in the quarter, higher oil price and pilot costs.
FTSE 250 - Risers
Sirius Minerals (SXX) 34.81p 3.30%
Cairn Energy (CNE) 234.76p 3.15%
Bank of Georgia Group (BGEO) 1,812.40p 2.23%
RPC Group (RPC) 779.00p 1.91%
Just Group (JUST) 123.90p 1.89%
Premier Oil (PMO) 122.80p 1.82%
International Public Partnerships Ltd. (INPP) 153.50p 1.79%
Provident Financial (PFG) 625.80p 1.72%
Wood Group (John) (WG.) 626.00p 1.66%
Hunting (HTG) 775.00p 1.64%
FTSE 250 - Fallers
Ascential (ASCL) 433.40p -5.66%
AA (AA.) 107.75p -4.90%
Capita (CPI) 159.10p -3.52%
BCA Marketplace (BCA) 234.25p -3.20%
Mediclinic International (MDC) 511.83p -3.17%
Bellway (BWY) 2,874.00p -2.97%
Big Yellow Group (BYG) 947.00p -2.87%
Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 3,615.00p -2.82%
Elementis (ELM) 251.00p -2.71%
Computacenter (CCC) 1,560.00p -2.62%