FTSE 250 movers: Aston Martin accelerates, Future falls

London's FTSE 250 was higher by 0.31% at 20,930.17 in afternoon trade on Wednesday, with Aston Martin Lagonda leading the index upward.

Healthcare services provider UDG Healthcare followed close behind after posting a rise in annual profits on Tuesday thanks to a decline in one-off charges and wider operating margins.

Ferrexpo climbed after Deutsche Bank analysts said the iron pellet producer's valuation was "attractive", though they reiterated their 'hold' rating due to concerns over European steel demand and corporate governance issues.

Publisher Future was under the cosh after its senior management trimmed their holdings in the media firm as part of a £44.0m share sale.

CMC Markets analyst David Madden said: "Ordinarily, it looks bad when top executives in a company are seeking to trim their positions in the firm, but earlier this month the share price hit a record high so they are doing it from a position of strength."

Pets at Home was also among the top risers, having gained ground on Tuesday after it reported an increase in interim profit and said it was on track to deliver annual pre-tax profit towards the top end of current market views.

Capital & Counties was also in the red after HSBC analysts cut their rating of the property investment and development company from 'buy' to 'hold' in a report on European retail real estate.

Finally, Pub landlord Mitchells and Butlers dropped after analysts at Berenberg downgraded their recommendation for the stock from 'buy' to 'hold', noting that its share price had increased by around 70% since an upgrade to 'buy' in June.

"While we think that performance is well warranted, it has been driven almost entirely through multiple re-rating, with only modest earnings upgrades. As a result, we think the shares are at least due a pause for breath," said analysts.

Market Movers

FTSE 250 (MCX) 20,930.17 0.31%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 569.80p 7.47%
UDG Healthcare Public Limited Company (UDG) 785.50p 4.73%
Sirius Minerals (SXX) 3.54p 4.31%
Ferrexpo (FXPO) 152.30p 3.89%
Sirius Real Estate Ltd. (SRE) 82.00p 3.80%
Investec (INVP) 446.70p 3.57%
Royal Mail (RMG) 214.20p 3.38%
Airtel Africa (AAF) 76.05p 3.33%
Network International Holdings (NETW) 564.00p 3.30%
Lancashire Holdings Limited (LRE) 750.00p 3.09%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Future (FUTR) 1,442.00p -8.27%
Pets at Home Group (PETS) 235.00p -5.62%
Convatec Group (CTEC) 188.45p -3.97%
CLS Holdings (CLI) 266.00p -2.92%
Capital & Counties Properties (CAPC) 244.20p -2.71%
Card Factory (CARD) 154.80p -2.21%
Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 457.50p -2.03%
Mediclinic International (MDC) 390.80p -1.49%
Capita (CPI) 158.60p -1.46%
PureTech Health (PRTC) 281.00p -1.40%