FTSE 250 movers: Grafton, Rank Group gain ground

London’s FTSE 250 was up 0.5% at 24,005.88 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.

Building materials group Grafton was a high riser after it reported record profits and reinstated its dividend following a strong performance from its Woodies business in Ireland. The company said adjusted pre-tax profits soared 340% to £148.6m on revenues up 46.1% to £1.02bn. A dividend of 8.5p a share was declared.

Rank Group rallied after the bingo hall and casino operator said UK tax authorities have decided not to appeal against a tribunal ruling over value added tax on slot machines.

Rank said the first-tier tribunal had agreed a 60-day extension to allow Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Rank to agree the exact size of the claim, with the gambling firm still expecting to receive around £80m.

FTSE 250 - Risers

Wood Group (John) (WG.) 248.70p 6.69%
Reach (RCH) 415.00p 5.60%
Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 179.95p 5.42%
Grafton Group Ut (CDI) (GFTU) 1,358.00p 3.74%
Volution Group (FAN) 522.00p 3.57%
Moonpig Group (MOON) 398.40p 3.48%
Cineworld Group (CINE) 68.50p 3.47%
Virgin Money UK (VMUK) 209.80p 3.20%
Rank Group (RNK) 178.00p 3.13%
Syncona Limited NPV (SYNC) 209.00p 2.96%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Capita (CPI) 47.23p -5.14%
Petropavlovsk (POG) 20.38p -1.74%
Indivior (INDV) 189.50p -1.66%
PureTech Health (PRTC) 332.00p -1.63%
Avon Protection (AVON) 1,877.00p -1.47%
TI Fluid Systems (TIFS) 304.50p -1.46%
Britvic (BVIC) 975.00p -1.32%
Tyman (TYMN) 402.00p -1.23%
Hochschild Mining (HOC) 153.00p -1.23%
Chemring Group (CHG) 333.00p -1.19%