FTSE 250 movers: Kainos surges; FirstGroup hit by downgrade

London’s FTSE 250 was up 0.3% at 17,938.17 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.

Kainos surged after the company upgraded its full-year expectations, while Synthomer racked up strong gains after the chemicals business lifted its full-year earnings guidance and reinstated its dividend.

Ashmore pushed higher after the asset manager said assets under management rose 2.3% in the first quarter.

EasyJet flew higher as the low-cost airline confirmed that chief financial officer designate Kenton Jarvis would take up the role on 3 February.

FirstGroup was under the cosh after HSBC downgraded its recommendation on the transport operator to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ following weak full-year results but said the going concern risks look overdone.

Cineworld and pub chain Mitchells & Butlers were weaker again amid concerns about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and related restrictions.

FTSE 250 - Risers

Kainos Group (KNOS) 1,332.00p 30.59%
Synthomer (SYNT) 394.60p 18.50%
Ashmore Group (ASHM) 390.40p 7.55%
Just Group (JUST) 44.92p 5.15%
Just Eat Takeaway.Com N.V. (CDI) (JET) 9,282.00p 4.98%
WH Smith (SMWH) 1,006.00p 4.68%
ITV (ITV) 75.80p 3.64%
Ibstock (IBST) 164.40p 3.20%
easyJet (EZJ) 497.70p 2.64%
Dunelm Group (DNLM) 1,567.00p 2.62%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

FirstGroup (FGP) 48.20p -9.06%
Indivior (INDV) 104.50p -5.43%
Cineworld Group (CINE) 26.84p -4.99%
Greggs (GRG) 1,306.00p -4.11%
Capita (CPI) 28.42p -3.69%
Serco Group (SRP) 120.00p -3.23%
Great Portland Estates (GPOR) 615.20p -2.75%
Babcock International Group (BAB) 252.80p -2.73%
Sanne Group (SNN) 627.00p -2.64%
Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 133.40p -2.63%