FTSE 250 Movers: Transport surges, energy sector dips

Stagecoach saw shares surge after its 90%-owned joint venture with Virgin Rail won the contract from the Department for Transport to run the new InterCity East Coast franchise for eight years from March 2015.

Shares also jumped for plastic packaging supplier RPC, following the announcement of its intention to purchase Iceland-based Promens Group AS for £306.73m. The deal, RPC said, was aimed at strengthening the company’s position in Europe as well as meeting its increasing need for polymer.

Prices in the energy services sector were under pressure due to concerns that lower prices could prompt producers to scale back on project spend. Shares in Hunting and Amec Foster Wheeler fell as a result of lower oil prices and the timing of contracts.

Amec Foster Wheeler was also trading lower after going ex-dividend, meaning that investors will no longer have access to the company's latest payout. A number of other stocks went ex-dividend on Thursday, including Lancashire Holdings.

Risers

Stagecoach Group (SGC) 397.70p +7.49%

National Express Group (NEX) 255.60p +6.15%

Shaftesbury (SHB) 807.00p +5.91%

Greencore Group (GNC) 293.70p +5.61%

RPC Group (RPC) 577.00p +5.48%

JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 502.00p +5.11%

IP Group (IPO) 216.60p +4.74%

Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 118.80p +4.67%

Riverstone Energy Limited (RSE) 899.50p +4.41%

Nostrum Oil & Gas (NOG) 670.00p +4.12%

Fallers

Lancashire Holdings Limited (LRE) 545.00p -12.52%

Amec Foster Wheeler (AMFW) 1,015.00p -4.15%

EnQuest (ENQ) 62.65p -3.62%

3i Infrastructure (3IN) 146.10p -2.21%

Entertainment One Limited (ETO) 289.50p -1.86%

Dechra Pharmaceuticals (DPH) 801.00p -1.72%

Hunting (HTG) 663.50p -1.48%

Kier Group (KIE) 1,410.00p -1.47%

Ophir Energy (OPHR) 161.60p -1.46%

Acacia Mining (ACA) 232.00p -1.36%