FTSE 250 movers: OneSavings gains after update, Wizz flies lower
London's FTSE 250 was flat at 20,309.43 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
OneSavings Bank was the standout gainer after it reported 17% growth in its loan book for the first nine months of the year, driven primarily by its buy-to-let activities, as it bumped up its loan book growth forecast. For the first nine months to the end of September, net loans and advances grew by £997m to £6.9bn.
Insurer Esure was also doing well after it lifted its guidance for the full year following a record third quarter thanks to a strong performance in the motor division. In a trading update for the nine months to 30 September, the insurer said gross written premiums rose 25.4% to £625.8m, helped along by a 30% rise in premiums in the motor business to £561.5m. However, premiums in the home division were down 6% at £64.3m.
Workspace advanced as it posted a jump in interim pre-tax profit and net rental income amid good customer demand. In the period from 1 April to 30 September, pre-tax profit rose to £123.7m from £7.1m at the same time a year ago, with net rental income up 21% to £46.1m. Meanwhile, the interim dividend was lifted 30% to 8.84p.
Sophos was on the front foot after raising its outlook for annual sales as the security software company's trading picked up during the first half of the year.
On the downside, low-cost Hungarian airline Wizz Air flew lower despite lifting its profit outlook following record first-half results, with “robust” trading across all of the group’s markets.
Bovis Homes, Crest Nicholson and Redrow were down after FTSE 100 peer Persimmon issued a statement that analysts said was said was light on detail, with no mention of sales rates, pricing or margins.
Risers
OneSavings Bank (OSB) 413.40p 4.00%
esure Group (ESUR) 266.10p 3.50%
Kaz Minerals (KAZ) 831.50p 3.23%
Workspace Group (WKP) 934.50p 3.15%
Sophos Group (SOPH) 633.50p 3.09%
Indivior (INDV) 392.20p 2.99%
Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 352.20p 2.83%
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels (MLC) 625.00p 2.46%
Intu Properties (INTU) 213.90p 2.44%
Hochschild Mining (HOC) 230.00p 2.31%
Fallers
Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 3,006.00p -9.87%
Bovis Homes Group (BVS) 1,160.00p -2.93%
Ocado Group (OCDO) 263.70p -2.73%
Crest Nicholson Holdings (CRST) 542.00p -2.69%
Redrow (RDW) 633.00p -2.31%
Cobham (COB) 132.80p -2.21%
Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 259.30p -2.15%
Sanne Group (SNN) 751.00p -2.15%
Ultra Electronics Holdings (ULE) 1,755.00p -2.01%
Coats Group (COA) 85.40p -2.01%