FTSE 250 movers: Oxford Biomedica surges; Homeserve falls
London’s FTSE 250 was up 0.6% at 22,350.90 in afternoon trade on Tuesday.
Oxford Biomedica rallied as the gene and cell therapy company doubled annual earnings guidance after pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca ordered more Covid-19 vaccines.
Food producer and supplier Cranswick was higher after lifting its dividend and reporting a 10.4% rise in annual profits.
4Imprint traded up after it said the first four months of 2021 had shown "very encouraging" progress in the recovery from the effects of the pandemic.
Micro Focus shares surged after the software company said its first-half performance was set to be ahead of market views. In an update for the six months to 30 April, the group said it expects to report revenue of around $1.4bn, down 5% from the first half of 2020 at constant currency but ahead of market expectations.
Doorstep lender Provident Financial was on the rise after an upgrade to ‘outperform’ at KBW.
Britvic fizzed higher after the soft drinks maker reinstated its dividend despite posting a decline in first-half profit and revenue, as it hailed an encouraging start to the second half.
On the downside, Homeserve retreated despite saying that full-year revenues had grown year-on-year, mainly due to a solid performance from its North American unit.
FTSE 250 - Risers
Oxford Biomedica (OXB) 1,128.00p 12.57%
Cranswick (CWK) 4,030.00p 8.51%
4Imprint Group (FOUR) 2,490.00p 8.26%
Micro Focus International (MCRO) 507.40p 7.68%
Provident Financial (PFG) 253.00p 4.55%
Carnival (CCL) 1,664.60p 4.52%
WH Smith (SMWH) 1,723.00p 4.46%
Helios Towers (HTWS) 170.00p 3.91%
Games Workshop Group (GAW) 11,130.00p 3.73%
Britvic (BVIC) 953.00p 3.70%
FTSE 250 - Fallers
Homeserve (HSV) 947.00p -8.68%
Lancashire Holdings Limited (LRE) 665.00p -2.28%
JTC (JTC) 652.00p -1.95%
Redde Northgate (REDD) 382.50p -1.92%
Ascential (ASCL) 345.80p -1.71%
Diploma (DPLM) 2,898.00p -1.50%
Rathbone Brothers (RAT) 1,778.00p -1.33%
AJ Bell (AJB) 430.20p -1.33%
IG Group Holdings (IGG) 854.50p -1.21%
Vistry Group (VTY) 1,272.00p -1.17%