London’s FTSE 250 was down 0.5% at 23,414.79 in afternoon trade on Tuesday.
Oxford Instruments was weaker despite the research tools manufacturer saying that both revenues and adjusted operating profits had grown in the six months ended 30 September.
Insurer Beazley was in the red even as it reported a slight rise in third quarter gross written premiums as motor claims severity inflation rose.
On the upside, Watches of Switzerland surged to the top of the index after it upgraded its full-year outlook following a better-than-expected first-half performance.
For FY22 the company now expects revenue of between £1.15bn and £1.20bn, up from previous guidance of between £1.05bn and £1.10bn. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation and adjusted EBITDA margin are seen up 1% to 1.5%, versus previous guidance of flat to up 0.5%.
3i Infrastructure was trading up after it reported a “strong” first half, driven by an “excellent” performance from its portfolio and said it was on track to deliver an increased FY22 dividend of 10.45p per share.
FTSE 250 – Risers
Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) 1,296.00p 14.29%
Sirius Real Estate Ltd. (SRE) 138.20p 4.22%
Reach (RCH) 328.00p 3.31%
Bridgepoint Group (Reg S) (BPT) 546.00p 3.02%
Baltic Classifieds Group (BCG) 199.50p 2.84%
PZ Cussons (PZC) 210.00p 2.69%
4Imprint Group (FOUR) 2,970.00p 2.24%
Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 194.55p 2.23%
3i Infrastructure (3IN) 335.50p 1.98%
Airtel Africa (AAF) 124.90p 1.96%
FTSE 250 – Fallers
Beazley (BEZ) 406.00p -4.04%
Oxford Instruments (OXIG) 2,315.00p -3.54%
Redde Northgate (REDD) 411.50p -3.52%
AO World (AO.) 128.60p -3.38%
Pagegroup (PAGE) 653.00p -3.26%
Direct Line Insurance Group (DLG) 279.70p -2.95%
Wood Group (John) (WG.) 197.85p -2.92%
Ashmore Group (ASHM) 308.60p -2.71%
Just Group (JUST) 90.15p -2.70%
Hays (HAS) 161.60p -2.65%
