London’s FTSE 250 was down 0.4% at 23,451.26 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
Online trading platform CMC Markets slid to the bottom of the index after it reiterated full-year guidance but reported a decline in first-half profit amid subdued market volatility. In the half year to 30 September, pre-tax profit fell to £36m from £141.1m in the same period a year ago, with net operating income down 45% to £126.7m. The interim dividend was down 62% to 3.50p a share.
The company – which confirmed earlier this week that it is considering a possible separation of its leveraged and non-leveraged divisions – said that given the exceptional volatility seen in the prior period, all regions saw declines in revenue per active client.
Going the other way, Spire Healthcare rallied after broker Peel Hunt – which rates the stock at ‘add’ – said the company’s prospects remain excellent and it remains keen “on this healthcare play that should be a staple of UK recovery and ‘defensive growth’ for years to come as the pandemic has fundamentally changed the Healthcare landscape”.
Hochschild shone as gold prices rose. CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson said gold prices were “edging back up again as softness in bond yields, and a little weakness in stock markets helps to underpin the yellow metal”.
FTSE 250 – Risers
Indivior (INDV) 242.80p 4.66%
Hammerson (HMSO) 32.46p 4.31%
Spire Healthcare Group (SPI) 248.50p 2.90%
Hochschild Mining (HOC) 175.10p 2.64%
Wood Group (John) (WG.) 210.20p 2.59%
Renishaw (RSW) 5,220.00p 2.25%
Syncona Limited NPV (SYNC) 212.00p 2.17%
Drax Group (DRX) 552.00p 2.13%
Caledonia Investments (CLDN) 3,825.00p 2.00%
Pagegroup (PAGE) 667.50p 1.99%
FTSE 250 – Fallers
CMC Markets (CMCX) 247.00p -9.02%
Bridgepoint Group (Reg S) (BPT) 526.00p -6.90%
Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 4,427.00p -4.73%
Restaurant Group (RTN) 88.40p -4.54%
WH Smith (SMWH) 1,565.50p -3.63%
Trustpilot Group (TRST) 307.80p -2.84%
Molten Ventures (GROW) 953.00p -2.76%
TP Icap Group (TCAP) 139.94p -2.71%
Great Portland Estates (GPOR) 736.00p -2.58%
LondonMetric Property (LMP) 267.60p -2.48%
