The FTSE 250 was down 1.90% at 19,299.66 at 1450 BST.
Shares in Ferrexpo, the Ukrainian iron ore miner and pellet exporter, led the fallers after the company said it had been forced to scale back production after a Russian missile strike hampered its ability to export via barge.
The stock was down 12% at one stage as Ferrexpo said it would cut pellet output until the damage caused by the strike was fixed or alternative export routes were secured. In an update, the company added that it had produced 4.4 million tonnes of iron ore pellets so far this year, only 8% lower year on year, despite the impact of the war.
Aston Martin shares were lower again as China imposed mandatory testing and new Covid restrictions in Shanghai. The country is one of the luxury car makers key markets.
National Express gained after FTSE 100-listed Go-Ahead surged as the transport operator said it had received two separate takeover approaches at a price it would be minded to recommend if offers were made. Approaches were made by Australian transport service provider Kelsian Group and by a consortium consisting of Kinetic Holding Company and Globalvia Inversiones.
Shares in Upper Crust owner and travel food outlet retailer SSP Group fell as travel chaos continued to plague UK airports due to staff shortages.
FTSE 250 – Risers
National Express Group (NEX) 221.00p 3.85%
Euromoney Institutional Investor (ERM) 1,102.00p 2.04%
Mitie Group (MTO) 64.10p 1.75%
BH Macro Ltd. GBP Shares (BHMG) 4,460.00p 1.48%
Beazley (BEZ) 477.00p 1.36%
Darktrace (DARK) 354.70p 1.34%
ContourGlobal (GLO) 252.50p 1.20%
Dunelm Group (DNLM) 808.00p 1.13%
GCP Infrastructure Investments Ltd (GCP) 117.40p 1.03%
SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust (SEIT) 121.20p 1.00%
FTSE 250 – Fallers
Ferrexpo (FXPO) 150.80p -8.22%
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 569.20p -6.96%
Ascential (ASCL) 279.60p -6.92%
SSP Group (SSPG) 227.60p -6.72%
Hammerson (HMSO) 23.50p -6.34%
Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 2,144.00p -6.25%
Moonpig Group (MOON) 230.00p -6.12%
Bridgepoint Group (Reg S) (BPT) 264.80p -5.77%
Drax Group (DRX) 635.50p -5.71%
Kainos Group (KNOS) 1,074.00p -5.46%
