London’s FTSE 250 was down 0.4% at 23,129.05 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
North Sea oil producer Harbour Energy – formerly Premier Oil – gushed lower after it announced a $200m annual dividend policy, as it prepared to host its first capital markets day since its merger.
Dr Martens was on the back foot, reversing earlier gains despite posting a 46% rise in interim profits, driven by a recovery in physical stores sales as they reopened from Covid curbs.
Bus and rail operator FirstGroup fell after it warned of uncertainty around the pace of recovery amid fresh developments in the pandemic.
Wagamama owner Restaurant Group, budget airline easyJet and Cineworld all fell after the government announced new Covid curbs on Wednesday.
Going the other way, ventilation products supplier Volution was the standout performer after a well-received trading up.
Sports Direct owner Frasers Group advanced after it reported a 75% rise in interim profit, driven by the strong reopening of stores after lockdown, new Flannels stores and continued growth in online sales.
Moonpig rallied after the online greeting card retailer upped its full-year revenues guidance, despite interim sales coming up against tough lockdown comparatives.
Watches of Switzerland was higher after it posted a jump in first-half profit and revenue as it hailed a “robust” performance in the UK and an “outstanding” one in the US amid strong demand.
FTSE 250 – Risers
Volution Group (FAN) 542.00p 5.45%
Frasers Group (FRAS) 736.50p 4.17%
Moonpig Group (MOON) 372.40p 4.02%
Baltic Classifieds Group (BCG) 209.00p 3.47%
Balfour Beatty (BBY) 254.60p 2.99%
Future (FUTR) 3,580.00p 2.52%
Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) 1,486.00p 2.20%
VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Ltd. (VOF) 503.00p 1.93%
Auction Technology Group (ATG) 1,432.00p 1.85%
Petropavlovsk (POG) 21.30p 1.72%
FTSE 250 – Fallers
Harbour Energy (HBR) 371.20p -13.79%
Restaurant Group (RTN) 86.00p -5.39%
Dr. Martens (DOCS) 379.40p -5.39%
FirstGroup (FGP) 96.30p -5.31%
Ferrexpo (FXPO) 292.80p -4.25%
Virgin Money UK (VMUK) 165.45p -4.17%
AO World (AO.) 95.15p -3.99%
Convatec Group (CTEC) 186.90p -3.68%
easyJet (EZJ) 530.20p -3.64%
Cineworld Group (CINE) 49.88p -3.41%
