London’s FTSE 250 was down 0.9% at 23,619.58 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Landscape products company Marshalls was the top performer after it lifted its expectations for 2021 and 2022 and reported strong growth in the first half amid supportive market conditions. In the six months to 30 June, pre-tax profit jumped to £38.9m from £1.6m in the first half of 2020 and from £37.1m in the same period two years ago. Meanwhile, revenue was up 42% compared to 2020 at £298.1m, and 6% higher versus 2019.
OSB pushed higher after it said pre-tax profits had more than doubled in the six months ended 30 June.
On the downside, telecommunications infrastructure company Helios Towers slumped after it said revenue rose in the first half of the year, but operating profit fell, partly due to increased deal costs.
In the six months to 30 June, revenue was up 4% at $212.4m, driven by continued organic tenancy growth across the group and the addition of 1,264 tenancies through the acquisition of Free Senegal’s passive infrastructure assets, which closed in the second quarter. However, operating profit fell by $2.4mfrom the same period a year ago to $26.9m.
Mecca Bingo owner Rank Group lost ground as it reported a £93m operating loss as Covid restrictions closed its venues. The company said annual net gaming revenue almost halved to £329.6m, from £629.7m. Losses compared with a profits of £21.5m a year ago the owner of Mecca bingo halls said.
FTSE 250 – Risers
Marshalls (MSLH) 794.00p 4.96%
Genuit Group (GEN) 697.00p 3.11%
Indivior (INDV) 191.50p 2.96%
OSB Group (OSB) 503.50p 2.55%
Renishaw (RSW) 5,200.00p 1.86%
Cairn Energy (CNE) 187.90p 1.51%
Essentra (ESNT) 284.00p 1.43%
Coats Group (COA) 70.00p 1.01%
Rathbone Brothers (RAT) 2,005.00p 0.96%
Just Eat Takeaway.Com N.V. (CDI) (JET) 6,702.00p 0.93%
FTSE 250 – Fallers
Harbour Energy (HBR) 320.80p -5.42%
Helios Towers (HTWS) 162.20p -4.70%
Rank Group (RNK) 175.60p -4.15%
Restaurant Group (RTN) 123.60p -4.04%
Rotork (ROR) 326.60p -3.60%
Network International Holdings (NETW) 378.50p -3.52%
Trustpilot Group (TRST) 381.40p -3.49%
BlackRock World Mining Trust (BRWM) 574.00p -3.37%
National Express Group (NEX) 260.80p -3.34%
CMC Markets (CMCX) 408.00p -3.32%
