London’s FTSE 250 was down 0.6% at 21,186.99 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Construction and regeneration group Morgan Sindall was the standout gainer after it reported a decline in full-year profit as the Covid-19 crisis had an impact, but upgraded expectations for 2021.
The company was upbeat about the current year, saying it was “set for strong growth”, with a high quality and growing order book and secured workload up 9% to £8.3bn. Results for the year are anticipated to be “materially ahead” of previous expectations and slightly ahead of 2019, it said.
Aston Martin revved higher as the luxury carmaker said it would take the “first steps towards profitability” this year after reporting wider annual losses as sales slumped due to the pandemic.
Serco gained after the outsourcer said it will resume paying dividends following a six-year break, after NHS Test and Trace contracts contributed to a strong set of full-year numbers.
On the downside, animal genetics company Genus slid after the release of its full-year results, along with Drax and Inchcape.
FTSE 250 – Risers
Morgan Sindall Group (MGNS) 1,674.00p 12.50%
Cineworld Group (CINE) 101.15p 6.50%
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 2,104.00p 5.15%
Ferrexpo (FXPO) 354.60p 4.91%
Dixons Carphone (DC.) 125.60p 4.67%
Serco Group (SRP) 134.60p 4.18%
Capita (CPI) 46.99p 3.98%
FDM Group (Holdings) (FDM) 1,004.00p 3.51%
Meggitt (MGGT) 455.50p 2.94%
Airtel Africa (AAF) 78.60p 2.75%
FTSE 250 – Fallers
Genus (GNS) 4,836.00p -7.71%
National Express Group (NEX) 299.80p -4.28%
Plus500 Ltd (DI) (PLUS) 1,358.50p -3.86%
Ascential (ASCL) 360.20p -3.59%
Drax Group (DRX) 381.00p -3.54%
Network International Holdings (NETW) 382.60p -3.24%
Inchcape (INCH) 703.50p -3.17%
Carnival (CCL) 1,594.00p -3.13%
Pets at Home Group (PETS) 384.40p -3.08%
Greggs (GRG) 2,184.00p -3.02%
