London’s second-tier index was modestly higher at the end of the week, buoyed by figures that appeared to show a stabilisation in Covid-19 infection rates across the UK and a decline in the virus’s reproduction numbers.
Against that backdrop, defence and aerospace engineer Babcock announced the sale of its Frazer-Nash Consultancy to US peer KBR for £293m, sending its shares heading back towards their 52-week highs.
Another defence contractor, Ultra Electronics, was also near the top of the leaderboard.
Going the other way, the main drag on the index were shares in Avon Protection after the maker of personal protection gear for military and security personnel lowered its forecasts for full-year sales in 2021 and 2022.
Nevertheless, some analysts, such as those at Jefferies said the firm’s long-term business case was undiminished, noting that that contract delays and supply disruptions were not of Avon’s own making.
Market Movers
FTSE 250 (MCX) 23,788.45 0.18%
FTSE 250 – Risers
Babcock International Group (BAB) 326.20p 6.39%
Indivior (INDV) 173.50p 5.26%
Sirius Real Estate Ltd. (SRE) 122.60p 3.71%
CMC Markets (CMCX) 420.50p 3.57%
Savills (SVS) 1,334.00p 2.92%
Restaurant Group (RTN) 124.00p 2.84%
Auction Technology Group (ATG) 1,410.00p 2.78%
Mediclinic International (MDC) 284.20p 2.75%
Ultra Electronics Holdings (ULE) 3,170.00p 2.46%
Mitie Group (MTO) 70.20p 2.33%
FTSE 250 – Fallers
Avon Protection (AVON) 2,172.00p -27.73%
Tyman (TYMN) 425.50p -4.94%
Just Group (JUST) 93.90p -4.33%
Harbour Energy (HBR) 357.60p -3.77%
Ferrexpo (FXPO) 404.80p -3.07%
Chrysalis Investments Limited NPV (CHRY) 263.00p -2.59%
Energean (ENOG) 650.50p -2.47%
Discoverie Group (DSCV) 1,038.00p -2.26%
Synthomer (SYNT) 554.00p -2.22%
Tullow Oil (TLW) 46.82p -2.18%
