London’s FTSE 250 was up 0.7% at 19,772.28 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Hammerson was the top performer on the index after saying it had continued to make “good strategic, financial and operational progress” in the first half.
DiscoverIE rose as it said the strong sales growth reported last financial year continued in the first quarter, with underlying earnings ahead of the board’s expectations.
Car dealership Inchcape gained as it posted a rise in first-half profit and revenue and announced the acquisition of Latin American automotive distributor Derco for £1.3bn.
On the downside, CMC Markets tumbled after the online trading platform said operating costs were set to be higher 5% higher than initially expected.
Molten metal flow engineer Vesuvius was in the red despite lifting its full-year outlook and reporting a jump in first-half profit and revenue thanks to higher selling prices and market share gains.
Rathbones was also on the back foot after its interim results.
FTSE 250 – Risers
Hammerson (HMSO) 23.47p 8.51%
Discoverie Group (DSCV) 736.00p 7.60%
Weir Group (WEIR) 1,583.00p 6.42%
Hochschild Mining (HOC) 76.70p 5.94%
Genus (GNS) 2,762.00p 4.70%
TBC Bank Group (TBCG) 1,338.00p 4.21%
Inchcape (INCH) 819.00p 4.20%
Ferrexpo (FXPO) 150.00p 4.02%
888 Holdings (DI) (888) 148.30p 3.92%
Ibstock (IBST) 202.60p 3.84%
FTSE 250 – Fallers
CMC Markets (CMCX) 242.00p -21.43%
Polymetal International (POLY) 193.70p -3.63%
Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 169.90p -3.36%
Royal Mail (RMG) 278.20p -3.34%
NB Private Equity Partners Ltd. (NBPE) 1,575.00p -2.78%
The Global Smaller Companies Trust (GSCT) 141.00p -2.49%
Playtech (PTEC) 483.20p -2.23%
Vesuvius (VSVS) 337.00p -2.21%
SSP Group (SSPG) 254.40p -2.04%
Rathbones Group (RAT) 1,842.00p -1.60%
