The FTSE 250 index was down 0.07% at 19,402.14 at 1455 GMT.
Oxford Instruments tanked after Spectris pulled its £1.7bn bid for the company, citing global market uncertainties caused by the “deplorable” events in Ukraine after the Russian invasion. Last week, Oxford Instruments said it had received a non-binding, indicative offer that included £19.50 a share in cash, plus new shares in Spectris worth £11.50 each.
On the upside, gold miner Petropavlovsk – which has operations in Russia – gained after tumbling in recent days.
Shipping services company Clarkson also gained after it posted “record” results for 2021 following a particularly strong performance in the broking and financial segments.
FTSE 250 – Risers
Petropavlovsk (POG) 2.67p 42.23%
TP Icap Group (TCAP) 123.10p 9.03%
Clarkson (CKN) 3,395.00p 8.99%
Network International Holdings (NETW) 184.25p 7.09%
Weir Group (WEIR) 1,523.50p 6.61%
Reach (RCH) 154.60p 6.18%
Investec (INVP) 389.40p 5.10%
Micro Focus International (MCRO) 355.70p 4.04%
Wood Group (John) (WG.) 164.30p 3.79%
Apax Global Alpha Limited (APAX) 199.40p 3.75%
FTSE 250 – Fallers
Oxford Instruments (OXIG) 1,802.00p -20.96%
Baltic Classifieds Group (BCG) 105.50p -7.86%
Capita (CPI) 20.90p -6.45%
Lancashire Holdings Limited (LRE) 355.60p -5.68%
Liontrust Asset Management (LIO) 1,152.00p -5.57%
Greencore Group (CDI) (GNC) 115.80p -5.47%
PureTech Health (PRTC) 188.60p -5.13%
Hammerson (HMSO) 33.29p -4.89%
JPMorgan European Discovery Trust (JEDT) 384.00p -4.48%
TBC Bank Group (TBCG) 918.00p -4.38%
