The FTSE 250 (MCX) was down 0.14% at 19,821.49 at1420 BST.
Pets at Home shares soared after the company reported an above-forecast jump in annual profits on Wednesday, driven by strong demand across the pet care market.
Revenues at the retail and veterinary business came in at £1.32bn, up 15.3% on the previous year, or 15.8% on a like-for-like basis. Retail sales rose 15.8% on a like-for-like basis, to £1.21bn, while vet group revenues increased 17.1% on the same basis, to £108.4m.
Underlying proforma pre-tax profits surged 65.3% to £144.7m, ahead of expectations for around £141m.
IT services provider Softcat gained as the company said annual operating profit would be slightly ahead of expectations after a strong third quarter.
The company said it delivered double-digit year-on-year growth in revenue, gross profit and operating profit in the three months to April 30 across all technology segments, “reflecting strong and stable customer demand”. The supply chain situation remains challenging but consistent with the first half, Softcat added.
Shares in private hospital group operator Mediclinic were higher after the firm reported a jump in full-year operating profit on Wednesday, with revenues above pre-pandemic levels as client activity increased, as it reinstated its dividend.
In the year to the end of March, operating profit rose 34% to £280m, with revenues up 8% on the year to £3.2bn, and 5% higher versus pre-pandemic levels.
Group adjusted earnings per share came in at 22.6p, up 65% on the year, and Mediclinic proposed the reinstatement of its dividend at 3p a share.
Volution rallied after saying it continued to perform strongly through the second half, with third-quarter revenue growth of 17.6% at constant currency.
FTSE 250 – Risers
Pets at Home Group (PETS) 310.80p 10.68%
Volution Group (FAN) 378.50p 6.47%
SSP Group (SSPG) 257.40p 5.49%
Softcat (SCT) 1,403.00p 4.08%
Mediclinic International (MDC) 366.80p 3.32%
Bridgepoint Group (Reg S) (BPT) 302.80p 2.85%
Johnson Matthey (JMAT) 2,366.00p 2.78%
Energean (ENOG) 1,376.00p 2.76%
Centrica (CNA) 85.16p 2.41%
PureTech Health (PRTC) 175.20p 2.34%
FTSE 250 – Fallers
Cranswick (CWK) 2,932.00p -6.45%
Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 151.00p -4.25%
Trustpilot Group (TRST) 98.65p -4.04%
Network International Holdings (NETW) 209.60p -4.03%
Spectris (SXS) 2,927.00p -3.81%
Chrysalis Investments Limited NPV (CHRY) 119.00p -3.72%
Oxford Instruments (OXIG) 2,110.00p -3.65%
Countryside Partnerships (CSP) 226.60p -3.57%
Darktrace (DARK) 341.90p -3.55%
RHI Magnesita N.V. (DI) (RHIM) 2,394.00p -3.31%
