London’s FTSE 250 was up 0.4% at 22,743.04 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Spirent Communications gained after lifting its full-year expectations for adjusted operating profit.
Premier Foods advanced as it said full-year profit was set to be above market expectations after three strong quarters of trading and after the Mr Kipling brand enjoyed its “biggest ever” Christmas.
The company, which also owns brands such as Ambrosia and Oxo, now expects trading profit for this financial year to be at least £145m and adjusted pre-tax profit of at least £125m. This compares with consensus expectations of £140.7m and £119.3m, respectively.
Workspace was in the black after it said customer demand had remained “strong” in the third quarter, with an average of 831 enquiries per month over the period.
FTSE 250 – Risers
Spirent Communications (SPT) 249.60p 8.33%
Premier Foods (PFD) 117.60p 6.91%
Trainline (TRN) 258.80p 6.50%
Trustpilot Group (TRST) 233.60p 5.32%
Fidelity China Special Situations (FCSS) 320.00p 4.58%
TUI AG Reg Shs (DI) (TUI) 254.40p 4.31%
Indivior (INDV) 239.60p 3.36%
Computacenter (CCC) 2,766.00p 3.29%
Workspace Group (WKP) 889.00p 3.19%
IG Group Holdings (IGG) 828.50p 3.18%
FTSE 250 – Fallers
Safestore Holdings (SAFE) 1,251.00p -4.72%
Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 940.60p -4.49%
Countryside Properties (CSP) 318.20p -3.22%
Ultra Electronics Holdings (ULE) 3,000.00p -3.16%
Petershill Partners (PHLL) 228.00p -2.77%
National Express Group (NEX) 259.00p -2.70%
Currys (CURY) 100.90p -2.70%
Baltic Classifieds Group (BCG) 220.00p -2.65%
Big Yellow Group (BYG) 1,484.00p -2.43%
Lancashire Holdings Limited (LRE) 540.00p -2.26%
