London’s FTSE 250 was up 1% at 22,772.17 in afternoon trade on Monday.
Travel and leisure shares were the biggest risers, having fallen sharply on Friday amid worries about the new Omicron Covid variant. Cineworld, WH Smith, Carnival, Wizz Air, Wagamama owner Restaurant Group and Upper Crust owner SSP were all higher.
Venture capital tech specialist Molten Ventures also gained as it reported a rise in net asset value (NAV) for the six months to September 30 on the back of a sharp rise in cash investments.
The company, formerly known as Draper Esprit, said NAV rose to 887p from 743p a year ago as gross portfolio value increased to £1.35bn from £984m. Molten invested £165m in the period compared with £32m last year.
On the downside, online electricals retailer AO World was the biggest faller.
FTSE 250 – Risers
Cineworld Group (CINE) 52.30p 7.90%
WH Smith (SMWH) 1,414.00p 7.86%
Carnival (CCL) 1,271.60p 7.51%
Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 3,950.00p 5.93%
Capita (CPI) 46.17p 5.89%
Ferrexpo (FXPO) 287.40p 5.66%
Investec (INVP) 372.90p 5.46%
Restaurant Group (RTN) 81.70p 5.28%
Molten Ventures (GROW) 918.00p 4.91%
SSP Group (SSPG) 226.70p 4.91%
FTSE 250 – Fallers
AO World (AO.) 106.70p -3.00%
FirstGroup (FGP) 100.20p -2.62%
Bodycote (BOY) 827.00p -2.13%
Grainger (GRI) 304.20p -1.93%
XP Power Ltd. (DI) (XPP) 4,895.00p -1.71%
Assura (AGR) 68.45p -1.44%
Pets at Home Group (PETS) 471.80p -1.34%
Micro Focus International (MCRO) 385.00p -1.00%
TP Icap Group (TCAP) 130.00p -0.90%
Hill & Smith Holdings (HILS) 1,664.00p -0.72%
