FTSE 250 movers: Bovis Homes drives housebuilders higher

8th Nov 2013 15:25

Bovis Homes drove housebuilders higher on Friday after it underlined the healthy state of Britain's housing market by revealing that its forward order book was in its "best position for many years". It said government measures such as the Help to Buy scheme had contributed to an already more confident housing market and trading conditions remained encouraging. The British housebuilder said it had reached its target for private reservations for 2013 at the end of September - significantly earlier than in previous years.Dairy Crest shares were regaining some of yesterday's losses which came on the back of its presentation of a mixed set of half-year results, as progress at its four key brands was offset by persistent difficulties at its Spreads division. Adjusted pre-tax profit climbed 18% to £21.9m while revenues during the period fell 2% to £672.2m. Group operating profit dropped 6% to £27.3m following a weaker performance in spreads.Meanwhile, interdealer broker Tullett Prebon dropped after it reported revenues fell 9% to £252m in the four months to the end of October. It said activity levels in financial markets had been subdued due to low volatility, tighter regulations for its customers and uncertainty over the impact of new regulation covering the Over-The-Counter (OTC) securities markets.Dialight retreated one day after saying it continued to expect full year underlying profits to be "broadly in line" with last year's results although it warned that the timing of industrial lighting orders was difficult to predict. Investors appeared to take heed of the caution given that the LED light specialist was forced to warn on profits in September due to the delay in the award of certain contracts.FTSE 250 - RisersIP Group (IPO) 157.00p +3.97%Dairy Crest Group (DCG) 534.50p +2.99%Partnership Assurance Group (PA.) 410.70p +2.42%Redrow (RDW) 272.60p +2.37%Homeserve (HSV) 238.90p +2.27%Balfour Beatty (BBY) 281.50p +2.25%Bovis Homes Group (BVS) 778.00p +2.10%Entertainment One Limited (ETO) 245.40p +1.83%AL Noor Hospitals Group (ANH) 849.50p +1.74%Dignity (DTY) 1,413.00p +1.73%FTSE 250 - FallersDialight (DIA) 956.00p -6.09%Tullett Prebon (TLPR) 303.10p -4.69%Ocado Group (OCDO) 409.00p -4.35%Supergroup (SGP) 1,173.00p -4.32%Polymetal International (POLY) 564.50p -3.83%Countrywide (CWD) 532.00p -3.80%Alent (ALNT) 317.60p -3.76%CSR (CSR) 500.50p -3.75%Brewin Dolphin Holdings (BRW) 265.20p -3.39%ITE Group (ITE) 299.40p -3.29%NR