FTSE 250 movers: Centamin surges on strong dividend, energy stocks higher

23rd Mar 2015 12:52

Profits at gold miner Centamin more than halved in 2014, as higher production was offset by increased output costs and lower commodity prices, yet the stock surged after the company's maiden dividend smashed analysts' expectations on the back of stronger cash generation.Other miners were also trading higher, including Vedanta Resources, as well as energy stocks Hunting, Cairn Energy and Petrofac.Firstgroup jumped after making a deal with the Department for Transport to operate the First Great Western rail franchise until 1 April, 2019.Balfour Beatty was trading lower as Swiss energy provider Alpiq acquired its Itlaian electricifcation subsidiary, Balfour Beatty Rail. A spokesperson from Alpiq said: "With this acquisition, Alpiq expands its transport technology business geographically and gains strong and comprehensive know-how in the sectors of railway and mass transit electrification as well as first-class technology and resources."Thomas Cook was also trading lower on speculation surrounding the acquisition of Centre Parcs. Guo Guangchang, the boss of conglomerate Fosun which has taken a 5% stake in Thomas Cook and also bought Club Med last month, is believed to be preparing to battle it out with Chinese property mogul Wang Jianli for the UK parks group. RisersCentamin (DI) (CEY) 61.65p +14.70%Vedanta Resources (VED) 556.00p +5.90%Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 978.50p +4.54%Serco Group (SRP) 187.40p +4.11%Entertainment One Limited (ETO) 315.70p +3.34%FirstGroup (FGP) 98.20p +3.31%Virgin Money Holdings (UK) (VM.) 395.00p +3.13%Soco International (SIA) 172.70p +2.98%Cairn Energy (CNE) 162.20p +2.72%Hunting (HTG) 499.60p +2.46%FallersHellermanntyton Group (HTY) 343.10p -4.88%Balfour Beatty (BBY) 225.90p -3.87%Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 141.10p -3.09%Ocado Group (OCDO) 363.70p -2.68%Imagination Technologies Group (IMG) 217.10p -2.43%Brown (N.) Group (BWNG) 351.30p -2.04%Dechra Pharmaceuticals (DPH) 1,012.00p -2.03%Bwin.party Digital Entertainment (BPTY) 85.85p -2.00%Crest Nicholson Holdings (CRST) 432.70p -1.99%Saga (SAGA) 178.00p -1.93%