FTSE 250 movers: DS Smith lifted higher after update

20th Apr 2011 13:19

Recycled packaging group DS Smith is the top of the bunch today after saying that the year ending 30 April is progressing 'in line' with good improvements in return on sales and "significant" earnings growth, as the group has been able to tackle rising input costs. Home products retailer Home Retail Group is performing well despite announcing the departure of Argos's managing director. The group also unveiled a sharp fall in profits due to lower sales at the catalogue-based chain and predicted further sales declines. Diamond producer Gem Diamonds is wanted after increasing production from its Letseng mine in Lesotho in the first quarter.International energy services group Hunting is lower despite saying that first quarter trading remains in line with company expectations as it continues to expand its operational footprint. FinnCap has moved its rating on the group to a 'hold', from 'buy', following the recent share price performance which has seen the stock rise almost 40% since December.Light commercial vehicle hirer Northgate is higher after securing a new eight-year £100m term loan facility.---bcFTSE 250 - RisersDS Smith (SMDS) 211.20p +6.94%Home Retail Group (HOME) 221.80p +5.97%Imagination Technologies Group (IMG) 474.00p +4.57%Senior (SNR) 156.50p +4.33%Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT) 497.70p +3.88%RPS Group (RPS) 219.30p +3.84%Bunzl (BNZL) 741.50p +3.78%Inchcape (INCH) 367.00p +3.76%Enterprise Inns (ETI) 92.40p +3.53%Dixons Retail (DXNS) 13.70p +3.40%FTSE 250 - FallersJD Sports Fashion (JD.) 878.00p -4.10%Betfair Group (BET) 865.50p -3.13%Daejan Holdings (DJAN) 2,642.00p -2.15%Greggs (GRG) 506.00p -1.56%Ocado Group (OCDO) 233.90p -1.31%Brewin Dolphin Holdings (BRW) 166.30p -1.31%National Express Group (NEX) 257.70p -1.23%Balfour Beatty (BBY) 321.50p -1.14%Cable & Wireless Worldwide (CW.) 49.02p -1.11%IG Group Holdings (IGG) 453.80p -0.87%