(Sharecast News) - FTSE 250 (MCX) 24,577.41 0.51%

FirstGroup rallied as it agreed to sell five West Yorkshire depots and 330 buses to WYCA for £109m, generating an expected post-tax gain of about £30m and cash proceeds of around £55m in FY27.

The phased fleet transfer will coincide with the rollout of bus franchising. Separately, the group also said it has won two West Yorkshire franchise contracts covering Leeds Bramley and Huddersfield. The five-year deals, which start in May 2027, are expected to generate around £40m of annual revenue.

Iconic bootmaker Dr Martens was knocked lower by a downgrade to 'underweight' by Barclays, which cut the price target to 60p from 75p.

Energean and Diversified Energy both fell in line with a weaker oil price.

FTSE 250 - Risers

THG (THG) 42.10p 7.40%

Vistry Group (VTY) 274.40p 5.21%

FirstGroup (FGP) 227.40p 4.89%

PPHE Hotel Group Ltd (PPH) 1,584.00p 3.53%

Johnson Service Group (JSG) 147.80p 3.21%

Genus (GNS) 2,370.00p 2.95%

Berkeley Group Holdings (The) (BKG) 3,582.00p 2.93%

Bloomsbury Publishing (BMY) 650.00p 2.85%

Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 82.48p 2.85%

Trustpilot Group (TRST) 258.00p 2.79%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

ASOS (ASC) 416.50p -3.14%

Foresight Group Holdings Limited NPV (FSG) 457.00p -3.08%

EnQuest (ENQ) 30.95p -2.98%

Dr. Martens (DOCS) 64.10p -2.44%

Energean (ENOG) 725.00p -2.42%

Currys (CURY) 140.40p -2.36%

Diversified Energy Company (DI) (DEC) 1,062.00p -2.21%

Plus500 Ltd (DI) (PLUS) 3,192.00p -2.21%

Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) 217.80p -2.16%

Harbour Energy (HBR) 301.00p -2.08%