FTSE 250 movers: Fund manager Jupiter rockets after strong first half

1st Aug 2013 14:24

Shares in Jupiter Fund Management leapt on Thursday on the back of a strong set of half-year numbers which showed a strong investment performance and a nearly doubling of profits year-on-year. The results prompted the company to raise its interim dividend by two fifths.Sector peer Rathbone Brothers however underwhelmed with a 17.2% rise in profits in the first half, as figures from the investment manager came in just shy of consensus forecasts.Communications technology company Spirent Communications was a strong riser as traders focused on a pick-up in order intake in the second quarter, shrugging off a steep fall in revenues and profits in the first half.Kenmare Resources, the Mozambique-focused miner, rose after an update on operations at its Moma Mine in the country. "All major expansion facilities are in ramp-up mode and are adding meaningful production tonnage," the company said.LED lighting specialist Dialight pleased investors with the announcement of a first sale of its mobile phone mast monitoring and lighting system.Countrywide, the property services firm, was in the red as the market gave a cool reaction to its strongest first-half financial performance since 2007. The company gave an upbeat outlook for the UK housing market but subdued conditions kept a lid on growth in the first half, analysts said.FTSE 250 - RisersJupiter Fund Management (JUP) 357.60p +10.17%Spirent Communications (SPT) 144.00p +9.01%Kenmare Resources (KMR) 28.76p +8.94%Dialight (DIA) 1,197.00p +8.72%Enterprise Inns (ETI) 137.70p +6.50%Polymetal International (POLY) 687.50p +6.34%UBM (UBM) 755.50p +6.18%Imagination Technologies Group (IMG) 248.00p +5.49%Henderson Group (HGG) 172.20p +4.94%Man Group (EMG) 83.65p +4.17%FTSE 250 - FallersOcado Group (OCDO) 292.90p -4.75%Salamander Energy (SMDR) 116.80p -2.18%Rank Group (RNK) 157.10p -2.12%Intu Properties (INTU) 329.60p -2.08%Countrywide (CWD) 600.50p -1.72%Dairy Crest Group (DCG) 502.00p -1.57%F&C Asset Management (FCAM) 98.55p -1.45%Rathbone Brothers (RAT) 1,649.00p -1.26%Inmarsat (ISAT) 676.00p -1.10%Dixons Retail (DXNS) 44.98p -1.06%BC