FTSE 250 movers: Hochschild Mining hits three-month high

13th Aug 2013 13:30

Precious metals producer Hochschild Mining continued its impressive rise on Tuesday, surging by over 16 per cent after some upbeat comments from Swiss investment bank UBS. While it initiated coverage of the stock with a 'neutral' rating, UBS said that the company offers 'attractive operating leverage should gold and silver prices rebound'.The share price had tumbled earlier on in the year as commodity prices declined but has rallied by nearly 80 per cent over the last month alone as metals have recovered. The stock is now trading at levels not seen since May.Chemicals and materials firm Synthomer was also a high riser today after impressing with its interim results. Profits slipped 10% year-on-year but the company labelled it a "solid performance in challenging market conditions" as it hiked its dividend by 9.1%.Heading the other way was price comparison website Moneysupermarket.com, extending losses after being hit with a downgrade by JPMorgan from 'overweight' to 'neutral' on Monday. The broker said yesterday that after a recent slowdown in revenues, a return to double-digit growth "may not be straightforward".Recruitment company Michael Page slumped after posting flat revenues in the first half as challenging market conditions across most of its regions persisted.Oil and gas group EnQuest also fell after the firm reported a drop in first-half profits and said that full-year production would be at the lower end of guidance.FTSE 250 - RisersHochschild Mining (HOC) 270.00p +16.23%Synthomer (SYNT) 218.20p +5.92%Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) 134.00p +4.69%Direct Line Insurance Group (DLG) 233.00p +4.25%Polymetal International (POLY) 753.50p +3.65%Kenmare Resources (KMR) 31.15p +3.52%Dialight (DIA) 1,262.00p +2.60%Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust (ASL) 965.00p +2.60%Wetherspoon (J.D.) (JDW) 731.50p +2.45%Crest Nicholson Holdings (CRST) 343.70p +2.44%FTSE 250 - FallersMoneysupermarket.com Group (MONY) 172.10p -3.42%Michael Page International (MPI) 454.20p -3.16%African Barrick Gold (ABG) 146.40p -2.85%EnQuest (ENQ) 123.80p -2.29%International Personal Finance (IPF) 614.00p -1.76%Tullett Prebon (TLPR) 340.00p -1.39%Bumi (BUMI) 221.00p -1.25%Barr (A.G.) (BAG) 570.00p -1.21%888 Holdings (888) 162.30p -1.04%ICAP (IAP) 383.20p -0.78%BCe