FTSE 250 Movers: Home Retail plummets after poor first half

19th Oct 2011 14:38

After reporting that its sales and profits are significantly down, Home Retail Group can now add its share price to the list. The company behind Homebase and Argos saw its overall sales fall 6% to £2,568m in the half year to the end of August while profit before tax fell 70% to £28m and operating profit was down 72% at £27m. Adding insult to injury, Singer Capital Markets has said that downgrades to full-year estimates of between 15-20% are likely. Travel group Thomas Cook was on the up after rumours that it may be about to take on a new chief executive from outside the travel industry.Bets are on Kate Swann, WH Smith's chief, to take up the role while others have speculated that outgoing chief executive at Malmaison and Hotel du Vin chains, Robert Cook, who has previously announced that he is looking for a "new challenge". William Hill was one of the biggest fallers despite a reiteration from Evolution Securities on its buy recommendation and 285p target.FTSE 250 - RisersAshtead Group (AHT) 159.50p +5.77%Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 47.35p +5.13%Renishaw (RSW) 909.50p +4.48%Regus (RGU) 72.65p +3.93%Michael Page International (MPI) 366.20p +3.15%Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 631.50p +2.85%Aegis Group (AGS) 138.00p +2.76%Fidelity China Special Situations (FCSS) 77.00p +2.67%Genesis Emerging Markets Fund Ltd. (GSS) 457.90p +2.67%Drax Group (DRX) 472.30p +2.63%FTSE 250 - FallersHome Retail Group (HOME) 101.90p -14.87%Sports Direct International (SPD) 226.20p -4.84%William Hill (WMH) 219.50p -4.06%Mothercare (MTC) 189.90p -3.95%Balfour Beatty (BBY) 249.20p -3.30%Howden Joinery Group (HWDN) 113.20p -2.41%Debenhams (DEB) 62.80p -2.26%Yule Catto & Co (YULC) 166.10p -2.24%Cape (CIU) 461.80p -2.12%Galliford Try (GFRD) 428.80p -2.10%NR