FTSE 250 movers: Laird rockets after approach

16th Jun 2011 15:39

Shares in Laird rocketed after the electronic components manufacturer rejected an all-cash 185p-a-share takeover proposal from US rival Cooper Industries. Laird makes antennae for mobile phones and other telecommunications-related electronic products. Cooper, which employs 2,100 people in the UK, hopes to combine Laird with its Bussman Division.Electrical components distributor Premier Farnell saw shares take a tumble despite saying sales levels have rebounded above those it was achieving ahead of the global downturn as it posted a rise in revenues and profits. Plant hire group Ashtead reported full year pre-tax profit in line with expectations and said it is confident demand for rentals will provide further growth. Nevertheless, investors seemed underwhelmed as shares dropped by over 7%.Dixons Retail and JD Sports Fashion are also under the weather as May retail sales disappointed.Design and engineering consultancy WS Atkins fell lower despite topping revenue and profit expectations in what it described as a transformational year for the company. ---BCFTSE 250 - RisersLaird (LRD) 188.50p +37.29%Supergroup (SGP) 841.00p +2.75%Stobart Group Ltd. (STOB) 140.00p +2.04%Daejan Holdings (DJAN) 2,781.00p +1.83%AG Barr (BAG) 1,347.00p +1.66%Renishaw (RSW) 1,713.00p +1.42%Invensys (ISYS) 310.20p +1.24%Inchcape (INCH) 393.90p +1.13%Kier Group (KIE) 1,319.00p +1.07%BTG (BGC) 271.00p +0.97%FTSE 250 - FallersPremier Farnell (PFL) 251.00p -8.59%Ashtead Group (AHT) 165.00p -7.30%Bwin.party Digital Entertainment (BPTY) 133.00p -6.07%JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 872.00p -5.63%Dixons Retail (DXNS) 16.56p -5.32%Electrocomponents (ECM) 272.50p -4.99%Barratt Developments (BDEV) 107.00p -4.97%Kenmare Resources (KMR) 46.10p -4.85%Ferrexpo (FXPO) 421.60p -4.83%Regus (RGU) 105.10p -4.63%