FTSE 250 movers: LSE rises after beating forecasts

18th May 2012 14:58

Revenue and profits at bourse operator London Stock Exchange came in ahead of expectations, with the group boasting of strong performances across all four of its business divisions, boosting the stock into the top spot. Bus and train group FirstGroup was wanted ahead of results next Wednesday. Broker Charles Stanley reiterated its "hold" recommendation, as it reckons the price is unlikely to pick up before a rights issue or a change in dividend policy, or both. The earliest that can happen, in Charles Stanley's view, is November 2013. Meanwhile, "wet" sales have gone ex-growth in recent weeks at pubs operator Mitchells & Butlers, but fortunately food sales have picked up the slack, putting the company in the bottom 10. Like-for-like sales were up 2.7% in the 28 weeks to April 7th, with food sales up 3.4% and drink sales up 2.2%, but in the final 11 weeks of that period drink sales were down 0.8% in a year earlier. FTSE 250 - RisersLondon Stock Exchange Group (LSE) 1,008.00p +4.51%Talvivaara Mining Company (TALV) 146.40p +4.27%Cape (CIU) 327.10p +4.07%Gem Diamonds Ltd. (DI) (GEMD) 221.10p +3.12%Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 630.50p +2.94%F&C Asset Management (FCAM) 71.90p +2.93%Go-Ahead Group (GOG) 1,130.00p +2.91%Carpetright (CPR) 624.50p +2.71%Marston's (MARS) 99.55p +2.63%FirstGroup (FGP) 199.50p +2.62%FTSE 250 - FallersDaejan Holdings (DJAN) 2,820.00p -5.72%Bwin.party Digital Entertainment (BPTY) 127.00p -5.72%Ashtead Group (AHT) 218.20p -4.59%Dixons Retail (DXNS) 13.73p -4.39%Home Retail Group (HOME) 76.05p -4.34%Lamprell (LAM) 123.20p -4.12%Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 237.00p -3.66%Cookson Group (CKSN) 654.50p -3.61%Ophir Energy (OPHR) 569.50p -3.47%Imagination Technologies Group (IMG) 539.00p -3.41%NR