FTSE 250 movers: Miners track metals prices higher

27th May 2011 14:37

Russia-focused gold miner Petropavlovsk and Finland-focused nickel and zinc miner Talvivaara Mining Company are tracking metals prices higher. They are among the best performing stocks on the FTSE 250 on Friday afternoon.The consumer confidence index for the UK unexpectedly jumped in May, according to GfK, to -21 points, from -31 the month before. According to Nick Moon, managing director at GfK NOP Social Research, "May's figures show the second largest rise ever - only May 1993 was higher, when it improved by 12 points." Sentiment has been given a lift in the retailing sector as Kesa Electricals, Debenhams and Dixons Retail head higher.Sales and profits were slightly ahead of expectations at electronics and maintenance products supplier Electrocomponents, on the back of strong sales growth in all geographic regions and online. Nevertheless, it wasn't enough to bolster the share price, as the stock has fallen into the red.Engineering software firm Aveva Group is being helped higher by a kind word from Singer Capital Markets. The broker upgraded its rating on the stock after a strong end to the year and a confident outlook for the current year.Food ingredients group Tate & Lyle has fallen lower despite managing to offset reduced selling prices for its SPLENDA Sucralose brand to grow sales by 7% in the year ended 31 March, while profits surged. First half sales at soft drinks group Britvic jumped by a quarter after a first-time contribution from its French division, pushing shares higher.---BCFTSE 250 - RisersPetropavlovsk (POG) 782.00p +4.97%London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) 985.00p +3.79%Dixons Retail (DXNS) 18.96p +3.72%easyJet (EZJ) 362.00p +3.43%Kesa Electricals (KESA) 148.80p +3.33%Talvivaara Mining Company (TALV) 479.20p +3.05%AZ Electronic Materials SA (WI) (AZEM) 311.80p +3.04%BTG (BGC) 272.60p +2.83%Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 36.57p +2.75%Berkeley Group Holdings (BKG) 1,129.00p +2.73%FTSE 250 - FallersStobart Group Ltd. (STOB) 136.00p -2.16%Pace (PIC) 114.20p -1.81%Electrocomponents (ECM) 281.60p -1.26%Fidessa Group (FDSA) 1,937.00p -0.97%Lamprell (LAM) 379.40p -0.94%Enterprise Inns (ETI) 78.25p -0.82%Informa (INF) 424.50p -0.52%Tate & Lyle (TATE) 605.50p -0.49%BH Global Ltd. USD Shares (BHGU) 10.75 -0.46%National Express Group (NEX) 255.80p -0.43%