FTSE 250 movers: Mining stocks drag after comments from China

22nd Sep 2014 15:38

The mining sector dragged the FTSE lower on Monday after China's finance minister over the weekend squashed speculation that the government would boost stimulus.China's Finance Minister Lou Jiwei said the government will not make any major policy changes in response to weak economic data and downward pressure on growth in the world's second biggest economy.Evraz and Hochschild were two of the biggest fallers.Laird was lower after it announced that its finance chief is stepping down. Laird said Jonathan Silver would quit as chief financial officer at the annual general meeting on 8 May next year after nearly 29 years with the company and 21 years as a director.Also in the red was milk products group Dairy Crest, which announced the closure of two plants with the potential loss of 260 jobs as it forecast that first-half profits would be flat due to tough markets.On the upside, Nostrum Oil & Gas was a high riser on its first day of trading on the second tier. The company is engaged in the production, development and exploration of oil and gas in the pre-Caspian Basin.Enterprise Inns moved higher after agreeing new terms on its current financing facilities. It has now agreed a four-year revolving facility with a syndicate of banks and also announced a tender offer of its outstanding £600m, 6.50% secured bonds which are due in 2018.FTSE 250 - RisersRathbone Brothers (RAT) 1,924.00p +4.00%Nostrum Oil & Gas (NOG) 759.00p +3.41%Rank Group (RNK) 166.70p +3.03%Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 1,661.00p +2.85%ICAP (IAP) 402.20p +2.52%Ocado Group (OCDO) 300.50p +2.49%RPC Group (RPC) 558.50p +2.29%Worldwide Healthcare Trust (WWH) 1,506.00p +2.03%Enterprise Inns (ETI) 119.50p +1.88%Paragon Group Of Companies (PAG) 337.90p +1.62%FTSE 250 - FallersEvraz (EVR) 126.50p -12.76%Synthomer (SYNT) 225.00p -5.34%Fidessa Group (FDSA) 2,237.00p -4.81%Cairn Energy (CNE) 178.60p -3.93%Infinis Energy (INFI) 227.90p -3.43%Poundland Group (PLND) 326.30p -3.35%Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 417.30p -3.34%Hochschild Mining (HOC) 153.30p -3.28%Pets at Home Group (PETS) 173.80p -3.18%TSB Banking Group (TSB) 282.80p -3.07%