FTSE 250 movers: Numis lifts WS Atkins shares

12th May 2014 14:42

WS Atkins rose strongly after it was upgraded by Numis Securities to a 'buy' rating. Russian precious metals producer Polymetal also climbed after it said that the reserves and resources audit of Svetloye has estimated that the project can produce an average of 70,000 ounces (oz) of gold every year."Svetloye can give Polymetal capital-light, low-risk and low-cost production and cash flows in the medium-term," said Chief Executive Vitaly Nesis.Deutsche Bank helped drive Halfords Group higher after upgrading it to 'hold' from 'sell', and raised its target price from 410p to 430p.Annuities provider Just Retirement also impressed after individually underwritten annuity sales jumped by 34% in the third quarter despite recent pension reforms. The company did, however, say that sales were "at around half of pre-Budget levels".Meanwhile, platinum producer Lonmin fell after it reported a fall in earnings in the first half of the year, reflecting wage strikes in South Africa. Underlying earnings before interest and tax came to $34m, down from $93m in the prior year period as platinum sales dropped 19% to 263,675 ounces. The group mined 3.2m attributable tonnes during the period, down 43% from the prior year period, due to safety stoppages and low productivity levels arising from the tensions around the then wage negotiations. Funeral services group Dignity dipped lower after it said the year has started quietly compared with the strong first quarter in 2013, with a decline in the number of deaths and overall expectations for the year unchanged. FTSE 250 - RisersAtkins (WS) (ATK) 1,345.00p +6.16%Vedanta Resources (VED) 950.00p +4.74%Perform Group (PER) 265.00p +4.62%Polymetal International (POLY) 577.50p +4.52%Aveva Group (AVV) 2,265.00p +3.24%Enterprise Inns (ETI) 144.00p +3.23%TalkTalk Telecom Group (TALK) 295.00p +3.04%Brewin Dolphin Holdings (BRW) 330.00p +2.90%NMC Health (NMC) 466.60p +2.78%Halfords Group (HFD) 449.10p +2.75%FTSE 250 - FallersSupergroup (SGP) 1,062.00p -5.60%Debenhams (DEB) 79.65p -2.39%Dairy Crest Group (DCG) 459.50p -2.00%Lonmin (LMI) 277.20p -1.95%Unite Group (UTG) 422.00p -1.86%Moneysupermarket.com Group (MONY) 183.80p -1.76%Rightmove (RMV) 2,367.00p -1.74%Big Yellow Group (BYG) 514.00p -1.63%Foxtons Group (FOXT) 307.60p -1.38%National Express Group (NEX) 275.40p -1.33%NR