FTSE 250 movers: Rail and bus groups in demand

5th May 2011 15:44

Go-Ahead, the rail and bus operator, saw shares rise after reporting that trading in the quarter to 2 April was strong, as passenger numbers rose by 7.2%.Sector peer National Express is also firmer after saying that is on track for an improved financial performance in 2011 after seeing good growth in the first quarter, with UK bus and rail revenues rising by 4% and 8%, respectively. Rival FirstGroup has risen in sympathy.Shares in St James's Place edged lower on Thursday, despite the group seeing new business grow by 18% in the first quarter, as the wealth management group announced the retirement of long-standing chairman and co-founder Mike Wilson. Meanwhile, paper and packaging firm Mondi is in demand after price increases were pushed through across all of its major product lines, contributing to the group's best quarterly performance for some time.Chemicals group AZ Electronics saw shares ascend after revenue grew by 27% to $192.3m.Miners Talvivaara, Aquarius Platinum and Hochschild are also under the weather.---BCFTSE 250 - RisersGo-Ahead Group (GOG) 1,498.00p +7.00%AZ Electronic Materials SA (WI) (AZEM) 288.90p +3.07%FirstGroup (FGP) 333.00p +2.78%Sports Direct International (SPD) 203.90p +2.51%Carpetright (CPR) 692.50p +2.44%Moneysupermarket.com Group (MONY) 97.10p +1.94%Regus (RGU) 111.10p +1.83%Fidessa Group (FDSA) 1,838.00p +1.83%Millennium & Copthorne Hotels (MLC) 535.00p +1.81%Mondi (MNDI) 598.00p +1.79%FTSE 250 - FallersLamprell (LAM) 344.30p -5.15%QinetiQ Group (QQ.) 112.90p -4.56%Talvivaara Mining Company (TALV) 505.50p -3.71%Stobart Group Ltd. (STOB) 130.00p -3.70%Redrow (RDW) 125.90p -3.08%Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (AQP) 349.00p -3.06%JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 877.50p -3.04%International Personal Finance (IPF) 354.00p -2.75%Kofax (KFX) 455.00p -2.74%Hochschild Mining (HOC) 564.50p -2.67%