FTSE 250 movers: Spirax Sarco rises on sales increase

7th Nov 2012 14:55

Engineering group Spirax Sarco jumped after saying that organic sales increased six per cent in the four months to the end of October, ahead of the rate of growth reported in the first half. Online gaming software company Playtech was in demand after delivering impressive revenue growth in the third quarter while saying that this trend has continued into the fourth quarter. Industrial conveyor belt maker Fenner was higher after reporting a stellar increase in profit and revenue for the year and lifted its dividend payment by 31%. Kenmare Resources shares fell after Canaccord Genuity downgraded the stock from buy to hold, and cut its target price from 54p to 44p. Natural resources, land and property consultancy RPS dropped despite saying it was on track to hit full-year targets. The firm noted that trading conditions in its Built and Natural Environment division were mixed, causing Panmure Gordon to pare it price target for the shares this morning. Transport company FirstGroup took a hit after it said trading during the first half of the year was in line with company expectations, despite continued economic headwinds. Underlying pre-tax profit declined 42.4% to £48.7m in the six months to September 30th. The group saw a one-off exceptional gain in the previous year on its UK Bus pension scheme. The firm said it has also decided to hold its dividend payment at the same level as last year following the Department for Transport's (DfT) cancellation of the InterCity West Coast competition, in which FirstGroup had been chosen as the winning bidder. FTSE 250 - RisersSpirax-Sarco Engineering (SPX) 2,120.00p +7.02%Playtech Ltd. (PTEC) 428.30p +4.21%Fenner (FENR) 361.40p +3.26%Menzies(John) (MNZS) 618.50p +3.08%Pace (PIC) 189.20p +2.49%Salamander Energy (SMDR) 198.30p +2.32%Moneysupermarket.com Group (MONY) 145.30p +2.32%Renishaw (RSW) 1,822.00p +1.56%Hochschild Mining (HOC) 497.40p +1.51%Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 769.00p +1.45%FTSE 250 - FallersKenmare Resources (KMR) 36.79p -5.71%RPS Group (RPS) 226.40p -4.95%FirstGroup (FGP) 196.10p -4.48%Talvivaara Mining Company (TALV) 122.60p -4.29%Lonmin (LMI) 475.60p -3.59%Ocado Group (OCDO) 60.50p -3.43%COLT Group SA (COLT) 102.00p -3.13%PayPoint (PAY) 823.00p -2.89%IP Group (IPO) 113.70p -2.82%Savills (SVS) 413.90p -2.73%NR