FTSE 250 Movers: Thomas Cook in pole position

9th Dec 2011 15:11

Thomas Cook occupied the top spot once again, one week before being unceromoniously booted off the footsie 250. Recovering from the blow, shares rose 6%, boosted by news that Thomas Cook India, the country's largest integrated travel financial services company, was selected as the 'Favourite Specialist Tour Operator' at this year's Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Travel Awards. Housebuilder Bellway also rose after announcing that it has continued to deliver its strategy of increasing volumes, raising average selling prices through changes in mix and achieving margin growth during the period from 1 August to 30 November 2011.The firm said visitor levels and reservations have been "remarkably resilient", with the latter having increased by some 14% compared to the same period last year. The average selling price of the reservations has increased by almost 7%. QinetiQ Group was firmer following news that its North American division was awarded a new task order by the Marine Corps Systems Command to provide logistics and inventory support to the Global Combat Support Systems.Ashtead, the plant hire group, was out of favour, pulling back after yesterday's strong gains when it said it expects full-year profits to be "substantially ahead" of expectations after seeing its underlying pre-tax profit soar nearly 200% for the first half ended 31 October. Allied Gold Mining dipped following a fall in the price of gold. FTSE 250 - RisersThomas Cook Group (TCG) 15.75p +5.99%Cable & Wireless Worldwide (CW.) 17.75p +5.78%QinetiQ Group (QQ.) 136.20p +3.89%Anglo Pacific Group (APF) 278.90p +3.87%Balfour Beatty (BBY) 250.70p +3.60%Redrow (RDW) 115.20p +3.60%Bellway (BWY) 753.00p +3.36%UBM (UBM) 487.70p +3.26%Daejan Holdings (DJAN) 2,733.00p +3.13%Laird (LRD) 144.00p +3.08%FTSE 250 - FallersInternational Personal Finance (IPF) 201.20p -7.24%Gem Diamonds Ltd. (DI) (GEMD) 178.60p -6.15%Domino Printing Sciences (DNO) 494.90p -6.00%Ashtead Group (AHT) 203.70p -3.78%AZ Electronic Materials SA (WI) (AZEM) 232.40p -3.77%Allied Gold Mining (ALD) 170.40p -3.67%Supergroup (SGP) 500.50p -3.19%Carpetright (CPR) 430.20p -3.11%Cape (CIU) 335.30p -2.73%JPMorgan Russian Securities (JRS) 497.50p -2.55%NR