FTSE 250 movers: Thomas Cook leads risers after jump in profit

28th Nov 2013 15:50

Travel operator Thomas Cook surged after reporting a better-than-expected 49 per cent leap in full-year operating profits as it lifted its near-term guidance for revenue and cost-cutting.Kenmare Resources's wet concentrator plant A (WCP A) at the Moma Mine returned to full production capability following the successful completion of repairs to machinery. WCP A, which sustained damage in a fire, was able to restart production of heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) after one of the two parts known as 'trommels' was repaired. Although the WCP is fitted with two trommels, it can operate at full capacity with just one. Premier Oil climbed after it reported that production levels in Vietnam were returning to planned levels following the completion of repairs to the Chim Sáo gas export pipeline and after gas export recommenced earlier in the week. In the UK the company is expected to return to full production rates as remaining restrictions are removed, it added. Meanwhile, brewer and pub group Marston's declined sharply, despite serving up improved full-year revenue, lifting its dividend payment and noting an encouraging start to its new financial year. Marston's, which owns over 2,000 pubs in the UK and is the world's largest brewer of cask ale, did admit its operating margin of 21.5% was 0.4% below last year and earnings per share were on par with the previous year's at 12.3p. It also recieved a reiteration of its 'neutral' rating from JPMorgan Chase & Co.Housing stocks were also under pressure after the Bank of England announced it will scale back a scheme to boost mortgage lending as evidence begins to point to a housing market boom. The Funding for Lending Scheme will now focus solely on enabling greater lending to small firms that are having difficulties with borrowing as house price inflation looks set to accelerate further. Travis Perkins, Taylor Wimpey, Bovis Homes and Barratt Developments were all registering steep losses in today's session. FTSE 250 - RisersThomas Cook Group (TCG) 174.20p +13.71%Hochschild Mining (HOC) 144.10p +7.62%RPS Group (RPS) 311.20p +6.14%Kazakhmys (KAZ) 235.50p +5.27%Kenmare Resources (KMR) 20.04p +4.76%Rank Group (RNK) 148.80p +4.42%Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 415.60p +3.87%Britvic (BVIC) 665.00p +3.58%Polymetal International (POLY) 544.00p +3.23%BTG (BTG) 561.50p +3.22%FTSE 250 - FallersMarston's (MARS) 144.20p -7.03%Bovis Homes Group (BVS) 765.50p -6.93%Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 107.10p -6.46%IP Group (IPO) 184.70p -6.20%Bellway (BWY) 1,449.00p -5.36%Barratt Developments (BDEV) 330.00p -4.82%Redrow (RDW) 276.70p -4.06%IG Group Holdings (IGG) 583.50p -4.03%Crest Nicholson Holdings (CRST) 348.50p -3.09%Berkeley Group Holdings (The) (BKG) 2,365.00p -2.67%NR