AFR.L Share News (AFR)

Digging deeper at the Simrit-2 exploration well in the Kurdistan region of Iraq has paid off for oil exploration firm Afren as the well's total net oil pay has increased to 460 metres. Halfords advanced after saying that Chief Executive David Wild is on his bike leaving the non-executive Chairman Dennis Millard in charge of the shop while the struggling seller of bikes and car parts looks for a replacement. The group also reported that LFL sales gained 0.9% in the five weeks to June 29th. Meanwhile, TalkTalk fell after Merrill Lynch downgraded the stock from buy to neutral, although it raised its target price from 200p to 210p.FTSE 250 - RisersAfren (AFR) 126.70p +6.56%Ocado Group (OCDO) 75.40p +6.20%Brewin Dolphin Holdings (BRW) 158.20p +6.17%Fidessa Group (FDSA) 1,550.00p +5.73%Fenner (FENR) 355.70p +5.39%Halfords Group (HFD) 207.70p +5.22%Bwin.party Digital Entertainment (BPTY) 110.20p +4.65%Elementis (ELM) 196.30p +4.64%Paragon Group Of Companies (PAG) 182.00p +4.60%Dixons Retail (DXNS) 16.27p +4.56%FTSE 250 - FallersTalkTalk Telecom Group (TALK) 183.50p -3.32%Ashtead Group (AHT) 256.80p -2.76%Ultra Electronics Holdings (ULE) 1,560.00p -2.32%easyJet (EZJ) 554.50p -1.51%Gem Diamonds Ltd. (DI) (GEMD) 210.50p -1.22%Lancashire Holdings (LRE) 780.50p -1.20%Sports Direct International (SPD) 291.50p -1.09%Ophir Energy (OPHR) 621.50p -0.80%African Barrick Gold (ABG) 386.80p -0.69%SEGRO (SGRO) 236.20p -0.59%NR