EVG.L Share News (EVG)

Restaurant Group is leading the FTSE 250 risers as cost control measures and a refusal to slash prices helped the company behind the Frankie & Bennie's and Chiquito chains to post a rise in profits for the first half of the year despite falling sales at its restaurants. Pre-tax profits climbed to £21.7m from £21.1m over the same period the previous year. Revenues climbed to £210.1m from £203.2m, but were down by 3.5% on a like-for-like basis, which excludes the impact of new outlets.Oil and gas firm Melrose Resources gained after upgrading its full year production guidance.SVG Capital is leading the fallers after the investment group reported an 18% drop in net asset value to 171 pence in the six months to 30 June.Investment bank Evolution dropped despite seeing adjusted operating profit jump 102% in the half year ended 30 June to £9.1m as Investment Banking income rose 93% to £33.9m, mainly from more sustainable secondary equities and fixed income commissions. FTSE 250 - RisersRestaurant Group (RTN) 195.00p +12.07%Melrose (MRO) 161.20p +8.19%Savills (SVS) 362.00p +6.56%BlueBay Asset Management (BBAY) 285.10p +6.38%Yell Group (YELL) 42.99p +6.15%Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (AQP) 261.70p +5.69%Melrose Resources (MRS) 340.00p +5.59%SIG (SHI) 140.70p +5.47%Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 53.65p +4.68%Inchcape (INCH) 28.40p +4.37%FTSE 250 - FallersSVG Capital (SVI) 127.40p -7.68%Evolution Group (EVG) 140.90p -5.05%Dana Petroleum (DNX) 1,409.00p -3.63%Heritage Oil (HOIL) 523.00p -2.79%Computacenter (CCC) 262.70p -2.70%National Express Group (NEX) 398.70p -2.42%Tullett Prebon (TLPR) 408.70p -2.30%Bodycote (BOY) 174.50p -2.24%Derwent London (DLN) 1,150.00p -1.46%IMI (IMI) 449.80p -1.12%