LONDON (Alliance News) - The following stocks are the leading risers and fallers within the main London indices on Friday.----------
FTSE 100 - LOSERS----------
Evraz, down 6.6%. "Relations between the US and Russia took a hit yesterday after Washington DC revealed plans to impose fresh sanctions on Russia for its alleged role in the poisoning of a former Russian spy in the UK. London-listed companies that have exposure to Russia, such as Polymetal and Evraz could come under pressure," said David Madden, market analyst at CMC Markets. The sanctions - with the US citing Russia's responsibility for an assassination attempt on a former double agent - which will likely come into effect on August 22, and affect a range of security and defence goods.
Polymetal International in the FTSE 250 was down 1.9%.
Rolls-Royce Holdings, down 3.0%. JP Morgan downgraded the jet engine maker to Underweight from Neutral. ----------
FTSE 250 - WINNERS----------
IP Group, up 1.2%. The intellectual property business said portfolio company, Artios Pharma Ltd, has raised GBP65 million. Artios develops cancer treatments aimed at repairing damaged DNA, and has now completed its oversubscribed Series B financing for GBP65 million, of which IP Group invested GBP5.0 million. Andera Partners and Life Science partners led the financing, in which both Novartis Venture Fund and Pfizer Ventures were new investors.----------
FTSE 250 - LOSERS----------
Hill & Smith Holdings, down 5.2%. Berenberg cut the company's rating to Hold from Buy. The infrastructure products maker on Wednesday reported a fall in interim profit and warned that it does not expect to recover the earnings shortfall in the second half. "While the medium-term outlook remains positive, a big H2 is required and the risk to numbers now appears skewed to the downside, in our view," said Berenberg.----------
OTHER MAIN MARKET AND AIM - WINNERS----------
Oilex, up 61%. The dual-listed oil and gas exploration firm has requested trading its shares be halted whilst it continues to try to take control of the outstanding share of a joint venture from its partner. In late July, Oilex said it was seeking to exercise its option to force the withdrawal of its joint venture partner for its Cambay oil field in India. Oilex is looking to assume the interest of Gujarat State Petroleum Corp in Cambay, after it failed to pay its share of the expenses for the project. Oilex, listed in Australia and London, added it was "not aware of any reason" why the trading halt should not be granted to it.
Pathfinder Minerals, up 11%. The natural resources company appointed Simon Farrell as non-executive chairman. Farrell will be co-chairman alongside Henry Bellingham. Farrell is a mining entrepreneur who has held a number of senior management and board positions, principally within the natural resources sector, over the past 30 years. He also serves as non-executive chairman of Global Resource Investment Trust.
GBGI, up 7.1%. The international benefits insurer said it expects full-year gross written premium and net income to be in line with expectations as premiums in the first half of 2018 grew. The company said it saw growth in gross written premiums across its product and regional footprint, recording year-on-year growth, adjusted for the group's exit from the Angolan market in 2017. ----------
OTHER MAIN MARKET AND AIM - LOSERS----------
Prophotonix, down 7.4%. The LED illumination systems manufacturer cut its earnings expectations for 2018 after its first-half results were hurt by higher expenses and order delays. During the period, gross profit margin declined to 39% from 44% a year earlier due to a competitive market environment, revenue mix and higher component costs, ProPhotonix said. Selling, general & administrative expenses also rose. As a result, the company now expects earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation to total USD200,000 for the first half of 2018, down significantly from USD700,000 the year before.----------
