FTSE 250 movers: FirstGroup recovers; Ashmore hit by downgrade

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 250 was down 0.8% at 22,971.34 in afternoon trade on Friday.
FirstGroup was the top gainer on the index, having tumbled a day earlier after it warned of uncertainty around the pace of recovery amid fresh developments in the pandemic.

Dr Martens was also clawing back some gains, having fallen on Thursday after it posted higher first-half profits but warned of supply delays in the US.

Moonpig did the opposite, giving back some gains after surging a day earlier as the online greeting card retailer upped full-year revenue guidance despite interim sales coming up against tough lockdown comparatives.

Food packaging business Hilton Food Group lost ground after saying it had agreed to buy smoked salmon producer Dutch Seafood Company as part of an effort to expand its presence in a growing protein category and enter the US. It also announced an equity placing in connection with the acquisition.

Investment manager Ashmore was knocked lower by a downgrade to 'neutral' at Goldman Sachs.

FTSE 250 - Risers

FirstGroup (FGP) 103.70p 8.13%
Dr. Martens (DOCS) 403.20p 3.38%
Ibstock (IBST) 195.50p 2.41%
TBC Bank Group (TBCG) 1,594.00p 2.05%
Lancashire Holdings Limited (LRE) 521.50p 1.86%
National Express Group (NEX) 236.00p 1.81%
C&C Group (CDI) (CCR) 231.60p 1.40%
Just Group (JUST) 82.25p 1.36%
International Public Partnerships Ltd. (INPP) 168.80p 1.20%
Tate & Lyle (TATE) 650.60p 1.18%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Moonpig Group (MOON) 345.00p -7.75%
Harbour Energy (HBR) 357.60p -5.80%
Hilton Food Group (HFG) 1,148.00p -4.01%
Trustpilot Group (TRST) 332.40p -3.48%
Cineworld Group (CINE) 48.18p -3.37%
Liontrust Asset Management (LIO) 2,190.00p -3.31%
Ashmore Group (ASHM) 284.00p -3.27%
Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) 1,434.00p -3.24%
Volution Group (FAN) 523.00p -2.97%
888 Holdings (888) 303.40p -2.88%