Oxford Instruments surged after "significant strengthening" in its second-quarter results as it revealed it was in talks to acquire AIM-listed Andor Technology.Shares in TalkTalk leapt after the company upped its dividend for the first half and raised its full-year guidance. The group said it expected revenue for the 12-month period to be at least 3% higher, compared to a previously expected increase of 2%. Also higher was healthcare group
BTG, which drove first-half revenues higher against tough comparators, as recent acquisitions made immediate contributions. The group lifted underlying revenues 17% to £139m, with reported turnover up 7% to £153m.Premier Farnell, which distributes technology products and solutions, posted a 3.3% rise in third-quarter group sales, driven by improved gains across all divisions, prompting decent gains in its share price. Meanwhile, poor trading conditions have persisted at John Menzies' distribution business, leading the company to lower its full-year revenue guidance, and sending the share price plunging. The group warned disappointing returns from ancillary distribution revenues, sticker collections and weaker-than-forecast seasonal sales at its marketing services business had led it to reduce its expectations for the second half.Energy services firm
Hunting was also in the red. It said trading from July to date improved compared to the first half of the year, but it cautioned that a number of its businesses continue to report mixed trading.
FTSE 250 - RisersOxford Instruments (OXIG) 1,387.00p +13.04%TalkTalk Telecom Group (TALK) 272.10p +8.88%BTG (BTG) 449.80p +6.01%Renishaw (RSW) 1,777.00p +4.59%Premier Farnell (PFL) 237.70p +4.48%Bank of Georgia Holdings (BGEO) 2,103.00p +3.75%NMC Health (NMC) 365.60p +3.36%Computacenter (CCC) 593.50p +3.22%Kenmare Resources (KMR) 21.62p +2.42%Workspace Group (WKP) 508.00p +1.60%FTSE 250 - FallersMenzies(John) (MNZS) 762.00p -7.02%Polymetal International (POLY) 543.50p -4.23%Evraz (EVR) 119.60p -3.78%African Barrick Gold (ABG) 190.50p -3.59%Hochschild Mining (HOC) 152.20p -3.49%Hellermanntyton Group (HTY) 293.00p -3.30%Dignity (DTY) 1,393.00p -3.26%Hunting (HTG) 837.00p -2.90%Imagination Technologies Group (IMG) 243.80p -2.48%esure Group (ESUR) 216.10p -2.44%NR
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