Source: Sharecast
Oxford Instruments rose 6% after reporting a strong second-half performance, with full-year results for the period to 31 March in line with market expectations. The manufacturing and research company cited continued momentum in order intake and strategic execution as key drivers of growth.
Shares in Mitie jumped 5% after the outsourcer lifted its full-year profit guidance following "continued good momentum" in the fourth quarter, and announced the launch of a £125m share buyback.
Electronic components company DiscoverIE gained 2% after saying it expects to report record underlying profits and earnings for the year ended 31 March, with full-year results set to come in slightly ahead of board expectations.
Gold miners were among the best performers as bullion prices surged once again, with Endeavour and Hochschild rising 7% and 6% respectively. Gold futures on Comex were up 2.9% at $3,333.90 an ounce in afternoon trade, hitting another record high, as rising macro and geopolitical tensions prompted a flight to safety.
Among the fallers was XPS Pensions despite telling shareholders to expect another strong showing for the full-year, in line with previously upgraded expectations.
Retailer WH Smith also underwhelmed despite saying it was "well-positioned for future growth" as a pure-play travel retailer after the segment turned in a strong first-half performance.
FTSE 250 - Risers
Endeavour Mining (EDV) 2,196.00p 7.02%
Oxford Instruments (OXIG) 1,728.00p 6.14%
Hochschild Mining (HOC) 322.00p 6.06%
Mitie Group (MTO) 128.00p 4.92%
ITV (ITV) 76.00p 3.54%
NextEnergy Solar Fund Limited Red (NESF) 71.95p 3.08%
Discoverie Group (DSCV) 554.00p 2.40%
Derwent London (DLN) 1,925.00p 2.01%
British Land Company (BLND) 373.20p 1.86%
Empiric Student Property (ESP) 88.40p 1.73%
FTSE 250 - Fallers
Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) 116.60p -6.65%
XPS Pensions Group (XPS) 375.50p -4.33%
RS Group (RS1) 498.40p -4.25%
4Imprint Group (FOUR) 3,040.00p -3.95%
W.A.G Payment Solutions (WPS) 63.00p -3.67%
JTC (JTC) 849.00p -3.63%
Genus (GNS) 1,656.00p -3.61%
Bridgepoint Group (Reg S) (BPT) 257.20p -3.60%
Trustpilot Group (TRST) 207.80p -3.17%
Genuit Group (GEN) 352.00p -3.03%