FTSE 250 Movers: Greencore Group soars following expansion plans

Greencore Group’s prices surged as the company’s US expansion boosted revenue and group operating profit. A new Washington-based plant was announced, which is expected to increase production capabilities and allow the firm to fulfil a newly acquired contract.

Petra Diamonds also saw shares rise after their black economic empowerment partners were granted third party finance for loans originally financed by Petra. The repayment of the loans, worth $98m, will be used to strengthen Petra's balance sheet and to begin the payment of dividends for the current financial year.

JD Sports Fashion was among the risers as it sold its Bank Fashion business to a subsidiary of Hilco Capital, which the retailer said should result in a substantial recovery of its inter-company loan. Though the exact amount will be confirmed at a later date, it is thought the sale of Bank is in the long term best interest of the group.

Zoopla Property saw share prices drop after the announcement of a competitor launching early next year. A group of estate agents will launch Agents’ Mutual, an unknown quantity in the online market that has investors hesitant. Looking ahead, Zoopla remained positive about their full year results, but acknowledged that Agents’ Mutual’s January launch could affect agency membership in the short term.

Afren also dipped after its price target was trimmed by Westhouse Securities, which stuck with a 'neutral' rating on the stock. This follows unfavourable comments from analysts at Barclays and Deutsche Bank last week. Other mining companies that fell included Premier Oil and EnQuest, as Brent fell for a second straight day ahead of the pivotal OPEC meeting this week.

Risers

Paragon Group Of Companies (PAG) 409.00p +8.23%
Greencore Group (GNC) 281.20p +8.07%
Balfour Beatty (BBY) 173.90p +6.62%
Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 367.00p +5.16%
Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) 204.60p +5.14%
IG Group Holdings (IGG) 675.00p +4.25%
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 468.40p +4.25%
Evraz (EVR) 160.20p +4.16%
Ted Baker (TED) 2,168.00p +3.98%
Bodycote (BOY) 627.50p +3.63%

Fallers

Centamin (DI) (CEY) 49.62p -5.84%
EnQuest (ENQ) 65.95p -5.18%
Zoopla Property Group (WI) (ZPLA) 183.10p -3.63%
Amec Foster Wheeler (AMFW) 1,041.00p -3.25%
Card Factory (CARD) 241.60p -3.24%
Lonmin (LMI) 181.60p -2.73%
Riverstone Energy Limited (RSE) 877.00p -2.18%
Afren (AFR) 67.80p -2.16%
Premier Oil (PMO) 232.90p -2.14%
Hochschild Mining (HOC) 98.50p -2.09%