FTSE 250 movers: Afren lower on debt-for-equity swap, retailers and health stocks higher

Afren's share price was extending Friday’s losses when the company proposed a debt-for-equity swap with lenders to keep it afloat. The deal will lead to a substantial dilution of shareholders' interests.

More broadly, oil stocks tumbled on declining Brent crude prices, with Premier Oil and Nostrum Oil & Gas both trading lower.

Hunting was hit by a lower price target from Canaccord Genuity, who cut their price from 600p to 475p.

AO World was also in the red as chairman Richard Rose sold most of his stake in the retailer for £10m. Rose, who previously held 1.3% of the company, sold 89% of his shareholding for 180p per share, leaving him with a stake of 0.17%.

Meanwhile, retailers Ted Baker and Card Factory were trading higher, as were health stocks Synergy Health and Spire Healthcare Group.

FTSE 250 - Risers
Ted Baker (TED) 2,739.00p +6.12%
Provident Financial (PFG) 2,758.00p +4.35%
Card Factory (CARD) 282.30p +4.13%
Just Eat (JE.) 359.80p +3.69%
Beazley (BEZ) 295.30p +3.25%
Synergy Health (SYR) 2,268.00p +3.23%
TalkTalk Telecom Group (TALK) 347.50p +3.02%
Investec (INVP) 584.50p +2.81%
SIG (SHI) 193.60p +2.76%
Spire Healthcare Group (SPI) 339.00p +2.73%

FTSE 250 - Fallers
Afren (AFR) 3.66p -21.29%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 446.40p -8.28%
AO World (AO.) 177.40p -7.41%
Premier Oil (PMO) 121.10p -6.85%
Serco Group (SRP) 170.20p -6.64%
Nostrum Oil & Gas (NOG) 551.00p -5.97%
Hunting (HTG) 431.10p -5.02%
Drax Group (DRX) 359.00p -4.85%
Polymetal International (POLY) 500.00p -4.12%
Infinis Energy (INFI) 188.50p -3.73%