FTSE 250 movers: Auto Trader Group surges on broker intitiation, energy stocks lower

Mid-caps edged lower on Friday, with weakness in the oil, mining and telecommunications sectors providing a drag on the market.

As of 15:15 BST, the FTSE 250 was trading 0.4% lower at 17,595. Auto Trader Group led the risers as Exane BNP Paribas initiated coverage with an 'outperform' rating, citing structural growth opportunities.

"Autotrader compares favourably with domestic and international classified peers, particularly, based on conversations with peers and dealers, in terms of competitive positioning," the broker said.

Greene King extended Thursday's gains, which followed favourable sentiment from Citigroup. Citi reiterated its buy recommendation and said: "Greene King's acquisition of Spirit is entirely keeping with its long-term strategy and plays to positive sector themes."

Grainger and Foxtons Group were both on the up, tracking a sector-wide lift in real estate as also seen in the FTSE 100.

Oil and energy stocks including Tullow Oil, Premier Oil, Hunting and Ophir Energy were trading in the red as commodity prices mostly tumbled.

Serco reversed Thursday's gains, which came as Numis upgraded its rating on the stock to 'hold' from 'reduce', following a strong first-half trading update on Wednesday.

Risers
Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 319.90p +4.44%
IMI (IMI) 1,173.00p +2.00%
Clarkson (CKN) 2,800.00p +1.82%
Evraz (EVR) 115.80p +1.67%
Keller Group (KLR) 1,085.00p +1.50%
Workspace Group (WKP) 913.00p +1.39%
Grainger (GRI) 225.60p +1.35%
Greene King (GNK) 870.00p +1.16%
B&M European Value Retail S.A. (DI) (BME) 350.20p +1.01%
Rightmove (RMV) 3,289.00p +0.95%

Fallers
Hunting (HTG) 539.50p -5.68%
Tullow Oil (TLW) 334.20p -4.51%
AO World (AO.) 133.20p -3.76%
Premier Oil (PMO) 144.10p -3.74%
Brown (N.) Group (BWNG) 342.30p -3.36%
Just Retirement Group (JRG) 171.60p -3.32%
Fidelity China Special Situations (FCSS) 147.00p -3.29%
Ophir Energy (OPHR) 110.30p -3.08%
Paragon Group Of Companies (PAG) 410.10p -2.36%
Just Eat (JE.) 393.00p -2.36%