FTSE 250 movers: Avast ascends, Aston Martin stalls

London's FTSE 250 was 0.24% higher at 20,270.26 in afternoon trade on Friday, with Avast leading the index higher.

The anti-virus software specialist topped the risers after it reported third quarter adjusted revenue growth of 5% to £220.3m, consistent with the expectations laid out in its half-year results back in August.

Building materials group Grafton recovered from a steep fall during the prior day's trading, when it had cautioned that full-year profit would be below market expectations.

WH Smith climbed for the second consecutive session after having announced the acquisition of US travel retailer Marshall Retail Group for $400.0m and posted a 7% jump in full-year headline pre-tax profit on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Premier Oil was also in the green after analysts at Barclays raised their price target for the stock from 95p to 100p.

Down at the other end of the index, Aston Martin Lagonda topped the fallers after a poor third quarter performance from fell Renault sent car manufacturers across Europe lower.

Finally, Mediclinic edged downward after having racked up solid gains earlier in the week following its assertion that it expected to report interim core earnings growth now that its Swiss business had adjusted to regulatory changes.

Market Movers

FTSE 250 (MCX) 20,270.26 0.24%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Avast (AVST) 392.60p 6.28%
Grafton Group Units (GFTU) 816.50p 4.48%
Drax Group (DRX) 305.60p 3.59%
Senior (SNR) 181.60p 3.18%
WH Smith (SMWH) 2,278.00p 3.08%
SIG (SHI) 118.40p 2.96%
Spirent Communications (SPT) 204.00p 2.82%
Countryside Properties (CSP) 367.40p 2.51%
Premier Oil (PMO) 83.18p 2.49%
Bovis Homes Group (BVS) 1,239.00p 2.31%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 477.60p -4.35%
PureTech Health (PRTC) 241.36p -4.22%
OneSavings Bank (OSB) 378.00p -2.98%
Micro Focus International (MCRO) 1,103.50p -2.88%
CYBG (CYBG) 133.50p -2.66%
Sabre Insurance Group (SBRE) 299.00p -2.45%
Rank Group (RNK) 213.50p -2.29%
CLS Holdings (CLI) 260.50p -2.25%
Mediclinic International (MDC) 377.00p -2.05%
Hochschild Mining (HOC) 187.50p -1.78%