FTSE 250 movers: Catlin boosted by takeover discussions while real-estate sector slides

Catlin Group was rising substantially Wednesday after XL Group confirmed takeover discussions with the company. XL Group chief executive officer Mike McGavick said: “We both believe that we will be far better positioned and stronger together. We see this transaction as deeply accelerating the strategies of both companies.”

Tate & Lyle also gained after Credit Suisse upgraded the food ingredients group from 'underperform' to 'neutral'. The broker said: “With the shares now trading on 11 times our new year earnings [forecasts] and a yield of 5.3% we are raising our rating to 'neutral'.”

Meanwhile, Foxtons Group fell as the stock pulled back after rising in November and December. A London-based trader told Reuters: “Shares had been dragged up with the index and now people are beginning to question whether they should have been.” Fellow estate agency Countrywide also hit the fallers list on Wednesday.

EnQuest continued to decline after its rating was downgraded by RBC Capital to 'underperform' and oil prices continued to fall.

FTSE 250 - Risers
Catlin Group Ltd. (CGL) 654.00p +12.37%
Evraz (EVR) 125.60p +6.26%
ICAP (IAP) 437.70p +4.59%
Hochschild Mining (HOC) 82.50p +3.77%
Tate & Lyle (TATE) 583.00p +3.46%
Lancashire Holdings Limited (LRE) 534.00p +3.39%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 562.00p +3.31%
Amlin (AML) 455.50p +3.10%
Tullett Prebon (TLPR) 268.30p +2.92%
Man Group (EMG) 148.70p +2.76%

FTSE 250 - Fallers
Foxtons Group (FOXT) 154.00p -6.38%
EnQuest (ENQ) 32.64p -5.03%
NMC Health (NMC) 450.30p -4.19%
Countrywide (CWD) 420.30p -4.04%
Infinis Energy (INFI) 211.00p -3.61%
AO World (AO.) 262.70p -3.42%
Centamin (DI) (CEY) 50.60p -3.07%
Marston's (MARS) 138.00p -2.89%
Atkins (WS) (ATK) 1,261.00p -2.55%
Keller Group (KLR) 818.00p -2.50%