FTSE 250 movers: Debenhams surges on strong H1, Telecom Plus lower on profit warning

Debenhams topped the risers after posting half-year results above its forecast, reversing a decline in sales over its financial first quarter. "Overall we delivered a good first half performance despite a difficult clothing season in Autumn and we are on track to achieve full year expectations," said chief executive Michael Sharp.

JD Sports Fashion continued higher after launching JD Worldwide on Wednesday, an online platform to connect international brands with Chinese consumers, without requiring an established presence in the country.

Telecom Plus shares plummeted after the group warned that profit growth for 2015 and 2016 will be well below market expectations as the Utility Warehouse owner unexpectedly wrote down a large amount of unbilled customer debt.

Petra Diamonds plunged as the diamond mining group said its annual results are expected to fall below market forecasts due to poorer diamond grades it found at its Cullinanin mine in South Africa.

Soco International was in the red after research analysts at Barclays lowered their rating on the stock to “underweight”.

Risers
Debenhams (DEB) 84.40p +6.03%
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 561.50p +4.17%
NMC Health (NMC) 731.50p +3.69%
Infinis Energy (INFI) 191.10p +3.24%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 580.50p +3.11%
Euromoney Institutional Investor (ERM) 1,176.00p +2.26%
AO World (AO.) 187.10p +1.91%
Hunting (HTG) 608.00p +1.67%
Brown (N.) Group (BWNG) 329.40p +1.51%
Redefine International (RDI) 57.95p +1.49%

Fallers
Telecom Plus (TEP) 774.00p -20.86%
Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) 163.60p -11.23%
Amlin (AML) 484.60p -8.57%
Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 1,025.00p -3.76%
Ophir Energy (OPHR) 160.00p -3.56%
Jimmy Choo (CHOO) 167.50p -3.46%
Countrywide (CWD) 526.50p -2.77%
Melrose Industries (MRO) 273.90p -2.63%
Big Yellow Group (BYG) 681.50p -2.57%
Bovis Homes Group (BVS) 969.00p -2.56%