FTSE 250 movers: DFS gains but Card Factory slumps

London’s FTSE 250 index was up 0.4% to 17,764.75 in afternoon trade.

DFS Furniture was the top performer on Thursday after a mixed year-end statement in which it confirmed a strong second half and remained bullish in spite of a warning about the increased risk of a post-Brexit market slowdown.

After an excellent finish for the year to end-July, the group expects to deliver a record performance for the full year, with results towards the upper end of market expectations.

Security firm G4S was racking ups it second day of healthy gains after well-received first-half results on Wednesday, when the company reported a jump in earnings and revenue and maintained its dividend.

Elsewhere, Regus was bouncing back from heavy falls earlier in the week. Shares slipped on Tuesday after the workspace provider reported an increase in first-half profit and revenue but warned of “softening revenue growth” in some of its markets. The stock was hit again on Wednesday on the back of a rating downgrade by Numis.

Insurance provider Hastings advanced after it said interim gross written premiums rose 28% to £360.6m, with net revenue up 27% to £282.7m.

On the downside, Card Factory tumbled as it reported that the retail environment had been "challenging" in the first half of the year as sales were lower than normal.

In a trading update for the six months ended 31 July the company reported like-for-like sales growth increased by 0.2%, lower than the 2.8% growth reported last year. Sales from the company’s website cardfactory.co.uk slowed in April, which was expected.

Aldermore was in the red, with market participants pointing to some profit-taking and a downgrade by RBC Capital Markets following well-received first-half results, which showed reported pre-tax profit rose 50% to £59m.

Derwent London slid after real estate investment trust said the outcome of the European Union referendum may lower activity.

In the company’s first half results, Derwent said the latest portfolio valuation timed seven days after Brexit showed capital growth slowing to 1.6% in the first six months. Letting activity also slowed marginally in the second quarter.

Cineworld was weaker as it posted a drop in first-half profit as it took a hit from adverse currency movements.

Risers

DFS Furniture (DFS) 256.90p 14.69%
PayPoint (PAY) 1,026.00p 4.06%
Ascential (ASCL) 249.00p 3.71%
Tullett Prebon (TLPR) 362.30p 3.66%
G4S (GFS) 235.30p 3.57%
International Personal Finance (IPF) 275.50p 3.18%
Restaurant Group (RTN) 380.90p 3.17%
Regus (RGU) 309.30p 3.07%
Hastings Group Holdings (HSTG) 211.50p 2.62%
Barr (A.G.) (BAG) 529.00p 2.32%

Fallers

Card Factory (CARD) 299.70p -6.40%
Aldermore Group (ALD) 144.50p -5.92%
Derwent London (DLN) 2,745.00p -2.63%
Grafton Group Units (GFTU) 523.00p -2.52%
OneSavings Bank (OSB) 224.80p -2.47%
Cineworld Group (CINE) 580.50p -2.19%
Man Group (EMG) 114.00p -1.98%
Circassia Pharmaceuticals (CIR) 98.60p -1.89%
NMC Health (NMC) 1,219.00p -1.77%
Cairn Energy (CNE) 189.70p -1.71%