FTSE 250 movers: FirstGroup in the red; Trustpilot surges

London’s FTSE 250 was down 0.6% at 20,540.71 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.

FirstGroup was in the red as the transport operator said it has appointed Lena Wilson to take over as its new chair, with effect from 1 February 2025.

Wilson, currently a non-executive director at NatWest Group, will succeed interim chair Peter Lynas, who took over the job following David Martin's retirement on 10 September.

Trustpilot surged as it said first-half profit was ahead of market expectations and announced a further £20m share buyback.

WH Smith was also a high riser as the retailer reiterated its full-year outlook and unveiled a £50m share buyback after a buoyant fourth quarter. It said group sales rose 6% in the three months to 31 August, which includes its peak summer trading period, or by 4% on a like-for-like basis.

Energean was in the black after it posted a jump in first-half profits as it achieved record monthly production in Israel.

FTSE 250 - Risers

Trustpilot Group (TRST) 220.50p 14.25%
WH Smith (SMWH) 1,360.00p 10.84%
Genus (GNS) 1,908.00p 3.14%
SSP Group (SSPG) 163.30p 2.38%
BH Macro Ltd. GBP Shares (BHMG) 364.00p 2.25%
Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) 377.60p 2.00%
Bridgepoint Group (Reg S) (BPT) 330.20p 1.79%
Centamin (DI) (CEY) 149.50p 1.77%
W.A.G Payment Solutions (WPS) 81.20p 1.50%
Energean (ENOG) 898.50p 1.47%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Close Brothers Group (CBG) 518.00p -3.45%
Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 1,154.00p -3.03%
Bloomsbury Publishing (BMY) 656.00p -2.96%
Dunelm Group (DNLM) 1,200.00p -2.83%
FirstGroup (FGP) 154.50p -2.71%
Quilter (QLT) 132.60p -2.57%
Workspace Group (WKP) 638.00p -2.15%
PureTech Health (PRTC) 146.00p -2.01%
Renishaw (RSW) 3,295.00p -1.93%
CMC Markets (CMCX) 304.50p -1.93%