FTSE 250 movers: Food retailers take a hit while energy stocks soar

Retail stocks were mixed on the day before Christmas Eve. Home Retail Group, N Brown Group and Supergroup were advancing as last-minute shoppers headed online and hit the high street.

Shares in Workspace Group were rising after the company agreed a cash payment of £30m to terminate the proceeds share agreement on the Glebe portfolio. Oriel Securities kept its 'add' rating on the stock, saying the price "represents good value for shareholders as it is significantly below the maximum payable, and leaves the company able to sell sites suitable for residential redevelopment free of the uncertainty of payments to the former lenders".

Energy stocks were rising on Tuesday as crude futures advanced. Afren was ranking high on the riser list amid news of a highly preliminary approach from SEPLAT. Cairn Energy and Petrofac were also both increasing.

Meanwhile, Domino’s Pizza Group and Greggs were all trading in the red. The food retail sector has been dubbed “easily the worst performing sector in the market this year” by retailing analyst and consultant Nick Bubb. Jimmy Choo was also declining, likely as consumers avoid more expensive brands. As IG market analyst Alastair McCaig noted, this “frugal mentality has seen many take their business to the cheaper supermarket alternatives".

FTSE 250 - Risers
Serco Group (SRP) 162.80p +3.96%
Home Retail Group (HOME) 208.30p +3.22%
Afren (AFR) 50.95p +3.16%
Workspace Group (WKP) 755.00p +3.07%
Cairn Energy (CNE) 180.30p +3.03%
Evraz (EVR) 147.00p +3.01%
Brown (N.) Group (BWNG) 366.60p +2.78%
Supergroup (SGP) 893.50p +2.76%
SIG (SHI) 170.30p +2.71%
Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 723.00p +2.63%

FTSE 250 - Fallers
Polymetal International (POLY) 555.50p -3.05%
Jimmy Choo (CHOO) 170.20p -2.74%
RPC Group (RPC) 506.00p -2.13%
Greggs (GRG) 722.00p -2.10%
Bank of Georgia Holdings (BGEO) 2,024.00p -2.08%
Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 2,019.00p -2.04%
Fisher (James) & Sons (FSJ) 1,150.00p -1.96%
Brewin Dolphin Holdings (BRW) 291.90p -1.88%
CLS Holdings (CLI) 1,500.00p -1.64%
Domino's Pizza Group (DOM) 688.00p -1.57%