FTSE 250 movers: Foxtons hit by overcharging allegations, oil stocks higher

Mid caps were in the red on Monday afternoon, as gains made by oil and mining stocks were overshadowed by weakness in the pharmaceutical, engineering and retail sectors.

As of 15:45, the FTSE 250 was trading 0.13% lower at 17,908.

Foxtons led the fallers as The Guardian reported that London law firm Leigh Day is attempting to launch a class action on the estate agents on behalf of private landlords, alleging it overcharged when letting out or managing their properties.

Balfour Beatty surged on speculation it could become the subject of a takeover from China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), which is particularly interested in Balfour's participation in the Crossrail project.

Entertainment One Limited was boosted as analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co lifted their price target from 375p to 382p.

Miners Evraz, Centamin, Acacia Mining and Lonmin were trading higher, despite disappointing data from China, the world's largest metals consumer.

Oil stocks Soco International and Premier Oil were also making gains, buffeted by weaker oil futures.

Risers
Evraz (EVR) 166.60p +3.61%
Entertainment One Limited (ETO) 338.90p +3.32%
Balfour Beatty (BBY) 256.80p +3.13%
FirstGroup (FGP) 117.20p +2.27%
Centamin (DI) (CEY) 69.75p +2.12%
SVG Capital (SVI) 514.50p +1.88%
Halfords Group (HFD) 498.00p +1.84%
Kier Group (KIE) 1,436.00p +1.77%
Booker Group (BOK) 178.10p +1.54%
Playtech (PTEC) 832.00p +1.53%

Fallers
Foxtons Group (FOXT) 237.30p -4.16%
Man Group (EMG) 170.50p -3.23%
Rotork (ROR) 250.70p -2.64%
Home Retail Group (HOME) 149.70p -2.48%
Bank of Georgia Holdings (BGEO) 1,785.00p -2.30%
Greencore Group (GNC) 323.10p -2.18%
CLS Holdings (CLI) 1,954.00p -2.15%
Hellermanntyton Group (HTY) 361.00p -1.96%
Ophir Energy (OPHR) 130.00p -1.96%
Renishaw (RSW) 2,442.00p -1.93%