FTSE 250 movers: Grafton gains on results, but Aggreko loses power

London's FTSE 250 was up 0.3% to 18,938.82 in afternoon trade as investors sifted through corporate releases.

Building supplies company Grafton was the standout gainer as it said a strong contribution from its Isero acquisition in the Netherlands helped to boost full year operating profits by 14% to £142m.

Just Eat rallied after it reported a surge in 2016 revenue and earnings as it seeks to capture further share of the online food delivery market.

Ibstock advanced after posting a jump in 2016 revenues due to a stronger second half from increased activity in the housing sector.

Travis Perkins racked up healthy gains after Berenberg bumped up the stock to 'buy' from 'hold' and hiked the price target to 1,800p from 1,540p.

"The group’s structural advantage should enable Travis Perkins to outcompete, outperform and offer returns ahead of peers," it said.

On the downside, power supplier Aggreko tanked as it issued a profit warning, saying its 2017 results would be offset by the “significant impact” of a reduction in pricing on contracts in Argentina.

Outsourcing and energy services company Mitie was under the cosh as Jefferies downgraded the stock to 'underperform' form 'hold' and cut the price target to 175p from 195p, saying accounting changes could create headwinds.

Payment solutions provider Paysafe was under pressure. Although it posted year-on-year revenue growth of 63% to $1bn, analysts pointed to the fact that its adjusted tax charge rose to $28.9m from $10m in 2015 and is set to rise again this year and beyond.

Risers

Grafton Group Units (GFTU) 669.00p 10.21%
Just Eat (JE.) 553.00p 6.76%
Ibstock (IBST) 213.30p 5.02%
Carillion (CLLN) 225.80p 4.30%
esure Group (ESUR) 221.90p 3.21%
Essentra (ESNT) 556.50p 3.06%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 876.00p 2.94%
Travis Perkins (TPK) 1,479.00p 2.64%
Nostrum Oil & Gas (NOG) 514.00p 2.59%
ZPG Plc (ZPG) 400.00p 2.56%

Fallers

Aggreko (AGK) 923.00p -12.76%
Mitie Group (MTO) 200.00p -4.81%
Sports Direct International (SPD) 288.20p -3.74%
Paysafe Group (PAYS) 410.30p -2.91%
Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) 289.90p -2.82%
Cobham (COB) 126.90p -2.08%
Berendsen (BRSN) 803.00p -1.95%
Wetherspoon (J.D.) (JDW) 944.50p -1.82%
Go-Ahead Group (GOG) 1,809.00p -1.79%
Brown (N.) Group (BWNG) 205.00p -1.54%