FTSE 250 movers: Housebuilders collapse while eOne soars

The FTSE 250 was just above the waterline during Monday afternoon trading, as oil prices gained and investors sifted through corporate news.

Housing companies were on a downward slide after lacklustre data from Rightmove showed asking prices for homes in England and Wales fell 1.2% on the month in August, the biggest fall since November, following a 0.9% decline in July.

On the year, prices rose 4.1% in August but it marked a slowdown from July’s 4.5% year-on-year growth.

Countryside Properties and Bovis Homes both lost out during the afternoon.

Bovis was also lower, even after it posted growth in profit and revenue for the first half, as it said it was too early to gauge the impact of Brexit.

JP Morgan also downgraded Countryside Properties to ‘neutral’ from ‘overweight’ as part of a sector-wide review.

William Hill was also off, after it rejected an improved cash-and-share offer from Rank Group and 888 Holdings over the weekend.

A combination of the three firms would create a much stronger presence in the UK gaming market.

Rank Group was among the index’s top afternoon risers.

Entertainment One was surging too, amid reports that ITV was planning to raise its bid for the company as it emerged that private equity firm KKR is considering making an offer.

FTSE 250 - Risers

Clarkson (CKN) 2,203.00p 8.26%
Entertainment One Limited (ETO) 252.00p 5.53%
Paysafe Group (PAYS) 417.20p 3.96%
Sophos Group (SOPH) 246.70p 3.35%
Essentra (ESNT) 505.00p 3.06%
NMC Health (NMC) 1,267.00p 2.84%
Rank Group (RNK) 214.00p 2.84%
IP Group (IPO) 182.90p 2.58%
AO World (AO.) 156.50p 2.35%
Ted Baker (TED) 2,511.00p 2.32%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Countryside Properties (CSP) 233.40p -3.87%
William Hill (WMH) 322.20p -3.45%
Sports Direct International (SPD) 299.50p -3.01%
Polypipe Group (PLP) 279.00p -2.65%
Marshalls (MSLH) 286.30p -2.42%
Ascential (ASCL) 244.00p -2.40%
Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 838.00p -2.16%
Brown (N.) Group (BWNG) 186.80p -1.89%
Pagegroup (PAGE) 360.70p -1.82%
Bovis Homes Group (BVS) 821.50p -1.73%