FTSE 250 movers: Just Group slides, Entertainment One surges

London's FTSE 250 was flat in afternoon trade on Thursday, inching just 0.01% lower to 19,139.81, with specialist retirement services provider Just Group leading the index's fallers.

Meanwhile, Woodford Patient Capital Trust - run by Neil Woodford - was among the most prominent fallers for a third straight session after it emerged on Tuesday that the firm's flagship Equity Income Fund had been suspended after "an increased level of redemptions".

Andy Parsons, head of investments at The Share Centre, said: "Despite being only a few days into the 28 day suspension, attention and focus is already turning to exactly when it will be lifted, but more importantly investor reaction and activity when the fund reopens. At present, there is wide spread speculation that when the suspension comes to an end the Fund will be subject to a continual wave of redemptions, as investors rush for the exit."

At the other end of the pitch, Peppa Pig producer Entertainment One surged as it denied speculation that Mark Gordon was leaving his role as president and chief content officer, stating that "Gordon continues to be a part of the eOne team both now and into the future".

Go-Ahead rallied as it said revenue in all three of its divisions grew in the period from 30 December 2018 to 5 June 2019.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "Public transport operators are rarely in people’s good books as travellers moan about delays and cancellations. Investors in these stocks have also suffered from a host of problems around rail franchises and volatile earnings growth. It is therefore a pleasant surprise to see Go-Ahead issue a very bullish trading update with revenue growth in all three of its business divisions."

Mitchells & Butlers fizzed higher after an upgrade to 'buy' by Berenberg, with analysts stating that the pub company's trading momentum is improving materially and the stock is "too cheap" for a company with significant freehold backing and a balance sheet which has been significantly de-risked.

Online gambling company 888 Holdings was higher after Numis upgraded the stock from 'hold' to 'add', while infrastructure outfit Stobart was lifted by an initiation at 'buy' out of Jefferies.

Market Movers

FTSE 250 (MCX) 19,069.53 -0.01%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Entertainment One Limited (ETO) 417.60p 19.31%
Go-Ahead Group (GOG) 2,056.00p 9.19%
Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 289.50p 3.21%
Playtech (PTEC) 418.30p 3.16%
888 Holdings (888) 154.50p 3.00%
Ted Baker (TED) 1,375.00p 2.84%
Stobart Group Ltd. (STOB) 105.00p 2.74%
Centamin (DI) (CEY) 101.00p 2.73%
Stagecoach Group (SGC) 131.00p 2.58%
Fisher (James) & Sons (FSJ) 2,043.46p 2.17%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Just Group (JUST) 44.48p -9.15%
Kier Group (KIE) 145.20p -5.59%
NewRiver REIT (NRR) 194.40p -4.94%
Funding Circle Holdings (FCH) 239.00p -4.40%
TBC Bank Group (TBCG) 1,492.00p -4.36%
IP Group (IPO) 74.70p -4.35%
Woodford Patient Capital Trust (WPCT) 63.42p -4.05%
Intu Properties (INTU) 85.48p -3.74%
Plus500 Ltd (DI) (PLUS) 606.40p -3.41%
Countryside Properties (CSP) 291.80p -3.25%