FTSE 250 movers: Lancashire Holdings boosted by strong final results, miners higher

Lancashire Holdings was trading higher after pleasing investors with a strong set of final results and a large surprise special dividend of $0.50 a share. "A solid return on equity and an excellent combined ratio have been achieved in difficult trading conditions and allowed us to maintain our excellent dividend record, based on our continued commitment to focusing on our underwriting and capital management," said chief executive Alex Maloney.

Morgan Advanced Materials was among the risers, despite profits halving in 2014 as revenue was damaged by currency headwinds. However, North American performance remained solid.

Zoopla disappointed with an 11% year-on-year decrease in total advertising members in the first quarter, which it claims was due to the new OnTheMarket website of Agents’ Mutual which launched in January.

The oil and gas sector was lower despite a bounce in crude prices, with Afren and Nostrum Oil & Gas both among the fallers. Meanwhile, miners traded higher led by Vedanta Resources.

Risers
Vedanta Resources (VED) 472.00p +9.44%
Keller Group (KLR) 958.50p +5.74%
Allied Minds (ALM) 480.00p +5.38%
IP Group (IPO) 262.90p +5.24%
Hunting (HTG) 501.00p +5.05%
Kaz Minerals (KAZ) 246.60p +4.62%
Smith (DS) (SMDS) 320.20p +3.99%
Lancashire Holdings Limited (LRE) 636.50p +3.92%
Morgan Advanced Materials (MGAM) 313.60p +3.84%
International Personal Finance (IPF) 460.00p +3.65%

Fallers
Afren (AFR) 7.20p -19.55%
AO World (AO.) 305.20p -5.77%
Jimmy Choo (CHOO) 160.00p -3.79%
Nostrum Oil & Gas (NOG) 509.00p -3.05%
Game Digital (GMD) 263.00p -2.27%
CLS Holdings (CLI) 1,558.00p -2.01%
Diploma (DPLM) 780.00p -1.89%
Entertainment One Limited (ETO) 288.50p -1.87%
Ocado Group (OCDO) 390.40p -1.76%
Poundland Group (PLND) 380.70p -1.75%