FTSE 250 movers: Mitie hit by minimum wage dispute, Enterprise Inns higher on expansion plans

UK stocks rebounded on Wednesday, driven by the Bank of England pushing back rate-hike predictions and a dip in unemployment. Sector-wise, property, energy and engineering stocks extended gains, while travel and utilities dipped.

As of 03:30, the FTSE 250 was trading 193 points, or 1.09% higher at 17,881.

Mitie Group led the fallers after being called to answer allegations that it has failed to pay care worker staff the UK minimum wage in England and Wales by HMRC. Chief executive, Ruby McGregor-Smith, will this week meet senior officials after this week to discuss the claims.

Animal genetics company Genus reversed from Tuesday's gains, which were driven by strong volumes, revenues and adjusted profit before tax results in a trading update.

Enterprise Inns was trading higher after impressing investors with plans to increase direct management of pubs and grow its commercial property business. The group said it planned to free some of its food-led pubs estate from the beer tie and negotiate rent-only terms, opening up the possibility of conversion to REIT status.

Gold miner Centamin was making gains, despite gold output falling in the first quarter due to lower open pit grades. Lower-than-expected costs helped offset weak production's blow to the bottom line.

Premier Oil was among the risers after revealing that its exploration and drilling programme was on track as of 30 April and the firm continued to enjoy significant liquidity. In a trading statement covering the first four months of 2015. The company said it was delivering significant and sustainable savings in its operating costs, including through lower general and administrative expenses.

Private healthcare service provider Al Noor Hospitals Group extended Tuesday's gains, which were driven by first quarter results in line with expectations.

Risers
Centamin (DI) (CEY) 66.50p +6.49%
Countrywide (CWD) 583.00p +5.04%
Acacia Mining (ACA) 301.10p +4.99%
Smith (DS) (SMDS) 367.90p +4.79%
Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 892.50p +4.75%
Ted Baker (TED) 2,850.00p +4.47%
Crest Nicholson Holdings (CRST) 479.60p +4.26%
Bellway (BWY) 2,194.00p +4.03%
AL Noor Hospitals Group (ANH) 851.50p +3.97%
Premier Oil (PMO) 187.30p +3.77%

Fallers
Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group (JLT) 1,015.00p -2.59%
Man Group (EMG) 171.80p -2.55%
Mitie Group (MTO) 292.30p -2.53%
Enterprise Inns (ETI) 134.00p -1.47%
Bank of Georgia Holdings (BGEO) 1,754.00p -1.46%
Pace (PIC) 417.30p -0.97%
Grafton Group Units (GFTU) 813.00p -0.97%
Pets at Home Group (PETS) 267.20p -0.93%
Zoopla Property Group (WI) (ZPLA) 216.60p -0.78%
Indivior (INDV) 223.70p -0.71%