FTSE 250 movers: NMC Health surges on acquisitions, Ophir Energy reverses

Healthcare provider NMC Health topped the risers after completing the acquisition of two sector peers based in the United Arab Emirates for a combined £65m. Following the deal, analysts at Numis raised the target price on the stock for the second time in six weeks.

Greggs surged after first-quarter sales beat expectations thanks to a new range of healthier products. An improved range of freshly-made sandwiches and the strong sales of its breakfast meal deals helped total sales to grow 5%.

Shares in N Brown bounced after final results from the internet and home shopping business were not as bad as been feared. For the years to the end of February, revenues were almost flat at £818m and profit before tax, exceptionals and currency movements were down 13% to £86.2m.

Ophir energy led the fallers, reversing Tuesday's gains which were driven by an agreement to acquire four production sharing contracts in Indonesia from Niko Resources.

Home Retail dipped despite full-year profits inching slightly higher than forecasts as both Argos and Homebase delivered like-for-like sales and profit growth for the second successive year. However Canaccord noted that profits remained 70% below peak profitability of £433m achieved in 2008.

Miners were trading lower, including Lonmin, Polymetal International and Vedanta Resources.

Risers
NMC Health (NMC) 705.00p +6.17%
Greggs (GRG) 1,142.00p +6.13%
Brown (N.) Group (BWNG) 334.60p +3.98%
Ocado Group (OCDO) 354.40p +2.40%
Poundland Group (PLND) 319.90p +1.36%
CLS Holdings (CLI) 1,888.00p +1.23%
Booker Group (BOK) 149.90p +1.22%
Dairy Crest Group (DCG) 460.90p +1.21%
Premier Farnell (PFL) 192.60p +1.10%
Saga (SAGA) 188.80p +1.02%

Fallers
Ophir Energy (OPHR) 160.00p -6.38%
Lonmin (LMI) 140.20p -5.21%
Redrow (RDW) 360.00p -4.56%
AL Noor Hospitals Group (ANH) 882.50p -3.60%
Just Eat (JE.) 463.90p -3.56%
Drax Group (DRX) 395.20p -3.47%
Synthomer (SYNT) 313.80p -3.30%
Premier Oil (PMO) 171.60p -3.11%
Telecom Plus (TEP) 770.00p -3.02%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 626.50p -2.87%