FTSE 250 movers: Precious metals miners gain, Plus500 jumps

Precious metals miners Hochschild Mining and Petropavlovsk were both wanted at the start of the week, as the US central bank in effect shifted to a policy of unlimited asset purchases, as some analysts had correctly anticipated.

The move weakened the US dollar and sent gold futures flying, with the April contract on COMEX last up 5.4% to $1,568.5/oz. on COMEX.

Stock in Plus500 also bounded higher, helped by an upgrade out of analysts at Berenberg from 'hold' to 'buy', alongside an upwardly revised target of 860.0p versus 790.0p beforehand.

The broker noted the contracts-for-difference specialist's two positive trading updates in as many weeks, strong diversification, cash generation and recent insider purchases by its management.

"Current circumstances are obviously not normal but if Plus500 meets FY 2020E forecasts then it will return c12% (c100p) of its market cap to shareholders this year," they said.

In its most recent update, the firm said that its financial year results would be "substantially ahead of current consensus expectations".

Genus was another top gainer, likely benefiting from expectations for a rebound in demand from China.

On the flip-side, workspace provider IWG fell back after announcing its decision to suspend its dividend and temporarily halt its share buyback programme due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Market Movers

FTSE 250 (MCX) 13,105.21 -3.59%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 194.00p 26.63%
Hochschild Mining (HOC) 108.90p 17.67%
Kingfisher (KGF) 140.70p 11.53%
Centamin (DI) (CEY) 115.85p 8.07%
Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 130.60p 7.76%
Petropavlovsk (POG) 20.20p 7.56%
Games Workshop Group (GAW) 4,258.00p 7.25%
Genus (GNS) 2,880.00p 6.90%
Plus500 Ltd (DI) (PLUS) 878.60p 6.34%
Helios Towers (HTWS) 123.50p 5.65%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Virgin Money UK (VMUK) 54.50p -22.25%
Micro Focus International (MCRO) 329.75p -21.82%
Apax Global Alpha Limited (APAX) 115.00p -20.14%
3i Infrastructure (3IN) 188.80p -18.97%
Hammerson (HMSO) 83.66p -18.78%
Cineworld Group (CINE) 42.26p -18.51%
Hyve Group (HYVE) 18.38p -18.49%
IWG (IWG) 131.35p -17.91%
National Express Group (NEX) 112.10p -16.03%
JPMorgan Indian Investment Trust (JII) 405.00p -15.80%