FTSE 250 movers: Pubcos up on recommendations

The FTSE 250 was trending up in afternoon trading on Friday, as investors ended the week seemingly pleased with the raft of events and data it presented.

Restaurant and pub operator Mitchells & Butlers was on the up after having its 'buy' rating reiterated by analysts at Deutsche Bank. The report set a price target of 420p on the stock, indicating a potential 55.8% upsaide from Friday's opening price of 269.5p. The stock had been declining in recent weeks, dropping 10.2 points in the last 30 days and 42.3 points in the last 90.

Another pubco, Enterprise Inns, was also rising after a report from Deutsche. The bank reiterated its 'buy' rating on the company, and set a target price of 150p on its stock, indicating a possible upside of 88.8% on Friday's opening price.

Shipping services company Clarkson was still racing among the top risers after Thursday's announcement that former shareholders of RS Platou sold more than two million shares at 1,840p each.

Real estate investment trust Hansteen Holdings was under pressure in afternoon trading, after it emerged its joint chief executives were planning to sell a combined 1.9% stake in the firm. Morgan Jones and Ian Watson said they would offer up to 14 million shares, though Hansteen didn't say how many shares the pair currently had, or would hold after the disposal.

Africa-focused gold miner Centamin was also in the red, suggesting it had hit its peak after steadily rising more than 50% in the last month. Analysts were picking a 48% drop in earnings for the firm to 4.57p per share for the year to 31 December 2015, with a 24% rise in earnings in the current year.