FTSE 250 movers: Resources rise with gold, crude as Brexit jitters dampen housebuilders

Rising crude and metals prices helped propel several resources-linked FTSE 250 stocks higher in an overall quiet session, with concurrent Brexit jitters weighing on the housing sector.

At 1519 BST, West Texas Intermediate crude was up 1.83% to $49.51 a barrel, while Brent firmed 1.55% to $50.41 a barrel.

Against this backdrop, Weir Group, Wood Group and Evraz all enjoyed gains.

At the same time, spot gold was ahead 0.28% to $1,246 an ounce, while spot copper improved 0.76% to $212.9 a pound. Other industrial metals prices also firmed.

To this end, Vedanta Resources and Kaz Minerals appeared as beneficiaries.

Looking to the mid-cap downside, housebuilders Crest Nicholson and Redrow fell as concerns mounted that the UK will vote to leave the European Union on 23 June on the back of several new polls.

The latest Observer/Opinium poll of voting intentions, published on Sunday, revealed that 43% of Britons now backed the UK's exit from the EU, with support for remaining inside at 40%.

In parallel, a YouGov poll on behalf of ITV showed 45% of Britons would choose to leave the EU, versus 41% backing a remain outcome.

A third poll from TNS put support for 'Leave' at 43% against 41% for 'Remain'

Market Movers

FTSE 250 (MCX) 17,085.14 0.10%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Weir Group (WEIR) 1,256.00p 6.44%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 398.10p 6.16%
Kaz Minerals (KAZ) 154.00p 4.19%
Amec Foster Wheeler (AMFW) 441.60p 4.13%
Investec (INVP) 472.80p 3.98%
Serco Group (SRP) 112.00p 3.90%
Polymetal International (POLY) 882.00p 3.89%
Wood Group (John) (WG.) 638.00p 3.66%
Evraz (EVR) 115.50p 3.49%
Drax Group (DRX) 305.20p 3.35%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Indivior (INDV) 211.20p -10.17%
NCC Group (NCC) 277.20p -4.35%
Crest Nicholson Holdings (CRST) 560.50p -4.02%
Shawbrook Group (SHAW) 276.70p -3.92%
Redrow (RDW) 399.30p -3.78%
Homeserve (HSV) 470.80p -3.52%
Aldermore Group (ALD) 207.40p -3.49%
AO World (AO.) 169.40p -3.20%
Sophos Group (SOPH) 186.20p -3.07%
Greencore Group (GNC) 328.60p -3.07%