FTSE 250 movers: Speculation drives Spire higher, sinks Carillion

Steel-maker Evraz rolled to the top of the leaderboard on the second-tier index in another risk-on day for metals generally speaking and for Chinese rebar futures in particular.

Stoking those gains were more dovish remarks from various central bank speakers than in recent times on Wednesday and stronger-than-expected data on Chinese loan growth for June. Nevertheless, analysts at Capital Economics were somewhat sceptical on that last count, explaining to clients that the broadest measure of credit in Asia's largest economy in fact slowed to a 14.3% year-on-year clip- a 20-month low.

Spire Healthcare was in the spotlight too as rumours of an impending bid from Mediclinic resurfaced.

Precious metals miner Hochschild Mining got a lift as investors sifted through its latest production report.

Its shares also benefited from the same favourable tailwind as other miners as central bankers toned down their rhetoric, triggering a small bounce in gold and silver futures.

Shares in Carillion hit the skids yet again as some analysts broached the possibility that the company might be forced to go cap in hand to investors.

FTSE 250 - Risers

Evraz (EVR) 233.60p 5.13%
Kaz Minerals (KAZ) 588.00p 4.44%
Daejan Holdings (DJAN) 6,400.00p 4.29%
Hochschild Mining (HOC) 267.70p 4.04%
Spire Healthcare Group (SPI) 343.00p 3.94%
Rotork (ROR) 241.80p 3.73%
Nex Group (NXG) 647.50p 2.86%
Riverstone Energy Limited (RSE) 1,237.00p 2.74%
Domino's Pizza Group (DOM) 274.50p 2.58%
IMI (IMI) 1,246.00p 2.55%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Carillion (CLLN) 57.20p -26.57%
Amec Foster Wheeler (AMFW) 430.00p -5.49%
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 327.50p -4.04%
Wood Group (John) (WG.) 601.00p -3.53%
Dixons Carphone (DC.) 261.40p -3.11%
FirstGroup (FGP) 115.60p -2.86%
Stagecoach Group (SGC) 180.00p -2.76%
Pets at Home Group (PETS) 156.40p -2.74%
Marston's (MARS) 115.80p -2.69%
Go-Ahead Group (GOG) 1,727.00p -2.54%