FTSE 250 movers: Sports Direct surges as Tullett Prebon slips

The FTSE mid-cap eked out minor gains in an overall quiet session except for Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley's candid turn before the Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee.

Ashley alleged Sports Direct, whose shares rose more than 5% as the market reacted positively to his questioning, could do a better job than a union when it came to looking after workers.

He said he hoped his workers believed this, too.

Ashley's appearance before the committee followed allegations relating to Sports Direct's treatment of agency workers.

Shares in the embattled sporting-goods retailer have fallen 45% in the last year amid a mix of falling sales, and the negative publicity surrounding its employment practices.

In other news, Britain's competition watchdog is referring Tullett Prebon's planned purchase of ICAP's global hybrid voice broking and information business for a phase-2 probe.

The Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) referral was due to potential concerns over the voice/hybrid broking of oil products unless suitable remedies were offered, said ICAP said, which was confident clearance would be obtained.

Meantime, crude prices were up this afternoon. West Texas Intermediate was fetching $49.97 a barrel and Brent was achieving $50.92 a barrel. Tullow Oil, up almost 4%, benefited.

Gold was down at $1243 an ounce, as was copper at $205.9 a pound. Vedanta Resources shed almost 3%. However, Evraz moved higher as traders liked numbers from Evraz Nakhodka Commercial Sea Port.

Market Movers

FTSE 250 (MCX) 17,212.29 0.18%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Evraz (EVR) 125.00p 8.23%
Sports Direct International (SPD) 382.60p 5.23%
Drax Group (DRX) 320.00p 4.27%
Tullow Oil (TLW) 250.30p 3.52%
OneSavings Bank (OSB) 340.70p 3.34%
Entertainment One Limited (ETO) 187.40p 3.25%
Vesuvius (VSVS) 337.40p 2.96%
Amec Foster Wheeler (AMFW) 455.80p 2.77%
Intermediate Capital Group (ICP) 675.00p 2.58%
Aggreko (AGK) 1,193.00p 2.40%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Jimmy Choo (CHOO) 108.00p -5.26%
Allied Minds (ALM) 343.00p -5.12%
IP Group (IPO) 163.40p -3.14%
Tullett Prebon (TLPR) 315.40p -3.01%
Man Group (EMG) 130.40p -2.98%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 393.50p -2.77%
Greencore Group (GNC) 320.90p -2.76%
Shawbrook Group (SHAW) 269.70p -2.32%
Ocado Group (OCDO) 263.40p -2.19%
Genus (GNS) 1,517.00p -2.13%