FTSE 250 movers: Oil stocks continue to slide post OPEC
Oil and gas related stocks continued to slide on Monday after OPEC decided not to lower the rate of oil production on Thursday, causing crude prices to tumble below $70 a barrel, their lowest in over four and a half years.
Afren
1.79p
16:34 14/07/15
Bodycote
581.00p
15:45 15/11/24
EnQuest
12.06p
15:09 15/11/24
FTSE 250
20,508.75
15:45 15/11/24
FTSE 350
4,453.56
15:45 15/11/24
FTSE All-Share
4,411.85
15:45 15/11/24
Hochschild Mining
206.00p
15:44 15/11/24
Industrial Engineering
11,826.25
15:44 15/11/24
Mining
10,633.77
15:45 15/11/24
Oil & Gas Producers
8,043.72
15:45 15/11/24
Vedanta Resources
832.60p
16:35 28/09/18
Afren suffered the biggest hit Monday afternoon, declining 9%, while Enquest, Ophir Energy and Soco International also fell.
Oil and gas exploration company Afren has suffered substantially today on the back of recent reports that its management was corrupt. The firm’s shares are down by 71% so far this year at their lowest level since June 2009.
JPMorgan Cazenove was also dampening sentiment in the sector as it lowered its recommendations for Afren and Ophir to 'underweight' and cut Enquest to 'neutral'.
Meanwhile, Balfour Beatty rose 5.18% amid Monday’s reports that it has been offered £1bn by John Laing Infrastructure Fund for its investment arm. Balfour Beatty responded: “The Board of Balfour Beatty will review the proposal once received from JLIF. A further announcement will be made in due course, as appropriate.”
Croda International also felt a boost as Deutsche Bank upgraded its shares to a 'buy' rating in its research note handed out to investors on Monday. Analysts said the stock's valuation is now "relatively attractive" after a recent de-rating.
FTSE 250 - Risers
Balfour Beatty (BBY) 193.30p +5.46%
Croda International (CRDA) 2,562.00p +4.40%
Morgan Advanced Materials (MGAM) 303.00p +3.84%
SSP Group (SSPG) 274.00p +3.67%
William Hill (WMH) 347.00p +3.58%
Spire Healthcare Group (SPI) 321.40p +2.36%
Brit (BRIT) 252.00p +1.33%
Premier Oil (PMO) 189.40p +1.28%
Fenner (FENR) 241.20p +1.13%
Wood Group (John) (WG.) 598.00p +1.10%
FTSE 250 - Fallers
Afren (AFR) 47.15p -8.89%
EnQuest (ENQ) 46.70p -5.79%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 689.00p -5.55%
Hochschild Mining (HOC) 89.15p -4.96%
Bodycote (BOY) 613.00p -4.52%
Lancashire Holdings Limited (LRE) 519.00p -3.89%
FirstGroup (FGP) 108.60p -3.89%
Bwin.party Digital Entertainment (BPTY) 103.90p -3.62%
Ophir Energy (OPHR) 140.10p -3.58%
Soco International (SIA) 273.40p -3.43%