FTSE 250 movers: Amigo slides, gold miners sparkle

London's FTSE 250 was 0.53% lower at 19,223.25 in afternoon trading on Wednesday, as Amigo Holdings led the index lower.

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The guarantor loans lender slumped after the company's biggest shareholder, Richmond Group, said it had been "investigating" a potential sale of part of its 61.4% stake via a placement, but has decided not to proceed with a sale right now.

Provident Financial slipped after analysts at Canaccord Genuity downgraded the British sub-prime lender's shares from 'hold' to 'sell', citing downside risks to the company's earnings per share and dividend payouts.

Analysts also highlighted that Provident's surplus capital was reported as £60m at the end of the first quarter, versus its desired minimum of £50m, but the Canadian broker expects surplus capital to diminish to £51m, £31m and then turn negative £8m at the end of the next three trading years.

Oilers Tullow Oil and Premier Oil dropped alongside oilfield services provider Wood Group and Africa-focused Shell licensee Vivo Energy as oil prices dropped amid oversupply worries.

Over-50s specialist Saga also retreated after it announced the retirement of chief executive officer Lance Batchelor after six years at the company.

At the other end of the spectrum, precious metals miners Hochschild and Acacia both made gains as gold prices increased due to investor fears of tensions between the US and China escalating further following some harsh words from Donald Trump.

Lukman Otunuga, research analyst at FXTM, said: "It is becoming increasingly clear that gold remains shielded by speculation over the Fed cutting interest rates this year, global growth fears and persistent US-China trade tensions."

Stobart Group continued to climb after the UK High Court refused an appeal from former boss Andrew Tinkler, who claimed that he had been unlawfully removed from the infrastructure and support services company.

Finally, Lancashire Holdings edged higher as analysts at Berenberg upgraded the stock's target price from 697p to 742p, arguing that the insurer is well placed to benefit from current market trends such as improvements in catastrophe pricing.

Market Movers

FTSE 250 (MCX) 19,223.25 -0.53%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Hochschild Mining (HOC) 177.50p 5.90%
Kier Group (KIE) 176.50p 4.87%
Stobart Group Ltd. (STOB) 111.41p 4.52%
Entertainment One Limited (ETO) 387.47p 3.27%
Games Workshop Group (GAW) 5,106.02p 3.24%
Funding Circle Holdings (FCH) 241.00p 2.77%
EI Group (EIG) 205.20p 2.60%
Acacia Mining (ACA) 169.00p 2.42%
Rathbone Brothers (RAT) 2,160.00p 2.37%
Lancashire Holdings Limited (LRE) 724.00p 2.26%