FTSE 250 movers: Contour Global powers down, Ultra Electronics surges

John Laing dropped after a downgrade to ‘hold’ at HSBC, with analysts stating that the stock's 30% rally since mid-December had pushed it into unchartered territory as it had previously tended towards a 10% discount to net asset value but is now trading at a 20% premium.

Business outsourcing firm Capita also fell, after GPs repeated calls for the company to be stripped of a government contract for running primary care support services following difficulties uploading documents on a deadline day for pension information last week.

At the other end of the spectrum, Ultra Electronics was the biggest riser as the defence company hiked its dividend on the back of full-year revenues that beat expectations, although profits fell.

Chief executive officer Simon Pryce said: "Significant additional potential exists in Ultra through focusing the group on where we add value, improving core processes and better leveraging the combined group's strengths and capabilities. We anticipate that 2019 will be a year of good underlying progress and we look forward to an exciting future of growth with confidence."

Aston Martin Lagonda was higher in tandem after the luxury car manufacturer unveiled new models, including the 200mph Vanquish Vision, at the Geneva Motor Show, where president and chief executive Andy Palmer launched a defence of the company's strategy and criticised investor reaction to "really, really strong" results released last week.

Serviced office firm IWG gained as it reported a 7.8% increase in revenues, though it also saw profits fall in 2018 after a "tough" start to the year and said it would close more UK sites in the current year.

Finally, Tullow Oil climbed as Barclays raised it to 'overweight' from 'equal-weight' and hiked its target price to 310p from 225p.

Market Movers

FTSE 250 (MCX) 19,412.86 -0.16%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Ultra Electronics Holdings (ULE) 1,451.00p 13.01%
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 1,118.20p 4.50%
IWG (IWG) 240.40p 3.80%
Indivior (INDV) 112.35p 3.64%
Centamin (DI) (CEY) 93.90p 3.51%
Entertainment One Limited (ETO) 442.60p 3.41%
Kaz Minerals (KAZ) 666.00p 2.84%
Tullow Oil (TLW) 230.80p 2.49%
Funding Circle Holdings (FCH) 359.20p 2.45%
Genus (GNS) 2,298.00p 2.41%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Contour Global (GLO) 174.20p -4.91%
Amigo Holdings (AMGO) 218.00p -3.88%
Games Workshop Group (GAW) 3,000.00p -3.38%
John Laing Group (JLG) 376.40p -2.99%
Capita (CPI) 121.20p -2.69%
Bakkavor Group (BAKK) 139.20p -2.52%
Safestore Holdings (SAFE) 597.00p -2.45%
Rank Group (RNK) 160.00p -2.44%
Spirent Communications (SPT) 152.96p -2.32%
Dunelm Group (DNLM) 855.50p -2.17%