FTSE 250 movers: Dunelm rallies on strong sales; Hays tumbles on cautious outlook

Dunelm was on the front foot after the homeware retailer posted an increase in first-quarter sales on the back of seasonal merchandise and improved product ranges. In the 13 weeks to 3 October, the company reported a 12% year-on-year rise in total sales to £202.3m, while like-for-like sales climbed 5.5% to £183.3m.

UK transport operator Firstgroup got a boost after UBS raised its stance on the stock to ‘neutral’ from ‘sell’ following recent underperformance versus the market. “While the recent underperformance may make Firstgroup look comparatively more attractive versus peers than it did three months ago, we believe that a discount is justified given that FGP's cash generation should remain below that of peers until 2018-19 and also given the risk that the 2017 targets may be missed, although we currently assume those margin targets are met.”

Cineworld advanced following an upbeat note from JPMorgan Cazenove which was providing feedback following a sales briefing in London. The bank said it was impressed by the breadth of opportunities articulated for the ongoing growth of the company’s network.

“These opportunities exist in the UK, as well as in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond. An investment in Cineworld is much more, in our opinion, than a play on the benefits of an attractive 2015 cinema slate, but has the foundations for a long-term growth story underpinned by a structural opportunity that may have been underestimated.”

On the downside, shares in recruitment company Hays tumbled after it said currency movements could weigh on its profits this year. It posted underlying net fee growth of 8% for the first quarter, but on a headline basis, net fee growth was 3% due to the depreciation of the euro and the Aussie dollar versus the pound.

Weir Group and Vesuvius were also under the cosh after Investec downgraded both stocks to ‘sell’ from ‘hold’.

As far as Vesuvius is concerned, the brokerage said management has continued to improve the operational performance in recent years, but multiple end market headwinds will overshadow these efforts for the time being.

On Weir, it said the stock looks vulnerable to profit revisions greater than consensus expectations reflect. “The impact of copper and gold will be felt in terms of lower volumes and pricing, particularly in FY16E, we believe.”

Risers

Kaz Minerals (KAZ) 129.60p +5.71%

Evraz (EVR) 92.85p +3.74%

NMC Health (NMC) 855.50p +3.07%

Telecom Plus (TEP) 1,105.00p +2.50%

Dunelm Group (DNLM) 916.00p +2.35%

Cineworld Group (CINE) 569.50p +2.34%

FirstGroup (FGP) 100.40p +2.24%

Vedanta Resources (VED) 520.00p +2.06%

Indivior (INDV) 221.00p +1.89%

Pennon Group (PNN) 815.00p +1.88%

Fallers

Hays (HAS) 136.80p -7.25%

IP Group (IPO) 221.60p -6.46%

Riverstone Energy Limited (RSE) 868.00p -4.88%

Vectura Group (VEC) 168.30p -4.10%

Weir Group (WEIR) 1,350.00p -3.78%

Clarkson (CKN) 2,149.00p -3.59%

PZ Cussons (PZC) 297.40p -3.44%

Rank Group (RNK) 259.00p -3.14%

Vesuvius (VSVS) 350.70p -2.80%

Serco Group (SRP) 104.40p -2.61%