FTSE 250 movers: Travis Perkins falls apart while Just Group ripens

London's FTSE 250 was down 0.72% to 18,398.42 in afternoon trade on Friday, as the index's tech companies faltered.

Building materials supplier Travis Perkins was the big faller after reporting earlier that its subsidiary retailer Wickes was facing a "very challenging" market due to dropping consumer confidence.

Tech stocks Avast and Sophos Group struggled after US tech giants Amazon and Alphabet both released disappointing third quarter earnings overnight, spooking investors.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "Any suggestion UK stocks might end the week on a more positive note has been swatted aside after the third quarter sales performance of Amazon and Google’s parent company Alphabet disappointed after the market close in the US."

Tullow Oil fell after pulling out of a partnership for the Namibian Cooper Block with Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas, opting to abandon its 25% working interest to Eco, which now owns a 57.5% stake in the block.

Retirement products company Just Group was the standout gainer, up for the second day in a row after the Prudential Regulation Authority said on Thursday that it had delayed a decision on changing capital requirements for equity release mortgages.

Broker Numis said this was good news for Just Group as three year phase-in would have been challenging.

Weir Group racked up healthy gains after US peer Denver Gardner reported a solid third quarter late on Thursday.

Vivo Energy was on the rise after JP Morgan reiterated its 'overweight' stance on the stock, arguing that the company's strong commercial showing offsets a softer retail performance and Vivo is on track to meet its full-year guidance.

Plastic piping manufacturer Polypipe advanced again after announcing a day earlier the acquisition of Manthorpe Building Products, which makes moulded and extruded plastic and metal products for the UK and Irish markets, for £52m. Vivo also got a boost as Numis lifted its rating on the shares from 'add' to 'buy'.

"With its strong and consistent track record, plus the fact that current trading is in line with expectations, we believe that the group is significantly undervalued. We therefore move to a Buy recommendation and believe that this represents an attractive entry point into a high quality, market leading business," it said.

Gambling brand operator 888 Holdings rose after being upgraded to 'hold' from 'sell' by Investec, which also gave a new target price of 173p.

FTSE 250 - Risers

Just Group (JUST) 91.00p 9.11%
Weir Group (WEIR) 1,460.50p 3.66%
Vivo Energy (VVO) 116.18p 3.53%
Playtech (PTEC) 475.10p 2.61%
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels (MLC) 470.75p 2.34%
Polypipe Group (PLP) 351.80p 2.33%
888 Holdings (888) 184.60p 2.27%
Dechra Pharmaceuticals (DPH) 2,206.00p 2.04%
Mediclinic International (MDC) 347.40p 2.03%
BTG (BTG) 531.50p 2.02%