FTSE 250 movers: 888 rises on strong full-year results

25th Mar 2014 14:58

Online gaming group 888 rose on the back of a strong performance and a highly cash generative year, which prompted the proposal of an extra one-off dividend of 7.0 cents per share on top of a final dividend of 4.0 cents. In a record year for revenue, which rose 7% to $401m, the Gibraltar-headquartered company lifted its dividend 56% for the full-year to a total of 14 cents per share, including the 3.0 cents interim dividend already paid.Cairn Energy climbed higher after a significant number of directors, including its Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer, bought shares in the group. Technical product firm Diploma was recovering from yesterday's big falls after it told investors its final results would be adversely affected by the appreciation of sterling.Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, Egypt-focused gold miner Centamin retreated from Monday's highs, which came after it delivered record operating profits in 2013 as an increase in production and falling costs managed to offset a steep drop in commodity prices. Full-year output totalled 356,943 ounces last year, up 36% on 2012 and well ahead of the guidance of 320,000 ounces.Likewise, oil and gas engineer Kentz Corporation fell one day after it rose strongly having posted higher annual profits and predicting that 2014 trading would outstrip its expectations. Kentz said pre-tax profit in the year to December 31st rose 12.6% to $118m. Revenue lifted 6% to $1.7bn.Conference and exhibition organiser ITE Group slumped after it said that Executive Director, Edward Strachan, will step down from the board at the end of March. In a brief statement, the group said he will continue in his existing management role as Regional Director for ITE's Central Asian offices.Polymetal International fell after being downgraded to 'neutral' by JPMorgan Chase. FTSE 250 - Risers888 Holdings (888) 147.60p +9.33%Cairn Energy (CNE) 159.80p +5.62%Bwin.party Digital Entertainment (BPTY) 128.00p +4.66%Partnership Assurance Group (PA.) 124.10p +4.11%Keller Group (KLR) 1,059.00p +3.82%WH Smith (SMWH) 1,165.00p +3.56%Diploma (DPLM) 725.50p +3.42%Home Retail Group (HOME) 218.00p +3.32%Balfour Beatty (BBY) 286.60p +3.06%Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 175.30p +3.06%FTSE 250 - FallersCentamin (DI) (CEY) 53.25p -7.71%ITE Group (ITE) 201.50p -3.63%Polymetal International (POLY) 590.00p -3.28%Xaar (XAR) 858.00p -2.61%Perform Group (PER) 237.10p -2.02%Ocado Group (OCDO) 426.40p -1.98%Kentz Corporation Ltd. (KENZ) 740.50p -1.86%Fisher (James) & Sons (FSJ) 1,502.00p -1.70%AL Noor Hospitals Group (ANH) 1,051.00p -1.68%Foxtons Group (FOXT) 375.00p -1.57%NR