FTSE 250 movers: Croda's shares jump, along with its profits

28th Apr 2011 15:52

Providing a lift to the FTSE 250 is chemicals group Croda International, which saw pre-tax profit jump 40% in the first quarter.Shares in data capture specialist Kofax have fallen despite the group confirming that its third quarter performance has met expectations. Also under the weather is kitchen supplier Howden Joinery despite revealing a 7.8% increase in revenue at its UK depots. Heading lower is sector peer Elementis after the stock was downgraded to a 'hold', from 'buy', by RBS which said that it sees a limited upside given the share price strength over the last two years.Motoring ahead is bus group Stagecoach after it said overall trading remains good and is confident about its trading prospects. Berendsen, the workwear group formerly known as Davis Service Group, is also higher after it said that its operating margin has shown an encouraging improvement in 2011. Devro, which makes manufactured casings such as sausage skins for the food industry, said 2011 sales are slightly behind last year's, causing shares to fall.---bcFTSE 250 - RisersSpirent Communications (SPT) 145.00p +7.65%Croda International (CRDA) 1,898.00p +7.05%F&C Asset Management (FCAM) 79.95p +5.89%Ferrexpo (FXPO) 501.50p +5.80%Laird (LRD) 140.40p +5.56%Stagecoach Group (SGC) 247.00p +4.44%Grainger (GRI) 114.20p +4.29%Victrex (VCT) 1,464.00p +4.27%AZ Electronic Materials SA (WI) (AZEM) 282.00p +4.17%JD Wetherspoon (JDW) 455.70p +4.14%FTSE 250 - FallersKofax (KFX) 475.20p -4.39%Howden Joinery Group (HWDN) 110.50p -3.66%Devro (DVO) 286.40p -2.52%Michael Page International (MPI) 553.00p -2.47%Bwin.party Digital Entertainment (BPTY) 153.30p -2.36%Elementis (ELM) 167.00p -1.65%Morgan Crucible Co (MGCR) 308.60p -1.53%JPMorgan Indian Inv Trust (JII) 441.50p -1.47%Misys (MSY) 314.10p -1.44%CPP Group (CPP) 125.60p -1.26%