FTSE 250 movers: Halfords sets the pace

8th Oct 2009 14:05

Car and bike accessories retailer Halfords is pedalling ahead after it saw the rate of like for like (LFL) sales growth pick up in the second quarter of its financial year.Support services and construction company Carillion is higher after it said it continues to perform well and remains on track to deliver materially enhanced earnings in 2009, despite challenging market conditions.Plastics group Victrex said it saw continued improvements in monthly sales throughout the second half due to increased polymer volumes.Turning to the fallers, investors are betting against bookmaker Ladbrokes after it announced plans to raise £275m via a rights issue as it warned that profitability has continued to weaken largely as a result of lower gross win margins. Peer William Hill is lower in sympathy.Recruitment firm Hays posted continuing sharp revenue falls across its geographical and business divisions in the quarter to September 30, with permanent recruitment fees leading the decline, falling by half. This is in contrast to rival recruiter Michael Page which is still going great guns after saying yesterday that it is seeing stabilisation.FTSE 250 - RisersHalfords Group (HFD) 390.30p +7.14%Carillion (CLLN) 297.30p +6.83%Petropavlovsk (POG) 1,093.00p +6.12%Aveva Group (AVV) 908.50p +5.33%Weir Group (WEIR) 712.50p +4.86%Victrex (VCT) 785.00p +4.81%Renishaw (RSW) 580.00p +4.69%Michael Page International (MPI) 360.00p +4.68%Meggitt (MGGT) 253.60p +4.58%Grainger (GRI) 334.50p +4.53%FTSE 250 - FallersLadbrokes (LAD) 170.30p -6.02%William Hill (WMH) 170.00p -3.52%Kier Group (KIE) 1,074.00p -3.42%Mothercare (MTC) 624.00p -2.73%Intermediate Capital Group (ICP) 271.60p -2.20%Ecofin Water & Power Opportunities (ECWO) 143.90p -2.11%Hays (HAS) 104.00p -2.07%Northern Foods (NFDS) 66.00p -1.49%Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 248.00p -1.47%Northgate (NTG) 271.20p -1.38%