FTSE 250 movers: Hays results disappoint

25th Feb 2010 13:24

Hays is down almost 9% after grim figures. Profits crashed to £3.4m in the six months to 31 December from £100.8m in 2008 and plunged 70% to £30.4m, excluding a £27m OFT fine that is currently under appeal.Turnover actually increased by 1% to £1.29bn and fell just 5% on a like for like basis due to the withdrawal of the staff hire concession last April.Net fees tumbled 31% to £264.8m, or 35% like for like (LFL). Fees from the temporary business dropped 21% (26% LFL) to £157.3m and were down 42% (45% LFL) on the permanent side to £107.5m. Overall, fees received a £25m boost from moves in the Aussie dollar and the euro.Car and aerospace engineer GKN is the best FTSE 250 performer after full year trading profit halved, but it added that the outlook for its major markets is mainly positive.Trading profit fell to £152m for the year ended 31 December 2009 from £221m the year before. Sales for the period were down 3% at £4.2bn.Group results reflect the decline in Automotive, Powder Metallurgy and OffHighway sales against a strong performance in Aerospace and the benefits from restructuring, GKN said in a company statement.Homewares retailer Dunelm is also up after it said it is to return £43m or 21.5p per share to shareholders after a bumper first half.The cash payout is in addition to a 50% hike in the ordinary dividend to 3p. FTSE 250 - RisersGKN (GKN) 111.20p +7.34%Rank Group (RNK) 99.35p +5.52%Dunelm Group (DNLM) 390.00p +4.00%Filtrona PLC (FLTR) 191.00p +3.64%Game Group (GMG) 81.65p +2.90%Logica (LOG) 119.70p +2.40%Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (AQP) 364.90p +2.36%Halfords Group (HFD) 451.50p +2.33%Henderson Group (HGG) 124.20p +1.72%PV Crystalox Solar (PVCS) 49.78p +1.59%FTSE 250 - FallersHays (HAS) 103.20p -8.91%Bodycote (BOY) 175.00p -5.56%Morgan Crucible (MGCR) 180.60p -4.60%Brewin Dolphin (BRW) 124.50p -4.38%JKX Oil & Gas (JKX) 245.50p -3.84%Salamander Energy (SMDR) 251.70p -3.64%SThree (STHR) 283.40p -3.51%Domino Printing (DNO) 349.00p -3.32%Northgate (NTG) 192.40p -3.32%Ecofin Water & Power Opportunities (ECWO) 136.50p -3.19%