FTSE 250 movers: JD Sports defies trend

11th Mar 2011 14:14

The FTSE 250 has fallen further into negative territory as sentiment has been shook by the devastating earthquake in Japan.JD Sports is bucking the trend however after announcing that it will not make an offer for its struggling rival JJB Sports. Sports Direct International rises in sympathy.FirstGroup is leading the fallers after reporting that the current year has been a bumpy ride for its school bus business, with trading in the fourth quarter "disappointing".Pub group JD Wetherspoon is edging lower after first half profits fell as a 'pernicious combination of increasing taxes and regulation', higher costs and higher interest charges took their toll.F&C Asset Management (FCAM) and Home Retail Group (HRG) are also in the red after some negative broker comments. Credit Suisse kept its 'underperform' rating on FCAM saying its sees better fundamentals elsewhere in the sector, while HRG saw its target price lowered by UBS on the back of rising costs and weaker sales at its Argos chain: a 'neutral' stance was kept.FTSE 250 - RisersJD Sports Fashion (JD.) 954.50p +8.10%Aveva Group (AVV) 1,681.00p +2.38%Sports Direct International (SPD) 182.90p +1.84%Micro Focus International Plc (MCRO) 315.60p +1.48%Unite Group (UTG) 214.60p +1.47%Heritage Oil (HOIL) 314.50p +1.45%HSBC Infrastructure Company Ltd. (HICL) 116.40p +1.39%Bodycote (BOY) 324.70p +1.37%International Personal Finance (IPF) 323.60p +1.12%PZ Cussons (PZC) 335.00p +1.03%FTSE 250 - FallersFirstGroup (FGP) 340.20p -5.55%Amlin (AML) 384.20p -5.25%Ocado Group (OCDO) 196.00p -4.39%Catlin Group Ltd. (CGL) 351.10p -4.10%Pace (PIC) 163.50p -4.05%Imagination Technologies Group (IMG) 436.10p -3.94%SThree (STHR) 408.90p -3.77%Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 39.32p -3.77%Elementis (ELM) 146.30p -3.75%Avis Europe (AVE) 195.00p -3.47%