FTSE 250 movers: Playtech lifted by strong results and Ladbrokes deals

20th Feb 2014 15:39

Playtech jumped as it reported a rise in annual earnings as the gaming software development company signed two landmark deals with Ladbrokes to revamp the bookmarker's digital offering until 2017.Petra Diamonds also climbed after it said it is looking at commencing dividend payments in two years' time after a surge in profits in its first half. Adjusted operating profits were up 157% at $65.8m in the six months to December 31st on revenues that rose 19% to $185.5m.As on the top tier, the mining sector was hit by Chinese data that showed activity in the manufacturing sector weakened to a seven-month low. The HSBC/Markit 'flash' China manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) for February fell further into contraction, slipping to 48.3 from 49.5; analysts had expected no change. Vedanta Resources, Polymetal International, Lonmin and Centamin were particularly hard hit. Packaging group Essentra was a big faller despite posting in-line results for 2013. Panmure Gordon noted that both revenues and operating profit were "slightly light" and downgraded the stock from 'buy' to 'hold'.FTSE 250 - RisersPlaytech (PTEC) 784.50p +5.87%Essar Energy (ESSR) 65.20p +4.99%PayPoint (PAY) 1,208.00p +4.59%Home Retail Group (HOME) 189.10p +4.13%Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) 162.90p +4.02%Dunelm Group (DNLM) 936.00p +2.52%Telecity Group (TCY) 683.00p +2.40%Wood Group (John) (WG.) 742.50p +2.34%De La Rue (DLAR) 810.00p +2.14%JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 1,478.00p +1.93%FTSE 250 - FallersVedanta Resources (VED) 852.50p -6.32%Essentra (ESNT) 839.50p -6.10%Polymetal International (POLY) 636.50p -3.56%Ferrexpo (FXPO) 158.60p -3.29%Smith (DS) (SMDS) 340.00p -3.05%Lonmin (LMI) 312.80p -3.01%Centamin (DI) (CEY) 50.20p -2.81%Hays (HAS) 135.70p -2.79%Keller Group (KLR) 1,250.00p -2.42%Cobham (COB) 287.90p -2.41%NR