FTSE 250 movers: Taylor Wimpey jumps on targets, cash return plans

13th May 2014 14:04

Today's gains were led by Taylor Wimpey as the housebuilder set out ambitious medium-term targets and confirmed a generous new cash return policy. "The UK housing market continues to perform strongly with sales rates and pricing at the upper end of our expectations," the group said at an analyst and investor day in London. Ocado was also rising strongly, which may be linked to reports it has nationalised its online pet products store, Fetch.co.uk. Meanwhile, platinum producer Lonmin fell one day after it reported a drop in earnings in the first half of the year, reflecting wage strikes in South Africa. Underlying earnings before interest and tax came to $34m, down from $93m in the prior year period as platinum sales dropped 19% to 263,675 ounces.Today saw Deutsche Bank cut its target price for Lonmin from 350p to 330p, while JP Morgan reduced its from 460p to 380p.Having risen strongly yesterday after it was upgraded by Numis Securities to a 'buy' rating, WS Atkins was today lower following a round of profit-taking. Investment management and financial planning company Brewin Dolphin fell after saying it will take a one-off charge this year after deciding to pull the roll-out of the JHC Figaro software across the group. Brewin said it expects to register a £32m exceptional pre-tax impairment charge in the second half. FTSE 250 - RisersTaylor Wimpey (TW.) 114.40p +7.62%CSR (CSR) 585.50p +3.81%Ocado Group (OCDO) 335.70p +3.29%Fisher (James) & Sons (FSJ) 1,355.00p +2.65%Pace (PIC) 381.70p +2.61%Vedanta Resources (VED) 992.50p +2.53%Crest Nicholson Holdings (CRST) 360.60p +2.50%Computacenter (CCC) 662.00p +2.40%Foxtons Group (FOXT) 312.20p +2.36%BlackRock World Mining Trust (BRWM) 479.00p +2.31%FTSE 250 - FallersLonmin (LMI) 259.60p -4.28%Kazakhmys (KAZ) 249.60p -2.61%Man Group (EMG) 94.65p -2.42%Brewin Dolphin Holdings (BRW) 320.60p -2.08%Domino's Pizza Group (DOM) 518.00p -2.08%Go-Ahead Group (GOG) 1,960.00p -1.90%Bank of Georgia Holdings (BGEO) 2,503.00p -1.84%FirstGroup (FGP) 132.40p -1.78%Atkins (WS) (ATK) 1,324.00p -1.71%Ladbrokes (LAD) 145.70p -1.55%NR