FTSE 250 movers: Helios surges; TBC tanks

(Sharecast News) - Helios Towers surged as it tightened its full-year guidance upwards and announced the next phase of its strategy, which includes the launch of a $75m share buyback.

Watches of Switzerland rallied as it posted a jump in first-half revenue, hailing a particularly strong performance in the US.

Tate & Lyle also racked up solid gains on the back of results.

RS Group has said it expects to hit full-year targets after performing as expected in the first half ended 30 September, with both revenues and adjusted profits slipping on the back of continued weak market conditions.

The industrial and electrical products group reported revenues of £1.40bn for the six-month period, down 3% over the year before.

Shares in TBC Bank tanked after the Georgia and Uzbekistan-focused banking group said it expects profits to be slightly below targets this year.

While reporting solid income, profit and customer deposit growth over the third quarter, the firm's near-term outlook disappointed.

"The year has [...] clearly had its challenges, with the previously flagged headwinds in 1H, while in 2H, we have pivoted our business from microloans to SME lending more quickly than previously anticipated in line with the changing regulatory agenda," said chief executive Vakhtang Butskhrikidze.

Trade kitchen supplier Howden Joinery said on Thursday that it was on track to meet full-year profit expectations as it reported a rise in first-half sales despite a challenging market.

The company said in an update that reported group sales were up 2.8% on the same period a year earlier, and 1.4% higher on a same depot basis, with gains in both price and volume.

Trade customers benefited from its "market-leading product line up, high stock availability and outstanding customer service", it said.

FTSE 250 - Risers

Helios Towers (HTWS) 178.60p 15.23% RS Group (RS1) 591.00p 6.97% Ceres Power Holdings (CWR) 391.60p 5.33% Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) 405.40p 3.95% Tate & Lyle (TATE) 391.80p 3.65% OSB Group (OSB) 544.00p 3.42% Hochschild Mining (HOC) 331.40p 3.37% Endeavour Mining (EDV) 3,068.00p 2.54% Raspberry PI Holdings (RPI) 360.10p 2.48% Derwent London (DLN) 1,789.00p 1.88%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Ashmore Group (ASHM) 171.50p -8.48% TBC Bank Group (TBCG) 3,955.00p -7.92% Howden Joinery Group (HWDN) 830.00p -4.71% Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 998.50p -3.53% Softcat (SCT) 1,526.00p -3.48% Chemring Group (CHG) 544.00p -3.37% Genus (GNS) 2,400.00p -2.83% QinetiQ Group (QQ.) 449.40p -2.52% Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 60.20p -2.43% NCC Group (NCC) 146.00p -2.41%