FTSE 250 movers: THG slumps, while Howden Joinery and Travis Perkins rise

(Sharecast News) - The FTSE 250 was trading marginally higher on Tuesday, though a mixed reaction to a barrage of corporate updates and results were keeping gains in check. Ecommerce group THG was the biggest mover of the day, slumping 9% after reporting lower revenue and widened losses for 2024. Chief executive Matthew Moulding described 2024 as a year of "change and evolution", but said the company was now more efficient following operational improvements and a major restructuring.

Howden Joinery surged 6% on plans to open 20 to 25 new depots in the UK this year and refurbish around 60 older locations as it announced that trading in the first four months of the year was in line with expectations.

Builders' merchant Travis Perkins gained after a better-than-expected performance in the first quarter, with like-for-like sales falling by just 2.1%, compared with the 4.0% decline expected by analysts.

Troubled transport operator Mobico was under further selling pressure after revealing that its chief executive Ignacio Garat would be stepping down, days after the company issued a profit alert that send its shares plunging by more than 40%.

Building materials group Breedon underwhelmed with a first-quarter update despite backing its full-year expectations and posting a 9% rise in revenue. Underlying demand levels remained "supportive", though challenging weather conditions impacted operations in the US, it said.

Telecom Plus edged higher as it delivered record customer growth, profits, and dividend increases in its financial year ended 31 March, with guidance for the current year reiterated.

Cybersecurity firm NCC Group rose after reporting that it is exploring a number of options for its Escoe business, including a potential sale. In a statement responding to press speculation, the company said the process is at a very early stage.

Real estate services firm Savills slipped on the news that chief executive Mark Ridley will retire at the end of 2025 after a 29-year career with the group.

The market gave a muted reaction to first-quarter results from chemicals business Elementis which said that both profit growth and margin improvement were in line with expectations.

FTSE 250 - Risers

Howden Joinery Group (HWDN) 784.50p 6.16% Travis Perkins (TPK) 552.50p 4.54% Raspberry PI Holdings (RPI) 432.90p 3.07% Pets at Home Group (PETS) 235.60p 2.88% Great Portland Estates (GPE) 313.50p 2.45% ITV (ITV) 79.15p 2.39% Kier Group (KIE) 145.00p 2.11% Crest Nicholson Holdings (CRST) 179.60p 2.10% QinetiQ Group (QQ.) 392.40p 2.08% FirstGroup (FGP) 170.00p 2.04%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

THG (THG) 25.68p -9.13% Breedon Group (BREE) 422.60p -5.84% Mobico Group (MCG) 32.24p -3.99% Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 69.30p -3.41% Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) 349.00p -3.27% Harbour Energy (HBR) 152.20p -2.93% Genus (GNS) 1,564.00p -2.49% Plus500 Ltd (DI) (PLUS) 3,002.00p -2.21% IG Group Holdings (IGG) 1,040.00p -2.16% Ferrexpo (FXPO) 58.00p -2.03%