Investec was boosted by Morgan Stanley's decision to upgrade the stock to overweight.

Bookmaker William Hill was also a high riser after saying its good performance continued into its final quarter after strong trading in retail and online. Net revenue grew by 12% in the 53 weeks to January 1st while operating profit was up 20%.

3i, the international investor focused on mid-market private equity, has told the market that Sherborne Investors, which describes itself as a 'turnaround investment firm', has built up its stake in the FTSE 250 company.

Consumer products giant PZ Cussons fell despite posting a rise in profits in line with market expectations. The company, which owns Original Source shampoo, Morning Fresh washing up liquid and Imperial Leather soap, reported a 9.7% increase in profits before tax of £44.1m for the six months to November. Panmure Gordon said that results were in line with forecasts.

Miner Centamin was a big faller as a result of reports of violence in Egypt.

Under-pressure coal miner Bumi plc fell as its boardroom battles escalate. The group this morning recommended shareholders vote against resolutions put forward by founder Nathaniel Rothschild to get rid of most of the company's directors, saying that the proposed changes are "not the way forward".

Diamond producer Petra also dropped despite reporting a 54% rise in first-half revenue. The company said that production had increased by 31% to 1.2m carats in the first six months of the year.


FTSE 250 - Risers
SVG Capital (SVI) 318.10p +2.94%
Investec (INVP) 472.80p +2.76%
3i Group (III) 266.00p +2.74%
Electra Private Equity (ELTA) 2,254.00p +2.73%
William Hill (WMH) 374.40p +2.18%
Smith (DS) (SMDS) 223.30p +2.15%
Regus (RGU) 118.00p +1.90%
Dairy Crest Group (DCG) 423.30p +1.80%
Drax Group (DRX) 595.50p +1.79%
Mondi (MNDI) 746.00p +1.77%

FTSE 250 - Fallers
Centamin (DI) (CEY) 52.40p -7.01%
PZ Cussons (PZC) 375.00p -4.92%
New World Resources A Shares (NWR) 290.90p -4.59%
Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) 114.90p -4.25%
Bumi (BUMI) 329.10p -3.57%
Supergroup (SGP) 571.50p -3.46%
Synergy Health (SYR) 1,081.00p -3.31%
Petropavlovsk (POG) 348.70p -3.00%
Dunelm Group (DNLM) 738.50p -2.83%
Hunting (HTG) 831.50p -2.81%

NR

Related share prices
3i Group (III) share price
PZ Cussons (PZC) share price
Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) share price
William Hill (WMH) share price
Investec (INVP) share price
Centamin (DI) (CEY) share price
Bumi (BUMI) share price