Renishaw, the measurement and medical device manufacturer, surged into the top spot on news the firm's revenues rose 11% in the first half. Geographically, revenue in Europe increased by 25% over the comparable period and the Americas were ahead by 23%.

Bookshop and newsagent chain WH Smith was also in demand despite the fact decline in like-for-like sales eased in the final month of 2011. An improvement had been expected over the longer period, however, given that the company was facing soft comparatives from December 2010, when the UK was hit by severe weather conditions which made travel difficult.

Meawnhile, Hunting was leading the way lower, pulling back after an earlier surge this week following its bullish trading statement in which it raised full-year guidance. The stock hit a 52-week closing high of 843p on Monday.

Gold miners were also out of favour tracking the price of the yellow metal lower, as the dollar strengthened ahead of a Federal Reserve announcement. Centamin, Allied Gold Mining and Hochschild Mining were among the worst performers.


FTSE 250 - Risers
Renishaw (RSW) 1,361.00p +17.84%
Halfords Group (HFD) 324.20p +5.26%
WH Smith (SMWH) 554.00p +4.14%
Afren (AFR) 123.10p +3.97%
Regus (RGU) 93.45p +3.66%
Ashtead Group (AHT) 228.80p +3.20%
Savills (SVS) 321.50p +3.08%
Ocado Group (OCDO) 82.60p +3.06%
Imagination Technologies Group (IMG) 568.50p +2.99%
Cookson Group (CKSN) 570.50p +2.79%

FTSE 250 - Fallers
Hunting (HTG) 796.50p -4.04%
Phoenix Group Holdings (DI) (PHNX) 561.50p -3.19%
Centamin (DI) (CEY) 94.35p -2.98%
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 702.00p -2.90%
Merchants Trust (MRCH) 370.40p -2.78%
Allied Gold Mining (ALD) 151.00p -2.58%
Domino Printing Sciences (DNO) 568.50p -2.57%
Hochschild Mining (HOC) 482.90p -2.44%
City of London Inv Trust (CTY) 285.40p -2.33%
Talvivaara Mining Company (TALV) 335.80p -2.10%

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Related share prices
Allied Gold Mining (ALD) share price
Hunting (HTG) share price
Renishaw (RSW) share price
Centamin (DI) (CEY) share price
WH Smith (SMWH) share price
Hochschild Mining (HOC) share price