FTSE 250 movers: Gold miners shine

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 250 was down 0.2% at 19,739.17 in afternoon trade on Friday. Gold miners Hochschild, Centamin and Endeavour were the top performers on the index as gold prices surged.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "Gold prices extended their recent rally as investors took the view that the global market situation warranted owning the precious metal.

"Central banks have been busy stocking up on gold and investors have followed suit, believing that the asset will come in handy if we continue to see a volatile period on the markets as the timing for interest rate cuts is pushed further back."

Diversified Energy was the top riser as Brent crude remained above $90 a barrel amid tensions in the Middle East.

FTSE 250 - Risers

Diversified Energy Company (DEC) 1,167.00p 5.52% Endeavour Mining (EDV) 1,834.00p 4.32% Hochschild Mining (HOC) 148.80p 4.06% BlackRock World Mining Trust (BRWM) 562.00p 3.50% SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust (SEIT) 57.50p 3.42% IP Group (IPO) 48.70p 3.07% Drax Group (DRX) 512.00p 2.98% Centamin (DI) (CEY) 131.50p 2.81% Keller Group (KLR) 1,100.00p 2.80% Genus (GNS) 1,842.00p 2.79%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Supermarket Income Reit (SUPR) 71.90p -3.10% Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) 364.00p -2.41% Indivior (INDV) 1,599.00p -2.02% Bluefield Solar Income Fund Limited (BSIF) 97.70p -1.41% Kainos Group (KNOS) 985.00p -1.30% TP Icap Group (TCAP) 211.00p -1.17% FirstGroup (FGP) 172.70p -1.03% Hammerson (HMSO) 26.20p -0.98% IWG (IWG) 183.20p -0.97% Safestore Holdings (SAFE) 753.00p -0.92%