FTSE 250 movers: Babcock, Ascential on the rise

(Sharecast News) - FTSE 250 20,033.38 0.08% at 1330 GMT. Defence company Babcock International said on Wednesday that it has been awarded a £400m contract to manage and operate Skynet, the UK Ministry of Defence's (MOD) military satellite communications system.

The six-year contract, which kicks off in March, is part of the MOD's £6bn Skynet 6 programme.

Skynet Service Delivery Wrap (Skynet SDW) will encompass the operation of the UK's constellation of military satellites and ground stations, including the integration of terminals into the MOD network, ensuring they are integrated and supported, Babcock said.

The company will partner with SES, GovSat and Intelsat on Skynet SDW.

Chief executive David Lockwood said: "We are delighted to have been chosen to support this world-leading technological safeguard. Skynet enables vital communications to the UK Armed Forces wherever they are, helping to keep them safe.

"Babcock is a world leader in secure communications for the military. Together with our partners, we will provide a high-tech solution which combines the availability, affordability and capability that the UK needs."

Ascential shares spiked higher on Wednesday following a report that the data and analytics company, which is undergoing a major restructuring, has hired JPMorgan Chase & Co. for a sale of its consumer trend-spotting business.

Bloomberg cited people familiar with the matter as saying that a potential sale of the WGSN unit, which offers paid-for subscriptions and bespoke consultancy services to help companies understand customer trends, could fetch about $1bn or more.

Sources said the business is likely to draw interest from private equity firms. It was understood that deliberations are in the early stages and no final decisions on a sale have been made.

A spokesperson for Ascential declined to comment on the story.

FTSE 250 - Risers

Network International Holdings (NETW) 278.80p 2.95% Carnival (CCL) 868.60p 2.60% CMC Markets (CMCX) 247.00p 2.28% Senior (SNR) 151.40p 2.16% Currys (CURY) 72.95p 1.81% Ascential (ASCL) 269.60p 1.74% Babcock International Group (BAB) 309.20p 1.71% Softcat (SCT) 1,262.00p 1.69% Darktrace (DARK) 260.60p 1.60% Drax Group (DRX) 646.50p 1.57%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Hammerson (HMSO) 28.95p -2.85% PZ Cussons (PZC) 188.00p -2.79% FirstGroup (FGP) 108.30p -2.43% Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 2,744.00p -2.35% Trainline (TRN) 255.40p -2.30% Virgin Money UK (VMUK) 180.05p -2.25% IP Group (IPO) 63.90p -2.14% Clarkson (CKN) 3,060.00p -2.08% Shaftesbury (SHB) 420.60p -1.91% Quilter (QLT) 92.52p -1.78%