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Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

FTSE 250 movers: Royal Mail hit by FedEx crossfire; National Express motors

(Sharecast News) - The FTSE 250 was down 0.47% to 18,797.52 at 1440 BST.

Leading the fallers was Royal Mail, where the stock was hammered by the negative read-across in markets from US peer FedEx's decision to withdraw its full-year guidance after Thursday's close.

The US outfit also guided analysts towards fiscal first quarter profits of $3.44 on sales of $23.3bn. That compared to consensus forecasts from FactSet for $5.14 and $23.6bn, respectively.

It cited "macroeconomic weakness" in Asia and "service challenges" in Europe.

FedEx said volumes fell around the world during its first quarter, worsening towards the end of the three-month stretch and business conditions were expected "to further weaken" in the second quarter.

Sales were seen coming in at between $23.5-24.0bn in the second quarter for earnings per share of $2.75 "or greater".

Analysts on the Street on the other hand had penciled-in sales of $24.9bn and EPS of $5.48.

The company was next due to announce results on 22 September, when it could update its forecasts and outline cost-cutting plans.

Bus operator National Express shares continued to benefit from the company's ticket-booking deal with taxi app Uber, which is looking to expand into coach and train travel.

The sell-off in Darktrace stock continued on Friday the US private equity firm Thoma Bravo walked away from a potential takeover of the British artificial intelligence and cybersecurity company.

FTSE 250 - Risers

National Express Group (NEX) 197.70p 5.95% Jupiter Fund Management (JUP) 108.20p 5.56% IWG (IWG) 142.85p 4.84% Provident Financial (PFG) 188.20p 3.98% Polymetal International (POLY) 230.00p 3.14% Currys (CURY) 64.65p 3.03% Hammerson (HMSO) 21.51p 2.62% Telecom Plus (TEP) 1,774.00p 2.54% FirstGroup (FGP) 121.10p 2.19% UK Commercial Property Reit Limited (UKCM) 67.20p 2.13%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Royal Mail (RMG) 224.10p -10.32% Darktrace (DARK) 351.80p -8.00% Chrysalis Investments Limited NPV (CHRY) 61.40p -5.68% XP Power Ltd. (DI) (XPP) 1,838.00p -4.87% WH Smith (SMWH) 1,409.50p -3.95% Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 1,997.00p -3.90% Discoverie Group (DSCV) 728.00p -3.83% Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 173.05p -3.81% Ferrexpo (FXPO) 150.00p -3.41% Biffa (BIFF) 372.40p -3.32%

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Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

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