LONDON (ShareCast) - Dana Petroleum is given a boost by Goldman Sachs, which ups its rating on the Scottish oil and gas explorer to ‘buy’ from ‘neutral’.

The broker said the recent sell-off of Dana shares has been overdone, giving the stock 68% upside to its target price, which has been raised to 2,140p from 2,075p.

A Goldman upgrade also boosts electronics and technology firm Laird. The broker now has a ‘buy’ rating on Laird, from ‘neutral’ previously.

Positive broker coverage from Evolution boosts the IT systems provider Aveva.

Debenhams slips back after Altium Securities lowered its rating on the department store to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ on valuation grounds. The company, which brought forward a trading statement to June to reassure investors it was not in trouble after a tumble in its share price, enjoyed a strong rally in July.

Not all Goldman’s coverage is positive today; construction and support services firm Carillion slips back after the broker cuts its target price to 420p from 430p.

FTSE 250 - Risers
Talvivaara Mining Company (TALV) 287.50p +9.21%
Johnston Press (JPR) 65.25p +8.75%
Barratt Developments (BDEV) 120.50p +7.59%
Dana Petroleum (DNX) 1,346.00p +5.40%
JKX Oil & Gas (JKX) 362.00p +4.93%
Aricom (ORE) 50.25p +4.69%
Meggitt (MGGT) 213.50p +4.66%
Aveva Group (AVV) 1,392.00p +3.88%
Laird (LRD) 323.75p +2.94%
Persimmon (PSN) 349.00p +2.80%

FTSE 250 - Fallers
Debenhams (DEB) 53.00p -7.83%
DS Smith (SMDS) 117.75p -7.47%
Homeserve (HSV) 1,446.00p -6.23%
Moneysupermarket.com (MONY) 94.50p -5.03%
Senior (SNR) 104.25p -4.79%
Carillion (CLLN) 278.25p -4.71%
Helical Bar (HLCL) 318.75p -4.42%
Halma (HLMA) 195.00p -4.18%
Daejan Holdings (DJAN) 2,761.00p -4.07%
Melrose Resources (MRS) 395.50p -3.77%

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