The FTSE 250 climbed 0.4% after opening this morning to hit a new record high – at 18,670 points.
This mid-cap index – which is dominated by UK companies – has risen steadily in since mid-January and is up 3.4% since the start of the year. This compares to a rise of just 1.6% in the FTSE 100.
Many commentators have pointed out that gains in the larger blue chip index have been largely due to a weaker sterling. Many of the global companies that dominate the FTSE 100 earn revenue overseas, so have benefitted from a weaker pound.
In contrast the performance of the FTSE 250 is considered a better reflection of the state of the UK economy, as more of its constituents are UK-based mid-sized companies.
The rise this morning was led by a 6.5% rise in Elementis (ELM), the chemical group, after it unveiled plans to buy chemicals platform SummitReheis for $360 million (£288 million). Mineral company Kaz Minerals (KAZ) was also up by almost 5%, as was emerging market investment manager Ashmore (ASHM).
Earlier this week the FTSE 250 closed at a record high after the Bank of England deputy governor Kristin Forbes hinted at a future interest rate rise in the UK.
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