UK-focused FTSE 250 rises to fresh high | Business

The FTSE 250, which is seen as a better gauge of the British economy given the more domestic focus of its constituents, rose to a new high for the third day in a row.

The index, which includes companies such as Royal Mail and Marks & Spencer, was up 64.26 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 22,419.71 in late morning trading.

It caps a remarkable run for the FTSE 250, which is up almost 10 per cent this year and has gained more than 65 per cent since the coronavirus crash last March.

The FTSE 100, home to Britain’s biggest listed businesses, rose 17.17 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 6,956.75: its best for nearly 14 months.

Housebuilders were among the winners amid suggestions