In recent weeks, due to omicron, inflation and Ukraine, the FTSE 100 index has fallen just 3.68% below its year high whereas the FTSE 250 index is 13.13% below its year high (as at 18/03/22). To understand why this is, we need to compare the two indices.
FTSE 100 |
FTSE 250 |
Comment |
100 largest UK companies, collectively valued at £just under £2 trillion |
Next biggest 250 UK companies. 101st to 350th largest, collectively valued at just below £420 billion |
FTSE 100 companies are bigger, more established, and able to better ‘ride out’ volatility |
76% of trade is done overseas on a global basis |
49% of trade is overseas, mainly Europe and 51% is UK trade. |
FTSE 250 better reflects UK and European economic concerns whereas FTSE 100 reflects the global picture i.e., not affected as much by inflation, interest rates and Ukraine |
Slower recovery after lockdown rules relaxed in UK but not overseas, so lower growth rate post covid-19 lockdown |
Higher growth after lockdown rules relaxed as domestic markets, on which they rely, started to trade more again |
When the domestic economic outlook is good, FTSE 250 outperforms, when the domestic is gloomy compared to the rest of the World, FTSE 100 outperforms |
Therefore, you may make a valid argument that when/if the energy crisis and a Russia/Ukraine peace settlement is reached, FTSE 250 will recover faster. Is now the time to invest?
Contact Call Back Calculators Our Fees
This site makes use of cookies to personalise content and provide certain functionality. Our site will not function properly without it. The financialadvice.net cookie only retains the session id, we store no personal information in cookies. For more information please read our Privacy Policy
If you're unsure about cookies, what they are and how to protect yourself from harmful cookies, please see our Cookie Set Up information page.
OK