Can the FTSE 250 Break Higher? Playtech Gains Amid Shifting Mid-Cap Sentiment

The FTSE 250 index recorded a modest gain during Tuesday's trading session, reflecting a day of varied performance across the UK’s mid-cap sector.

The index climbed by 0.55% to finish at 23,469.30, despite the FTSE 100 declining, as investors weighed positive corporate updates against localised sector weaknesses and broader economic signals.

Ahead of Wednesday's open, the index looks to aim to break higher after bouncing from a key level around 23,088. However, it faces some resistance around the 23,520 mark.

Leading the previous session's charge was gambling software giant Playtech, which saw its share price surge by 10.2% to become the day’s standout performer.

Other notable gains were seen in Oxford Instruments, up 4.5%, and the advertising group WPP, which rose 5.4%. Luxury carmaker Aston Martin Lagonda also found favor with investors, posting a 4.9% increase, while asset manager Ashmore Group added 2.6%.

These gains provided a solid foundation for the index, helping to offset the initial caution felt in the U.S. markets at the open.

Conversely, the session was less favorable for MONY Group, which sat at the bottom of the heatmap after its shares tumbled by 8.61%.

The price comparison specialist faced significant selling pressure, leading a pack of fallers that included media firm Future, which dropped 3%. Trading platform Plus500 also experienced a retreat, with its stock declining by 2.9%, while Funding Circle slipped 2.7%.

Despite these sharp individual losses, the strength of the top-tier gainers ensured the index closed in positive territory, marking a resilient day for London’s secondary market.