FTSE 100 closes at record high for third straight day, focus on Jackson Hole

By Ragini Mathur

Aug 21 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 closed at a record high for the third straight day on Thursday with healthcare stocks leading the gains, while fresh economic data reinforced signs of resilience in the UK economy.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 <.FTSE 100> closed up 0.2%, reversing losses earlier in the session.

Meanwhile, the midcap index FTSE 250 .FTMC posted a 0.3% decline.

Heavyweight healthcare .FTNMX351020 shares rose 0.4%, propelling the broader market higher.

Aerospace and defence companies .FTNMX502010 also strengthened 1.6%.

The energy sector .FTNMX601010 was up 0.4% as oil prices gained, bolstered by signs of strong demand in the U.S. and uncertainty over efforts to end the war in Ukraine. O/R

The FTSE 100 hit a record close on Tuesday and Wednesday, benefiting from a market rotation away from technology stocks that triggered a selloff on Wall Street earlier this week.

"It's not too often that the FTSE 100’s lack of technology exposure is a virtue but it has been this week," said AJ Bell investment analyst Dan Coatsworth.

On Thursday, industrial .FTNMX551020 and precious .FTNMX551030 metal mining companies also boosted the blue-chip index by advancing 0.8% and 1.9%, respectively.

Adding to the upbeat mood, PMI data for August revealed British businesses are having their strongest month in a year thanks to a rebound in the dominant services sector.

Further, Britain's public borrowing in the financial year so far has matched forecasts, underpinning the government's tax and spending plans.

Global markets now turn their attention to the U.S. Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole symposium, with investors awaiting Fed Chair Jerome Powell's Friday address for clues about a potential September interest rate cut.

Among individual movers, travel retailer WH Smith SMWH.L slumped 42.3% and was on track for its worst single-day decline on record, after it lowered its annual profit outlook.

Stocks including InterContinental Hotels Group IHG.L, Schroders SDR.L, Entain ENT.L and Mondi MNDI.L fell over 1% as they traded ex-dividend.

For related prices, Reuters users may click on - *  UK stock report     .L     FTSE index:         0#.FTS6  techMARK 100 index: .FTT1X         FTSE futures:     0#FFI:  Gilt futures:       0#FLG:         Smallcap index:    .FTSC  FTSE 250 index:     .FTMC          FTSE 350 index:    .FTLC  Market digest:      .AD.L          Top 10 by vol:     .AV.L  Top price gainers:  .NG.L          Top % gainers:     .PG.L  Top price losers:   .NL.L          Top % losers:      .PL.L 
     * For related news, click on - * UK hot stocks:      HOT and GB     Wall Street:          .N Gilts report:       GB/            Euro bond report GVD/EUR Pan European stock report: .EU Tokyo stocks:       .T             HK stocks:           .HK Sterling report:    GBP/           Dollar report:      USD/
     * For company prices, click on - * Company directory:  UKEQ          By sector:          FTAX 
     * For pan-European market data, click on - * European Equities speed guide................ EUR/EQUITY  FTSE Eurotop 300 index........................... .FTEU3  DJ STOXX index................................... .STOXX  Top 10 STOXX sectors........................ .PGL.STOXXS  Top 10 EUROSTOXX sectors................... .PGL.STOXXES  Top 10 Eurotop 300 sectors.................. .PGL.FTEU3S  Top 25 European pct gainers.................... .PG.PEUR  Top 25 European pct losers..................... .PL.PEUR