The FTSE 100 edged higher on Wednesday, with gains in Next and mining stocks offsetting a drag from lower Asia-focused finance stocks. The FTSE 250 ended up 173.33 points, 0.7%, at 24,632.63, while the AIM All-Share closed up 7.42 points, 1.0%, at 781.78. The UK composite PMI output index, combining manufacturing and services, rose to 52.2 points from 49.3 in June, also slightly above the flash estimate of 52.1. Earlier this week, data showed the UK manufacturing PMI eased to 51.9 in July from 52.5 in June. Brent oil for October delivery traded lower at 79.47 dollars a barrel on Wednesday afternoon, from 80.60 dollars late Tuesday.