Why is the FTSE 100 important?
• It is seen as an indicator of success of the British economy. • The FTSE 100 is arguably the leading share index in Europe. • It is rumoured to account for around 80% of the UK share market. Interesting Facts: • It first traded on the 3rd January 1984 • The constituents of the index are reviewed on a quarterly basis and the current threshold for promotion into the FTSE 100 is around £2 billion market capitalisation. • The FTSE 100 is run and maintained by the FTSE Group but was originally set up as a joint venture between the Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange. This led to the abbreviation FTSE which stands for Financial Times Stock Exchange. • FTSE is pronounced footsie • The FTSE 100 has trading times of 0800 – 1629 with the closing values being recorded at 1635. • It’s highest ever value (at time of writing) was 6950.6 and was set on December 30, 1999.
