FTSE 100 Index

The FTSE 100 Index, also called FTSE 100, FTSE, or, informally, the "footsie" ( /ˈfʊtsiː/), is a share index of the 100 companies listed on the London Stock Exchange with the highest market capitalisation. It is one of the most widely used stock indices and is seen as a gauge of business prosperity. The index is maintained by the FTSE Group, a subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange Group.

The index began on 3 January 1984 at the base level of 1000; the highest value reached to date is 6950.6, on 30 December 1999. After falling during the financial crisis of 2007-2010 to below 3500 in March 2009, the index recovered to a peak of 6091.33 on 8 February 2011, its highest since mid-2008. It fell under the 5000 mark on the morning of 23 September 2011. As of 21 October 2012 it was at 5896.15. (The graph to the right has been extrapolated back to 1969, presumably by reference to another index.)