FTSE 100 Index

The most highly capitalized companies listed on the London Stock Exchange are listed on the FTSE 100 index. In order to appear on the FTSE 100 Index, companies must meet a number of requirements put in place by the FTSE Group. Some of these requirements include having a full listing on the London Stock Exchange with a Sterling or Euro dominated price on SETS as well as meeting certain tests on nationality, free float, and liquidity.

Trading hours of the FTSE 100 lasts from 0800-1629, which is when the closing auction starts. When measuring the success of the British economy, the FTSE 100 is used as a indicator as it is the leading share index in Europe. The FTSE 100 originated as a joint venture between the Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange and is now an independent company, FTSE Group, which maintains the share index.