The FTSE 100 Index (Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index) is the most prominent stock market index in the United Kingdom and the primary benchmark of the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Comprising the largest publicly traded companies by market capitalization—often referred to as “blue chips”—the FTSE 100 reflects the performance of the top segment of the UK equity market. The index’s constituents collectively represent around 80% of the total market capitalization of all companies listed on the LSE. With a combined market value measured in trillions of US dollars, the FTSE 100 plays a crucial role in global financial markets, serving as both an economic indicator and an investment benchmark. Investors can track the FTSE 100 live on adaptive online charts and trade related financial instruments such as futures and options, which are widely available on major global trading platforms. Additionally, numerous ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) are designed to replicate the index’s performance, offering investors diversified exposure to the UK’s largest and most influential companies.
The FTSE 100 Index Live Chart is a fast, lightweight, and completely free online tool designed for convenient real-time technical analysis without the need to download any additional software. Built to satisfy even the most experienced traders, the platform offers access to over 100 professional charting instruments and more than 80 customizable technical indicators, all of which can be applied directly to the chart in just a couple of clicks. With such a broad range of features, the FTSE 100 live chart provides limitless opportunities for market analysis and informed trading decisions.
Technical Analysis FTSE 100 Index Futures
The FTSE 100 Index Technical Analysis widget is an advanced and user-friendly tool that delivers instant trading insights by summarizing signals from multiple technical indicators. Styled as a dynamic speedometer, it allows traders to quickly assess overall market sentiment without manually checking each indicator. The widget updates in real time and incorporates popular tools such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI), Stochastic Oscillator, Commodity Channel Index (CCI), Average Directional Index (ADX), Awesome Oscillator, Momentum, MACD, Stochastic RSI, Williams %R, Bull/Bear Power, Ultimate Oscillator, as well as moving averages like EMA, SMA, VWMA, HMA, and the Ichimoku Cloud Base Line. With this widget, traders can streamline their analysis and make faster, data-driven decisions on the FTSE 100 Index.
About FTSE 100 Index
The FTSE 100 Index, often referred to as the “Footsie”, is the leading benchmark of the UK stock market and one of the most recognised indices in Europe. It tracks the performance of the 100 largest companies by market capitalisation listed on the London Stock Exchange, representing the country’s blue-chip sector. The index is calculated and maintained by FTSE Russell, a subsidiary jointly owned by the London Stock Exchange and the Financial Times. As a barometer of the British economy and investor sentiment, the FTSE 100 is widely followed by traders, analysts, and institutions across global financial markets.
The FTSE 100 Index is composed of the 100 largest companies by market capitalisation listed on the London Stock Exchange, with a combined value of more than £2 trillion. The index is calculated based on the share prices of its constituents and serves as a benchmark for the UK economy. To be included, companies must meet strict requirements set by FTSE Group: they must be listed on the LSE, their shares must be denominated in pounds sterling, pass the nationality test, maintain a significant free float, and demonstrate high liquidity. Trading in FTSE 100 companies takes place from 08:00 to 16:29 GMT (GMT+1 in summer), with closing auction prices determined at 16:35 GMT, making it one of the most actively observed trading sessions in Europe.
The FTSE 100 Index is calculated in real time and updated every second while the market is open, providing investors and traders with the most accurate picture of price dynamics. This continuous calculation ensures that the index reflects the latest market conditions and responds instantly to price changes of its constituent companies.
The FTSE 100 is composed of the 100 largest qualifying UK companies by total market value. Market value is determined by multiplying the company’s share price by the total number of shares in circulation. As a result, the index includes major blue-chip companies across diverse sectors such as energy, finance, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications.
Despite being considered the benchmark indicator of the UK stock market, the FTSE 100 is often not a precise reflection of the domestic British economy. This is because many of the companies listed are internationally focused corporations that generate a significant share of their revenues outside the UK. Consequently, the movement of the index is strongly influenced by global market trends and fluctuations in the pound sterling exchange rate, rather than purely by local economic activity.
FTSE 100 Constituents (as of March 2025)
- 3i (III) – Financial services
- Admiral Group (ADM) – Insurance
- Airtel Africa (AAF) – Telecommunications services
- Alliance Witan (ALW) – Investment trusts
- Anglo American (AAL) – Mining
- Antofagasta (ANTO) – Mining
- Ashtead Group (AHT) – Support services
- Associated British Foods (ABF) – Food & tobacco
- AstraZeneca (AZN) – Pharmaceuticals & biotechnology
- Auto Trader Group (AUTO) – Media
- Aviva (AV) – Life insurance
- Babcock International (BAB) – Aerospace & defence
- BAE Systems (BA) – Aerospace & defence
- Barclays (BARC) – Banks
- Barratt Redrow (BTRW) – Construction
- Beazley (BEZ) – Insurance
- Berkeley Group Holdings (BKG) – Home construction
- BP (BP) – Oil & gas producers
- British American Tobacco (BATS) – Tobacco
- BT Group (BT-A) – Telecommunications services
- Bunzl (BNZL) – Support services
- Centrica (CNA) – Utilities
- Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) – Beverages
- Coca-Cola HBC (CCH) – Beverages
- Compass Group (CPG) – Support services
- Convatec (CTEC) – Health care equipment & supplies
- Croda International (CRDA) – Chemicals
- DCC (DCC) – Support services
- Diageo (DGE) – Beverages
- Diploma (DPLM) – Industrial support services
- Endeavour Mining (EDV) – Precious metals mining
- Entain (ENT) – Travel & leisure
- EasyJet (EZJ) – Travel & leisure
- Experian (EXPN) – Support services
- F & C Investment Trust (FCIT) – Collective investments
- Fresnillo (FRES) – Mining
- Games Workshop (GAW) – Leisure goods
- Glencore (GLEN) – Mining
- GSK (GSK) – Pharmaceuticals & biotechnology
- Haleon (HLN) – Pharmaceuticals & biotechnology
- Halma (HLMA) – Electronic equipment & parts
- Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) – Pharmaceuticals & biotechnology
- Hiscox (HSX) – Insurance
- Howdens Joinery (HWDN) – Construction supplies
- HSBC (HSBA) – Banks
- ICG (ICG) – Financial services
- IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) – Travel & leisure
- IMI (IMI) – Industrial engineering
- Imperial Brands (IMB) – Tobacco
- Informa (INF) – Media
- International Airlines Group (IAG) – Travel & leisure
- Intertek (ITRK) – Support services
- JD Sports (JD) – Retailers
- Kingfisher (KGF) – Retailers
- Land Securities (LAND) – REITs
- Legal & General (LGEN) – Life insurance
- Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) – Banks
- LondonMetric Property (LMP) – REITs
- London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) – Financial services
- M&G (MNG) – Financial services
- Marks & Spencer (MKS) – Food & drug retailing
- Melrose Industries (MRO) – Aerospace & defence
- Mondi (MNDI) – Containers & packaging
- National Grid (NG) – Utilities
- NatWest Group (NWG) – Banks
- Next (NXT) – Retailers
- Pearson (PSON) – Media
- Pershing Square Holdings (PSH) – Financial services
- Persimmon (PSN) – Home construction
- Phoenix Group (PHNX) – Life insurance
- Polar Capital Technology Trust (PCT) – Investment trusts
- Prudential (PRU) – Life insurance
- Reckitt (RKT) – Household goods
- RELX (REL) – Media
- Rentokil Initial (RTO) – Support services
- Rightmove (RMV) – Media
- Rio Tinto (RIO) – Mining
- Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR) – Aerospace & defence
- Sage Group (SGE) – Software & computer services
- Sainsbury’s (SBRY) – Food & drug retailing
- Schroders (SDR) – Financial services
- Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust (SMT) – Investment trusts
- Segro (SGRO) – REITs
- Severn Trent (SVT) – Utilities
- Shell (SHEL) – Oil & gas producers
- Smiths Group (SMIN) – Industrial goods & services
- Smith & Nephew (SN) – Health care equipment
- Spirax Group (SPX) – Industrial engineering
- SSE (SSE) – Power & utilities
- Standard Chartered (STAN) – Banks
- St. James’s Place (STJ) – Financial services
- Taylor Wimpey (TW) – Home construction
- Tesco (TSCO) – Food & drug retailing
- Unilever (ULVR) – Personal goods
- United Utilities (UU) – Utilities
- Unite Group (UTG) – REITs
- Vodafone Group (VOD) – Mobile telecommunications
- Weir Group (WEIR) – Industrial goods & services
- Whitbread (WTB) – Retail hospitality
- WPP (WPP) – Media
FTSE 100 Index Futures and Options
Derivatives on the FTSE 100 Index are among the most actively traded financial instruments in Europe. They allow investors to speculate on the future performance of the index or hedge existing equity positions. The most common derivatives are futures contracts and options.
FTSE 100 futures are standardized contracts that obligate the buyer or seller to trade the index at a predetermined price at a future date. They are widely used by institutional investors, hedge funds, and traders to gain exposure to the UK stock market without purchasing the underlying shares directly. Futures are traded on major exchanges such as the ICE Futures Europe and provide deep liquidity and transparency.
FTSE 100 options, on the other hand, give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell the index at a specified strike price before or on the expiration date. Options are flexible tools for implementing strategies ranging from hedging against market downturns to leveraging short-term market opportunities.
Both futures and options on the FTSE 100 index are quoted in pounds sterling and traded nearly around the clock on electronic platforms. These derivatives are essential instruments for portfolio managers who wish to manage risk, lock in profits, or diversify their trading strategies.
FTSE 100 Index Family
Like any major benchmark, the FTSE 100 has a wide range of related indices that help investors and analysts track different market segments, reinvested dividends, or specific capitalization tiers. Below is an overview of the main sub-indices in the FTSE 100 Index Family:
- FTSE 100 Total Return Index (TRIUKX) – takes into account dividend reinvestment in addition to price movements.
- FTSE 100 Net of Tax Index (UKXNUK) – similar to the TRIUKX but dividends are adjusted for tax.
- FTSE 250 Index (MCX) – covers companies ranked below the FTSE 100 in capitalization.
- FTSE 350 Index (NMX) – combines FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 components.
- FTSE All-Share Index (ASX) – broad UK market index covering 98–99% of total market capitalization.
- FTSE SmallCap (SMX) – reflects the performance of small-cap UK companies listed on LSE.
- FTSE Global All Cap (GEISAC) – includes ~7,400 companies of different sizes from 47 countries.
- FTSE All-World (FTAWORLDSR) – global index with ~3,900 stocks from over 45 countries.
- FTSE Global Small Cap (GEISSC) – tracks ~4,400 small-cap companies worldwide.
- FTSE Developed – reflects the performance of developed global markets.
- FTSE Emerging (AWALLE) – covers 1,000 stocks from emerging markets.
- FTSE AIM UK 50 Index (AIM5) – top 50 UK companies from the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
- FTSE AIM 100 Index (AIM1) – a broader AIM index with 100 UK companies.
- FTSE ORB Index – corporate bond index for the UK market.
- FTSE ORB Financials Index – bond index focused on UK financial companies.
- FTSE 100 Dividend Indices – track declared dividends, with versions adjusted for taxation (e.g. RDSA Withholding).
Popular FTSE 100 ETFs – Comparison Table
Below is a comparison of the most popular FTSE 100 ETFs available to investors. The table includes ticker symbols, providers, dividend policy, replication method, and total expense ratio (TER).
| ETF Name | Ticker | Provider | Type | Replication | TER (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF | ISF | BlackRock (iShares) | Distributing | Physical | 0.07 |
| Vanguard FTSE 100 UCITS ETF | VUKE | Vanguard | Distributing | Physical | 0.09 |
| HSBC FTSE 100 UCITS ETF | HUKX | HSBC | Distributing | Physical | 0.07 |
| Lyxor FTSE 100 UCITS ETF | L100 | Lyxor (Amundi) | Accumulating | Synthetic | 0.15 |
| Xtrackers FTSE 100 UCITS ETF | XDUK | DWS (Xtrackers) | Accumulating | Synthetic | 0.09 |
| L&G FTSE 100 Super Short Strategy | SUK2 | Legal & General | Inverse (-2x) | Swap-based | 0.50 |
| Xtrackers FTSE 100 Short Daily Swap | XUKS | DWS (Xtrackers) | Inverse (-1x) | Swap-based | 0.40 |
| UBS ETF FTSE 100 UCITS | UBUK | UBS | Acc/Dist | Physical | 0.18 |
FTSE 100 – Live Chart and Market Overview 📊🇬🇧
1. What is the FTSE 100 Index?
The FTSE 100 is a stock market index representing the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange by market capitalization.
2. How is the FTSE 100 calculated?
The index is weighted by market capitalization, meaning companies with higher market value have more influence on the index’s movements.
3. Where can I track FTSE 100 performance?
You can monitor the FTSE 100 on the London Stock Exchange, financial news websites, and real-time market platforms.
4. What factors influence FTSE 100 movements?
Global economic data, corporate earnings, interest rates, political events, and investor sentiment impact the index’s performance.
5. Which companies are included in the FTSE 100?
The index includes top UK companies from sectors like finance, energy, consumer goods, healthcare, and telecommunications, such as HSBC, BP, AstraZeneca, and Unilever.
6. Can I invest directly in the FTSE 100?
You cannot buy the index directly, but you can invest through ETFs, index funds, or derivatives that replicate the FTSE 100.
7. How often is the FTSE 100 updated?
The FTSE 100 is updated in real-time during London market hours, reflecting the latest trading data of its component companies.
8. How does the UK economy affect the FTSE 100?
Economic growth, corporate profits, and employment data influence the performance of the FTSE 100, as it reflects the UK’s top companies.
9. What role do interest rates play?
Higher UK interest rates can negatively impact stock prices, while lower rates may encourage investment and boost the index.
10. How do global events impact the FTSE 100?
Brexit developments, trade agreements, geopolitical tensions, and global market shifts can affect investor sentiment and the index performance.
11. How can technical analysis be used on the FTSE 100?
Traders use chart patterns, moving averages, and other technical indicators to analyze trends and predict future movements of the FTSE 100.
12. How do dividends influence the FTSE 100?
Dividends paid by FTSE 100 companies contribute to total returns for investors holding index-tracking ETFs or funds.
13. Can the FTSE 100 predict market trends?
The index reflects the health of top UK companies, but should be considered alongside global indices and economic indicators for market trend insights.
14. Are all sectors equally represented?
No, sectors like finance and energy often have larger market caps and greater influence on the FTSE 100 index.
15. Where can I find reliable FTSE 100 news?
Financial news platforms, the London Stock Exchange website, and market analytics portals provide accurate and timely updates on the FTSE 100.